When a person is involved in a car accident in California, they can end up with a variety of injuries that can range from moderate to severe. One of the most vulnerable parts of the body is the head, and when hit with the force that typically occurs during an accident, a person can suffer a traumatic brain injury.

Consequences Of A Traumatic Brain Injury

These types of injuries can have secondary effects immediately after the incident or can even take months to show up. For example, a concussion can affect the way the brain perceives, processes, and stores information. This, in turn, can cause emotional alterations in the victim due to fright, not only from the accident but also from the feeling that there is something in them that does not work as before.

People with brain injuries can present different neuropsychological problems. These problems may depend on the part of the brain that was affected, as well as the severity of the injury. Each person may present unique symptoms, so there is no way to predict what an individual's exact symptoms will be.

Victims of traumatic brain injuries may experience depression, irritability, isolation, anger, high levels of anxiety, and mood swings. That is why people tend to think that the personality of the individual has changed. However, it is not that the personality changes. Instead, it is a set of symptoms that the patient finds very difficult to manage. These symptoms may go away over time if the correct treatment is given and if they are taken care of right away.

There are times when neurological damage can present symptoms such as emotional volatility (the person may have drastic mood swings or exaggerated irritability). In these cases, the person has probably lost some control over their emotions and the way to express them. The family or loved ones should remember that these types of behaviors are not intentional but are a consequence of the injury. Criticizing the person and comparing them to how they were before, can only make them feel more frustrated and with a greater lack of control over their situation.

It is important to remember that some accident victims may also have post-traumatic stress disorder. In these cases, the person may feel afraid to drive or leave the house again, may have moderate anxiety or panic attacks, disruptive memories and images of the accident, depression, anger, nightmares and/or sleep problems. All this can make the person behave differently, but it does not mean that his personality has changed.

Contact the Vaziri Law Group Personal Injury Attorneys

If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident, resulting in head injuries, it is essential to get immediate medical attention. It is important that the doctors do all the necessary tests to rule out any serious damage, and that they monitor your symptoms and emotional state. Only in cases of serious injury can some bodily functions be lost. According to statistics, more than 80% of accident victims have emotional disorders. But as we mentioned earlier, many of these can go away with the recommended treatment.

If you have any questions or would like to talk to us about your situation, call us and schedule a consultation.

Related Reading:

Types of brain injuries after a car accident.