Signs and Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury After an Accident

By Maria Dallas

Published June 25, 2025In: Brain and Spinal Injury

When someone you love has been in an accident, the most obvious injuries such as cuts, bruises, and broken bones are the ones that get immediate attention. Yet brain injuries can hide in plain sight. A sudden blow or jolt to the head may disturb normal brain function, and the warning signs often develop slowly. In this guide we explore the signs individuals may recognise early on, so they can secure the right medical treatment and, where negligence is involved, the compensation needed to fund recovery.

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A traumatic brain injury can arise from many scenarios: a road traffic collision, a fall, a sporting incident, workplace negligence, an assault or even medical error. TBIs are commonly divided into mild, moderate and severe categories. Symptoms may emerge straight away, hours later or gradually over days and weeks, which is why vigilance in the days following an accident is so important.

Many will notice small changes first. Headaches that linger, feeling ‘spaced out’ or disorientated, a sense that they or their loved one is “just not themselves”, or difficulty concentrating on a conversation that used to come easily. Doctors call these post‑concussion or mild TBI symptoms. Left unchecked, they can slow recovery or mask a more serious injury.
Physical changes are often the easiest to spot. Persistent headaches, dizziness, nausea (sometimes with vomiting) and an unusual sensitivity to light or noise are classic red flags. You may also experience blurred vision, balance problems or overwhelming fatigue.
Just as important are the cognitive and emotional shifts. A previously organised person might struggle to remember simple instructions, lose track of a conversation, or become unusually irritable or tearful. Some people describe a “mental fog” that makes everyday tasks feel exhausting. Sleep patterns can swing to either extreme - insomnia one night, excessive sleep the next.
Finally, watch for speech and behaviour differences. Slurred words, difficulty finding the right phrase, or sudden withdrawal from social contact can be a sign of a bigger problem. A single symptom on its own may have many explanations, but if several appear together after a blow to the head, a medical check‑up is essential.

What About Mild TBI Symptoms?

Because don’t always involve a loss of consciousness, they can be brushed off as “just a knock.” Yet studies show that untreated mild TBIs can contribute to prolonged headaches, mood disorders and concentration problems months down the line. If your loved one seems dazed, forgetful, unusually slow to process information or fixed in a haze of tiredness, book a GP appointment or visit A&E - even if the accident seemed minor at the time.

Get Medical Help Immediately If…

The person is vomiting repeatedly or cannot keep food down
They struggle to stay awake, are unusually drowsy or lose consciousness (even briefly)
Seizures, convulsions or any weakness in the limbs develop
Their speech becomes slurred or their symptoms are steadily getting worse

Prompt assessment can rule out serious complications such as swelling or bleeding on the brain. Early intervention can also provide advice to follow, which lays essential groundwork for successful rehabilitation and, where appropriate, compensation.

How Legal Support Fits In

If the accident was caused by someone else such as a driver, an unsafe workplace, faulty equipment or a violent assault you there may be grounds for a brain injury claim . Compensation is not a windfall, it funds the very real costs of recovery, such as:

Specialist neuro‑rehabilitation and therapy
Long‑term care or respite support for families
Loss of earnings, housing adaptations and mobility equipment

At Switalskis, we combine legal expertise with a focus on practical recovery, securing interim payments where liability is admitted so treatment can begin without delay.

Talk to Someone Who Understands

If the signs described here feel familiar, trust your instincts. A quick call could be the first step toward medical answers, emotional support and, if negligence is involved, the financial security to rebuild.