Victims of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) do not necessarily lose consciousness or do not lose consciousness for long. So physicians, accident victims, and their friends and family might not notice right away that the victim has suffered an MTBI in an accident. But the fact is that anyone who comes to a sudden and jerky stop can suffer a traumatic brain injury — even motorcyclists and bicyclists wearing helmets.

Serious brain injuries usually result in longer loss of consciousness and more pronounced disability after the accident, but MTBIs might not. This is why they often go overlooked. It is important to recognize signs of MTBI so you can help yourself or your loved ones get immediate medical attention.

If you observe any of the following changes, encourage the accident victim to get medical attention immediately, and insist on a thorough TBI workup once they do.

• Cognition: difficulty thinking clearly; increased distractibility
• Memory: difficulty recalling previously-memorized facts, like phone numbers or names; periods of amnesia
• Perception: blurry vision or double vision; inability to smell things well; smelling odors that others cannot smell; buzzing, ringing, pulsing, or roaring in the ears
• Sleep and fatigue: difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; difficulty waking up or staying awake
• Mood: mood swings; increased irritability; increased emotional liability
• Balance and coordination: uneven gait; increased tripping or falling; dizziness or vertigo

If you or a loved one suffers an MTBI or other injuries as a result of a car accident caused by another's negligence, speak with an experienced personal injury attorney about getting the compensation you deserve.