When a motor vehicle collision occurs in Illinois, those involved must closely monitor their health in the days and weeks that follow the incident. It is, of course, imperative to seek medical attention after an accident. However, even after doing so, new symptoms may arise later that suggest a potentially serious underlying injury, such as brain trauma, that might not have been detectable in the immediate aftermath of the crash.
As time passes, a recovering accident victim should start to feel a bit better each day. If recovery is not progressing or new symptoms develop, it is always best to seek additional medical care, especially if symptoms are associated with possible brain injury. The sooner such injuries are diagnosed and treated, the better long-term outcome there might be.
Report these symptoms to a PCP or emergency room doctor
If new symptoms arise following a car accident, a patient will want to schedule an immediate appointment with a primary care physician or return to the emergency room. The following list includes five signs of brain trauma that should never be ignored:
- Fluid (dark or clear) leaking from an orifice, such as the nose or ears
- Nausea or vomiting
- Mood swings or difficulty controlling emotions
- Confusion, memory deficit or incoherent speech
- Vision problems
In addition to these five symptoms, there are numerous other conditions that may arise days or weeks after a motor vehicle collision that may be associated with a traumatic brain injury.
Getting much-needed care following a brain injury
The normal course of treatment for a concussion typically includes staying in a darkened and quiet room and avoiding physical activity or anything that requires mental focus. For a more severe brain injury, like a skull fracture or cerebral spinal fluid leak, additional treatment may be necessary. In fact, many brain injury patients need at-home assistance for the rest of their lives. Illinois law allows accident victims whose injuries were caused by driver negligence to seek restitution for damages by filing a legal claim in civil court.