Warning Signs of a Brain Injury After an Accident
After a car crash or a fall, most people focus on obvious injuries like broken bones or cuts. However, some of the most serious injuries may not show immediate physical signs. Brain injuries, in particular, can develop quietly, with symptoms that appear hours or even days after the accident.
Each March, Brain Injury Awareness Month brings attention to the serious impact traumatic brain injuries can have on individuals and families. It also serves as a reminder of how important it is to recognize the symptoms of a brain injury after an accident and seek medical care when something doesn’t feel right.
What Is a Brain Injury?
A brain injury occurs when the brain is damaged in a way that affects its function. Because the brain controls everything from memory and movement to mood and coordination, even a relatively mild injury can have noticeable effects.
Brain injuries can range from mild to severe, depending on the type of trauma and how much damage occurs. Some examples include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), like concussions, are among the most common types of brain injuries after an accident
- Contusions, or bruising of the brain, caused by a direct impact
- Diffuse axonal injuries, which occur when the brain rapidly shifts or rotates inside the skull
- Penetrating brain injuries, which occur when an object breaks through the skull and damages brain tissue
While some brain injuries may heal with proper rest and medical care, others can cause long-term complications that affect a person’s daily life, ability to work, and overall well-being.
Since symptoms are not always obvious right away, many accident victims may not realize they have suffered a brain injury until much longer after the incident.
How Brain Injuries Happen in Accidents
You don't have to hit your head on the windshield to suffer a life-altering TBI. In a rear-end collision, your brain can "slosh" against the front and back of your skull—a medical phenomenon called a coup-contrecoup injury. This can cause microscopic tearing of brain fibers that a standard ER X-ray will never see.
Even when safety features like seatbelts and airbags reduce the severity of an impact, the force of the collision can still cause the brain to move abruptly, resulting in an injury.
Warning Signs of a Brain Injury
Brain injury symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the injury and the areas of the brain affected. Some symptoms appear immediately, while others may take time to develop. Common warning signs to watch for after an accident include:
- Persistent or worsening headaches
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating
- Slurred speech
- Memory problems
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Blurred vision
- Unusual fatigue or sleepiness
- Mood changes, irritability, or personality shifts
A brain injury can change a life in a heartbeat. In a historic $20 million verdict handled by our firm, a 15-year-old was struck by a falling crossbar at a Las Vegas playground. He immediately lost consciousness and woke up unable to move his right arm, a direct result of trauma to the left side of the brain. While some signs are that dramatic, others, like the severe migraines, anxiety, and memory loss he continues to battle, are the "invisible" consequences that require lifelong care.
Why Brain Injury Symptoms Are Sometimes Delayed
In a high-energy environment like Las Vegas, adrenaline is even more likely to mask a serious injury. Whether you were hit on the Strip or involved in a crash near Summerlin, your body’s "fight or flight" response can hide a throbbing headache or mental fogginess for 24 to 48 hours. Don't mistake a temporary lack of pain for a lack of injury.
One of the reasons brain injuries can be serious is that symptoms do not always appear right away. After the adrenaline of an accident subsides, new symptoms may develop over time. Swelling in the brain, internal bleeding, or other complications can take hours or days to fully present symptoms.
Don't ignore "smaller" changes, such as insomnia or muscle spasms. In the case of our $20 million trial, these symptoms were part of the profound "pain and suffering" the jury recognized. Whether it’s a high-impact crash or a premises liability case, these ongoing struggles are what prove the true depth of a brain injury to a Clark County jury.
Get a Las Vegas Attorney Brain Injury Lawyer Who Will Fight for You
Insurance companies in Nevada are notorious for arguing that if you didn't go to the ER immediately, you aren't actually hurt. At Lasso Injury Law LLC, we help you bridge that gap by connecting your delayed symptoms to the initial crash, ensuring the "invisible" damage to your brain is documented as clearly as a broken bone.
Attorney Al Lasso and his dedicated legal team hold negligent parties accountable. In the Lamplight Village HOA case, we uncovered that the association skipped a $150/month safety inspection despite having half a million dollars in the bank. That negligence resulted in a $10 million punitive damage award. We bring that same relentless investigation to every Las Vegas car accident and brain injury claim we handle.
If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in a Las Vegas accident, get an attorney who knows how to handle high-stakes cases. Contact us today for a free consultation to get started.
"Highly recommended. Very helpful and efficient. He had my problems resolved in a little under 2 weeks. It’s hard to find trustworthy lawyers in Las Vegas; he is definitely one you can trust for any of your legal matters. Thank you again!!!!!" - Natalie D. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
