Signs and Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury After an Accident

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Signs and Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury After an Accident

It doesn’t always look dramatic.
There’s no movie-style moment where someone collapses, bleeding from the head. In fact, many people walk away from car crashes or falls thinking, “That could’ve been worse.” They’re grateful. Shaken, maybe sore, but grateful.

And then the symptoms creep in.

Headaches that linger. Brain fog that won’t lift. Mood swings that seem foreign. You start forgetting appointments. Losing your temper. Struggling to concentrate.

This is how traumatic brain injuries in San Antonio often present—quietly, subtly, and dangerously underestimated.

Not All Brain Injuries Are Obvious

Contrary to what TV would have you believe, you don’t need to be knocked unconscious to suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In fact, many TBIs occur without any loss of consciousness at all.

Whiplash, sudden impact, or even a violent jolt can cause the brain to slam against the skull—resulting in bruising, bleeding, or microscopic tearing of nerve fibers.

And yet? People often chalk the symptoms up to stress, adrenaline, or just a “bad day.”

Common Signs of a TBI (That People Often Miss)

If you’ve recently been in an accident—car crash, slip and fall, workplace incident—and you’re feeling “off,” here’s what to watch for:

1. Persistent Headaches

Not your run-of-the-mill tension headache. These often feel deep, dull, and unrelenting—sometimes worsening with movement, light, or noise.

2. Memory Problems

Forgetting names, misplacing items, zoning out mid-conversation—these are red flags, especially if memory wasn’t an issue before.

3. Mood and Personality Shifts

Irritability. Depression. Anxiety. Or just feeling like you’re not yourself. Brain injuries can alter emotional regulation, often leading to unexplained mood swings.

4. Fatigue and Sleep Issues

Constant exhaustion—even after a full night’s sleep—is common with TBIs. Others experience insomnia, restless nights, or reversed sleep cycles.

5. Sensory Sensitivities

Sudden aversion to bright lights or loud sounds? A heightened startle response? These can indicate neurological disruptions caused by a TBI.

6. Dizziness or Balance Problems

Even minor head trauma can affect your vestibular system. If you’re feeling unsteady, lightheaded, or like the room is spinning—it’s worth taking seriously.

7. Difficulty Concentrating or Slowed Thinking

Reading takes longer. Following conversations feels like work. You might even struggle to finish sentences or find words. It’s frustrating—and scary.

Why These Symptoms Matter

Here’s the deal: untreated TBIs can worsen over time. What starts as a “mild concussion” can spiral into chronic cognitive issues, emotional instability, or long-term disability.

And because the symptoms are internal—and often invisible—many people don’t get the medical (or legal) support they need. They push through. They try to tough it out.

But brain injuries don’t work like that. They need rest. They need evaluation. And in many cases, they need documentation—especially if the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence.

San Antonio Is No Stranger to Brain Injuries

With thousands of vehicle collisions, construction site incidents, and sports-related accidents occurring annually, traumatic brain injuries in San Antonio are unfortunately more common than many realize.

Whether you’re dealing with a high-speed crash on I-10 or a fall on uneven public pavement downtown, brain trauma is a very real possibility—even without external wounds.

So What Should You Do?

If any of these signs resonate with you—or if someone close to you has changed in subtle but concerning ways after an accident—trust your gut.

• Get evaluated by a neurologist or concussion specialist.
• Keep a journal of symptoms and changes in behavior.
• Don’t downplay how you feel—especially not to insurers or adjusters.

And remember: even if your scans are clear, it doesn’t mean your brain is. Some injuries are functional, not structural—and still life-altering.

This Isn’t in Your Head. But It Is Your Brain.

Traumatic brain injuries don’t always knock you out. Sometimes, they just quietly take things away: memory, peace, clarity.

The sooner you identify the signs, the better chance you have of recovering them.