Those who are involved in serious auto accidents may suffer from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These can be very detrimental to a person’s quality of life, and they can potentially be fatal. It’s very important for those who have been injured to know what signs to look for and to seek medical attention if there is any chance that they may have a TBI. Consulting with an Oklahoma City motor vehicle accident attorney can also help protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. It’s always better to get a doctor’s opinion and guidance than to suffer consequences due to uncertainty.
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Brain injury symptoms can vary widely depending on the location and severity of a particular kind of harm. Mild cases may result in subtle signs, while severe injuries can lead to profound and immediate changes in a person’s functioning. As a result, it’s generally a good idea to seek a medical evaluation after a crash because TBIs can manifest in so many different ways.
24 top symptoms
Every car crash is unique, as is every injury. The signs below are not a comprehensive list, but just some of the most common symptoms that may develop as a result of a TBI:
- Concussion: A common brain injury often causing dizziness, confusion and memory problems.
- Amnesia: Partial or total loss of memory.
- Headache: Persistent or severe headaches can follow head trauma.
- Nausea: Feeling queasy or vomiting.
- Fatigue: Excessive tiredness or exhaustion may persist for days or weeks.
- Dizziness: Feeling unsteady or lightheaded is a common symptom.
- Balance issues: Difficulty maintaining balance and coordination.
- Sensitivity to light: Photophobia or aversion to bright lights.
- Sensitivity to noise: Hyperacusis or heightened sensitivity to sounds.
- Slurred speech: Difficulty articulating words clearly.
- Confusion: Disorientation, trouble concentrating or memory lapses.
- Mood swings: Emotional instability or sudden mood changes.
- Irritability: Easily becoming annoyed or agitated.
- Depression: Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
- Anxiety: Excessive worry, fear or restlessness.
- Personality changes: Alterations in behavior or attitude.
- Difficulty sleeping: Insomnia or changes in sleep patterns.
- Difficulty speaking: Aphasia, trouble understanding or producing speech.
- Paralysis or weakness: Partial or complete loss of muscle function.
- Tremors: Involuntary shaking or trembling of limbs.
- Difficulty swallowing: Dysphagia, problems with eating and drinking.
- Changes in taste or smell: Altered perception of flavors or odors.
- Impaired motor skills: Difficulty with fine or gross motor movements.
- Cognitive deficits: Problems with thinking, problem-solving and reasoning.
Those who have suffered from TBIs may need expensive medical treatment, may experience a reduction in their earnings and may have symptoms that last for a long time. As a result, those who may be in a position to hold others accountable for negligently causing their harm can generally benefit from seeking legal guidance from an Oklahoma City brain injury attorney.
What to Do If You Suspect TBI After a Crash
A traumatic brain injury is a medical emergency even when the victim feels well enough to walk away from the scene. Many TBI symptoms — cognitive fog, mood changes, sleep disruption, sensitivity to light and noise — develop or worsen over hours and days as the brain swells and bruises. Go directly to an emergency room, not an urgent care clinic, and tell the treating physician you were in a motor vehicle crash. Request CT imaging; if symptoms include memory gaps, confusion, or loss of consciousness at any point, request MRI as well, since MRI captures diffuse axonal injury that CT routinely misses.
Do not return to work, drive, or make significant legal or financial decisions while experiencing TBI symptoms. The injured brain is more vulnerable to a second injury (second-impact syndrome), and cognitive impairment affects judgment in ways the affected person typically cannot accurately assess. Notify your employer of the injury and document it in writing — TBI can qualify for short-term and long-term disability benefits as well as workers’ compensation if it occurred in a work context.
Why TBI Evidence Degrades and How Attorneys Preserve It
TBI cases are harder to win without early evidence. Surveillance footage from the crash location is overwritten within days to weeks. Witness memories fade and witnesses become harder to locate. In crashes involving commercial vehicles, electronic control module data and driver records are legally destroyable on short carrier schedules. Vehicle damage photographs taken immediately after the crash — before repair or salvage — document the force of impact, which correlates with injury severity when insurers try to argue that a crash was too minor to cause a brain injury. A neuropsychological evaluation conducted early establishes baseline cognitive deficits that can be compared against pre-injury records and later performance.
Compensation in Oklahoma TBI Claims
TBI is among the most expensive categories of personal injury because its effects are often permanent and pervasive. Recoverable damages include all medical expenses (emergency, neurological, rehabilitative, and future), lost wages, reduced earning capacity, in-home care, cognitive rehabilitation, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Oklahoma imposes no cap on non-economic damages in personal injury cases. Where a defendant’s conduct was reckless — a drunk driver, an impaired commercial operator, a truck carrier that falsified safety records — punitive damages may also be available. Oklahoma’s personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the crash date. Call Warhawk Legal for a free TBI case evaluation: (405) 397-1717.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I didn’t lose consciousness — does that mean I don’t have a TBI? Loss of consciousness is not required for a TBI diagnosis. Mild TBI (concussion) commonly occurs without loss of consciousness. Symptoms like confusion, memory gaps, and post-injury headaches are sufficient for a clinical TBI diagnosis.
The insurer says the crash wasn’t severe enough to cause a brain injury — what do I do? This is a standard insurer defense, particularly in low-speed crashes. Neuropsychological testing, MRI findings, and physician testimony quantify the injury independent of the crash speed. An attorney retains the experts needed to counter this argument.
How long do TBI cases take to resolve? TBI cases typically resolve after the victim reaches maximum medical improvement — often 12–24 months post-injury — so the full scope of permanent deficits can be documented before settlement.
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