After an accident, it is normal to feel confused or unsure about what just happened. Accidents occur in an instant, which means you rarely see them coming. However, if the confusion lasts beyond those first initial moments, the Mayo Clinic explains that it could be an indication that you have a brain injury.
Moderate or severe injury
Confusion is not typically a sign of a mild brain injury. It happens more often in a moderate or severe injury. It also may not occur right away. You could be confused right after the accident but once you figure out what is going on, it goes away. Then, days later, you start experiencing confusion again. This could be a sign that you could have a serious brain injury, though it may be coupled with other symptoms as well.
Other symptoms
Rarely will confusion be the only symptom, which makes it easier to know if it is due to a brain injury or not. Since it occurs most often with more severe head injuries, you will also probably experience symptoms that include:
- Nausea
- Loss of consciousness
- Headache
- Weakness in your toes or fingers
- Loss of coordination
- Slurred speech
- Unusual behavior
Seek care
If you have any suspicion that you might have a head injury after an accident, you should seek medical help. Often, a brain injury only gets worse over time, especially if you have swelling on your brain. Getting immediate care can help you to avoid further brain damage.
