Maryland auto accidents are leading cause of head injuries

We frequently associate Rockville car crashes with whiplash, back pain and bruised limbs ... but what about head injuries?

Head injuries are a serious consequence of Maryland auto accidents. In fact, car accidents are one of the top three causes of all Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Falls and firearm accidents are the other top two causes.

Overall, about 1.5 million people in the U.S. suffer some type of TBI each year. Thousands are left with a long-term disability or permanent damage.

You should know that not all head injuries require a blow to the head. The brain shaking around inside your head - from the sudden impact of a Rockville accident - can cause serious damage too. Your head does not need to come into contact with another object for a TBI to occur. Violent motion can be all that it takes.

Auto accidents happen in a matter of seconds, and it can be difficult to remember exactly what happened. If you think you or a loved one who was involved in a Maryland car accident might be exhibiting signs of a head injury, don't hesitate to tell your doctor.

Some head injuries are more obvious than others. Large welts or bleeding are easy to identify as head injuries. Injuries like a brain bleed (cerebral hemorrhage) or concussion, however, can be difficult to spot at first. Unfortunately, it is possible for the less obvious brain injuries to be the most severe. Many serious brain injuries are not immediately obvious, with initial symptoms varying from a headache to memory loss and confusion.

Symptoms of a head injury may not appear until weeks later, especially if you are focused on other parts of the body that hurt. For that reason, it's important to recognize the following possible symptoms of traumatic brain or head injuries and to be on the lookout for them in the weeks following an accident:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Chronic fatigue
• Vision problems
• Ringing ears
• Difficulty speaking
• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Sleepiness

No two head injuries are the same, making them difficult to diagnose. The symptoms also vary greatly, and it can be easy to miss or dismiss head injury symptoms as a minor side effect of the accident.

If you suspect a head injury at all, notify your doctor immediately. The longer a head injury goes untreated, the harder it may be to reverse the damage. Prolonged swelling of the brain or meninges can cause permanent disability.

Get the medical help you need immediately, and then consider talking to a Rockville accident attorney to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.