Many people experience irritability after a car accident. Being involved in a car accident is a traumatic event and even more so if you’ve sustained injuries requiring medical treatment. Injuries sustained in car accidents range from minor cuts and bruises to life-changing trauma. Some injuries are very obvious like broken bones while other soft tissue injuries are more subtle and sometimes undetectable by medical personnel and the victims.

When you’re hurt in a car accident, some of your injuries may be very obvious like bleeding from cuts or broken bones. These types of injuries are easy to recognize and are treated promptly. But for those “hidden” injuries you may have, it is far more difficult to recognize, diagnose and treat them.

One type of injury that is not always apparent following a car accident is a head injury. A head injury can range from a mild concussion to a severe traumatic brain injury or TBI. If you have been involved in a car accident and experience irritability that seemingly came out of nowhere, you could have a head injury without even realizing it. Even if you were treated at a hospital following the accident for obvious injuries you sustained, it’s very possible that the medical personnel at the emergency room did not notice your head injury as you may have acted normally wherein you conversed appropriately with others and answered all questions posed to you.

It is possible that you suffered a mild traumatic brain injury or concussion. A concussion is a physical injury to the brain that cases a disruption of normal functioning. Concussions are graded on a scale from a low Grade 1 injury wherein the victim is confused but generally recovers in a few minutes all the way to a Grade 3 injury where the victim loses consciousness for a short period of time. The next degree on the scale is a mild traumatic brain injury that is defined as any loss of consciousness or memory before or after the accident or incident that caused injuries.

People who suffer from mild traumatic brain injuries can experience a wide range of symptoms including:

• Irritability
• Headaches
• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Short temper
• Anxiety
• Depression

When someone suddenly starts being irritable, other people often mistakenly believe that the person is simply being moody and difficult without realizing that they’ve actually suffered an injury. When the accident victim realizes that others do not believe that their change of behavior is due to the accident, it can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety. Many people end up with depression in this type of situation because they’re confused about their own odd behavior and do not receive any empathy from others.

If you experience irritability after a car accident, it’s important to seek out medical attention right away so that you can be provided with a proper diagnosis. If it is found that you do have a mild traumatic brain injury, you may require long-term treatment that can be very expensive. You also may find that your life quality becomes affected wherein you struggle to maintain relationships and to properly carry out tasks required from you at work.

The California personal injury attorneys at Hogan Injury can help you file a claim for compensation that will help you pay your medical bills and which will cover all losses you’ve suffered as a result of the accident you were involved in. Our attorneys understand how “hidden” injuries can be misdiagnosed and misinterpreted. We also understand how a change of personality can affect not only the victim but also his or her loved ones. Give us a call today so we can discuss your case and provide you with legal advice. We are available 24/7 and can be reached via our website or by calling 866-205-4971.