A severe injury is not always obvious right away. For example, there are many kinds of back injuries which many people leave alone without having a doctor look at them, only to find later that they have caused permanent damage due to a lack of medical treatment. Subtle symptoms in sensitive parts of your body, such as your head, are important to keep an eye on and have checked by a professional to be absolutely sure you are healthy, especially after an accident.
When to See a Doctor
You may not be sure if your symptoms after an accident are severe enough to visit an emergency room or urgent care facility, or even just warrant a visit to your doctor. If you have any doubt, it’s always better to be checked out, especially when you suspect that you hit your head in an accident and might have suffered a traumatic brain injury.
While many accidents can leave you with a headache or feeling dizzy for a few hours or a day without any complications, there is a chance that a head injury is much worse than you initially thought. A concussion has the potential to cause bleeding and clotting in the brain which can be life-threatening if left untreated. If you are worried about your symptoms, or you think they are getting worse, it is recommended that you seek care immediately. Potential symptoms to look for include:
- Fainting
- Loss of memory
- Vomiting
- Seizure
- Headache, especially if it worsens over time
- Unusual behavior
When helping someone else determine if their injuries are severe or not, you can use the Glasgow Coma Scale. This test measures verbal and motor response, as well as eye opening speed and ability. The higher the score, the less severe the injury is likely to be. This can give you some peace of mind that waiting for an appointment with a primary physician is reasonable, rather than rushing to the emergency room.
After Seeing Your Doctor
After you have obtained medical help to stabilize your health, depending on what type of accident you were involved in, you might consider seeking the help of a lawyer, like a brain injury lawyer in Memphis, TN. Whether it was a car accident that was caused by another driver, or a workplace accident, incurring a TBI is not something to be taken lightly — particularly if your doctor expects the injury to require extensive recovery time or to develop into permanent disability. Understand your rights to fair compensation from the other party’s insurance, and if this does not seem possible, filing a lawsuit may be a possibility.
Thanks to Darrell Castle and Associates, PLLC for their insight into what to do when you suspect a traumatic brain injury.