Many people who have suffered a head injury in an accident wonder how long after a head injury can symptoms occur. After an accident, you could notice head injury symptoms days later or weeks or months into the future. It is crucial to see a doctor immediately when you begin to experience symptoms. Don’t wait for symptoms to get worse. 

How Long After a Head Injury Can Symptoms Occur? 1
Source: Medical News Today

We know how stressful and painful it can be to experience a head injury, but our lawyers are here to help. If you suffered injuries in an accident, reach out to our accomplished team. We can help you to get back on your feet and recover the compensation you deserve.

What Symptoms Might I Experience Immediately?

Some symptoms of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) occur right away. These primarily include physical signs of a TBI. Some of the most common physical symptoms include the following:

  • Fatigue,
  • Nausea,
  • Vomiting,
  • Dizziness, and
  • Vision trouble.

The symptoms above are more likely to be noticed quickly after a TBI. You should never ignore the symptoms of a brain injury. Getting medical attention right away is essential to protecting your long-term health. It can also help preserve evidence of your legal claim.

What Symptoms May Appear Later On?

Although many symptoms will appear soon after an accident, others take time to develop. So how long after a head injury can symptoms occur? Some signs of a head injury, such as cognitive and emotional symptoms, may occur in the days or weeks following your accident, or perhaps even later. Trouble sleeping also tends to be a symptom that crops up after a week or more. A few frequently occurring cognitive and emotional symptoms of a TBI consist of:

  • Reduced concentration,
  • Trouble with short-term memory,
  • Problems with reasoning,
  • Feeling more emotional, and
  • Nervousness or anxiety.

If you are suffering from any of the symptoms above, make sure that you get medical care immediately.

Signs of a Mild, Moderate, and Severe Brain Injury

Symptoms of a TBI can differ depending on the severity of the injury. There are three classifications for a TBI: mild, moderate, and severe. A mild TBI tends to correlate with multiple symptoms, including:

  • Nausea, 
  • Mood swings, and 
  • Headaches. 

A moderate to severe TBI can involve several symptoms, such as a loss of consciousness or a loss of coordination. Moderate or severe TBI often involves long-term care and can include many other symptoms.

Can Symptoms of a Concussion Be Delayed? 

One of the most common types of TBI is a concussion. Just like other types of brain injuries, concussions can range from mild to severe. With a severe concussion, which is characterized by a loss of consciousness for more than five minutes, you’ll typically notice at least some symptoms right away. However, you can continue to experience ongoing or even new symptoms days or weeks after your initial head injury. 

Symptoms of a mild concussion may go unnoticed at first. But it’s important to be vigilant any time you’ve suffered a blow to the head. Delayed concussion symptoms include headaches and memory problems, among others. If left untreated, these symptoms can persist or become more serious.

To answer the question “how long after head injury can symptoms occur” most people will experience the symptoms within 24 hours to three weeks.

Frequent Causes of Head Injuries

A head injury can turn a person’s life upside-down. They can take place as a result of various kinds of accidents and other circumstances. Some of the most common causes of head injuries include the following.

Car Accidents

When a person’s head collides with the steering wheel or other objects in a wreck, this can cause significant injuries. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, the type of TBI someone may sustain can vary from minor to severe. You may be able to hold several parties liable in a car accident, including the other driver and the vehicle manufacturer.

Medical Malpractice

If your doctor or another medical provider was negligent, they might be responsible for your head injuries. Your doctor and other healthcare professionals must act as reasonable physicians or professionals. If they fail to do so and their actions cause a head or brain injury, they can be held responsible. Proving medical malpractice is unusually difficult and requires the assistance of a knowledgeable attorney.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Slip-and-fall accidents, as well as trip-and-fall accidents, are major causes of head injuries. A slip-and-fall can result from a spill at a grocery store that employees did not correctly clean up, power cords someone left in your way or uneven surfaces. 

No matter the cause of your head injury, our lawyers are here to get you the justice you deserve.

What Damages Could I Recover After a Head Injury?

After suffering an injury, there are several types of compensation you may be able to receive. These include both economic and non-economic losses. Remember that the accident must have been the result of another person’s negligence to file a personal injury claim.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are more quantifiable than non-economic damages. These are easier to calculate and more objective. A few examples of economic damages available in California include medical treatment and lost wages.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more difficult to calculate because they are so subjective. Each individual’s non-economic damages are going to be different. Some types of non-economic damages consist of:

  • Emotional distress,
  • Pain and suffering, and
  • Loss of consortium.

Note that this is not an exhaustive list of potential non-economic damages. Others include mental suffering and inconvenience, for example. Our skillful team at GJEL Accident Attorneys can help you better understand the potential value of your claim. 

How Our Attorneys Can Help You

Our friendly lawyers are here to assist you if you have sustained a head injury. We can aid you with coordinating accident investigations, analyzing property damage issues, and more. At GJEL Accident Attorneys, our team can take care of every aspect of your claim. 

We stand out from other personal injury attorneys with our success rate of over 99%. With over $950 million recovered for our clients, our lawyers are ready to fight for you. Furthermore, our talented attorneys quickly resolve our client’s claims. For a free consultation, call us at 866-292-9907 or complete our online form today.

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