If you get injured in a car accident, you may know the extent of your injuries almost immediately. Some injuries, such as a broken leg, may be fairly obvious. Additionally, many injuries are most severe immediately after they occur, so you can expect your condition to improve with medical treatment and rest.
However, with some head injuries, your symptoms could actually worsen after the accident. One example is a subdural hematoma. This condition occurs when blood vessels rupture in the tissue around the brain, causing bleeding to begin.
The problem with this type of internal bleeding is that it quickly fills the space between the brain and the inside of the skull. There’s very little room, so even a small amount of bleeding can cause a significant increase in pressure. In the most extreme cases, an injury like this can become fatal.
What symptoms should you look for?
If you have a subdural hematoma, you may notice your symptoms becoming more severe over hours or even days. You could develop persistent headaches, chronic fatigue or a lack of mental clarity. You may struggle with balance, cognitive skills or even mobility issues. The symptoms depend on the location of the subdural hematoma and the part of the brain it impacts.
If you notice your symptoms getting worse, it’s critical to consult medical professionals. Immediately after the accident, you may have only had a mild headache that didn’t seem to require hospital treatment. But as other symptoms develop, you may actually have a very severe injury, meaning you need emergency care.
All of this can be very costly. Make sure you know what legal steps you can take to seek compensation from the negligent driver.