A traumatic brain injury often is the result of a Connecticut car accident. A TBI happens from a hard blow to the head from impact, and sometimes penetrates the skull. Injuries classify as mild, moderate, and severe, each with a different set of symptoms.
Mild TBI symptoms
Mild TBIs make up about 75% of all TBI injuries, and they are commonly closed injuries, which do not penetrate the skull. An example of a mild TBI is a concussion, which causes the brain to move back and forth. Sometimes, a patient may lose consciousness, but loss of awareness doesn’t have to occur.
Common physical symptoms of a mild TBI include headache, blurry vision, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, trouble staying awake, speech issues, and loss of balance. The patient may sleep more than normal or not sleep, and experience mood changes, anxiety, and memory issues. A mild TBI seldom causes long-term issues if they get proper treatment.
Moderate to severe TBI
A moderate to severe TBI often causes changes in brain function for more than a few minutes. These injuries are more likely to be open, meaning the injury penetrates the skull. A mild TBI often causes a loss of consciousness for 30 minutes, but commonly does not exceed 24 hours. A severe TBI commonly causes loss of consciousness for 24 hours or more.
A moderate to severe TBI include the symptoms of a mild TBI plus:
- Persistent headaches that do not improve
- Continued nausea or vomiting
- Dilation in one or both eyes
- Arm or leg weakness or tingling
- Seizures
- Convulsions
- Trouble waking up
The patient may display more agitation and confusion, or focusing issues and sitting still. Children commonly experience the same TBI symptoms as adults, but they may cry persistently and can’t be consoled, lose interest in activities, or show a change in nursing and eating habits.
After a motor vehicle accident, injured occupants need to see a doctor as soon as possible, because some injuries do not immediately produce symptoms. If the crash was caused by the negligence of another motorist, they might also want to subsequently discuss their situation with an attorney.
