Traumatic brain injuries and car accidents
If you have been in a motor vehicle accident, chances are you got jostled around. Muscle pain in the neck and back is somewhat normal due to the sudden movement of your head and upper body forward and then back. Whiplash is often the cause of pain in the muscles and typically heals within days. Aside from this, you should also be paying very close attention to your head.
It does not take a great deal of force to cause whiplash, and that same quick snap of the neck may also result in a brain injury. Further, if you hit your head on the airbag, ceiling, window or any other part of your vehicle, even if it seemed minor at the time, you may want to see a doctor.
TBIs require less force than you think
You may think that you have to receive a massive blow to the head or knocked unconscious to sustain a brain injury. In fact, this is not the case. Car accidents are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury in people ages 15 to 44. Some of the symptoms of traumatic brain injury include the following:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Insomnia
In higher-impact collisions, the rate of traumatic brain injury increases. Rollovers, accidents where seat belts were not used and head-on collisions are all more likely to result in a traumatic brain injury. If you have been in a motor vehicle accident, it is a good idea to have a doctor examine you, even if it is days after. Tell your doctor the type of motor vehicle accident you were in and if you have any symptoms of traumatic brain injury.
Your health should be a priority
Motor vehicle collisions account for a large portion of traumatic brain injuries. Not all accidents result in permanent injury, but it is better to be cautious and have a doctor examine you. You may not think a little bump on the head can do much harm, but you want the documentation available if an injury does worsen down the line.