The most worrying part of being in a serious auto accident is that many injuries aren’t immediately apparent.

The shock from the accident and endorphins rushing through the body can typically mask the pain for hours following an accident.

If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s not unusual for residual pain to get worse over time. Even if you felt no signs of pain leaving the accident, symptoms of damage done may still arise days following an accident.

This is especially true in the case of concussions.

Concussions are traumatic brain injuries that result from physical trauma to the head. One common symptom of brain injury is the loss of taste or smell by the individual.

If you’ve recently been in an automobile accident and have noticed changes in taste after an accident, there’s a strong chance you may be suffering from a concussion.

If you have a concussion, you may need to take immediate medical and/or legal action.

Read on to learn more about telltale symptoms of brain injury, as well as treatment options and typical concussion protocol.

Concussion Symptoms

Not all symptoms of a concussion result at once. Many take time to begin to present themselves.

Some of the more frequently seen symptoms of a concussion include:

  • Strong headaches
  • Neck pain
  • Loss of smell or taste
  • Difficulty with memory or concentration
  • Lack of energy or motivation
  • Sudden changes in mood
  • Light-headedness
  • Frequent nausea
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Blurred vision
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Changes in sleep pattern

Different symptoms may result in an individual depending on which part of the brain was stressed or damaged in the accident.

As you can see, symptoms and results of concussion can affect individuals physically, mentally, and emotionally. They can also vary in servility.

It’s important to keep note of all symptoms as they develop so as to better inform any medical professional.

Understanding Changes In Taste After An Accident

Why would you experience changes in taste after an accident?

Concussions result from various nerve damage in the brain, caused by physical trauma.

The olfactory nerve is the first and shortest cranial nerve. It transmits sensory information and is responsible for your sense of smell and taste.

If the olfactory nerve was damaged as a part of your concussion, it can damage your ability to properly smell or taste.

The olfactory nerve is regenerating and can repair itself following damage. But judging the amount of damage done it can be impossible to repair, and a lack of physical signs is no indication of internal damage.

If you notice changes in taste after an accident, you should contact a doctor immediately.

Treatment of Concussion & Brain Injuries

Brain damage, even mild cases, is nothing to mess around with.

It’s highly advised to see a professional medical practitioner if you are exhibiting one or more symptoms of a concussion.

Doctors will attempt to assess your motor and reasoning skills and determine the extent of the damage. Frequently CT (computerized tomography) scans are taken. CT scans use a series of X-rays to create cross-section images of the brain.

These can indicate to doctors the severity of the brain damage and if there has been any internal bruising or bleeding.

If you have a concussion, doctors will likely want to observe you for at least a 24 hour period following your admittance to a hospital. There is a chance you may be allowed to be observed at home if a caretaker is approved.

Following an accident, you should make sure to follow proper concussion protocol. The proper protocol can ensure you keep a healthy and normal rest and activity schedule for your body. Following protocol can help prevent further damage to the brain.

Rest and sleep are the most important factors in attempting to heal.

Avoiding rigorous physical demands and keeping stress away will allow your body to use its resources to heal and recover.

This rest also avoids staying away from anything that involves mental concentration, including video games, television, and even browsing the web.

As your symptoms improve, you may slowly be able to bring more strenuous activities back into your day to day life. You should rely on your doctor to tell you when you’ll be able to reinstate active physical activity.

For headaches during your recovery, some doctors may prescribe over the counter painkillers such as Tylenol. You should make sure to check with your doctor before taking any medication, as some may increase the chance of bleeding.

Economic Stresses

The last thing you want to be worried about during your recovery is the financial burden of a concussion.

But it’s hard when the realities can be so expensive.

If you’re experiencing changes in taste after an accident, you may be one of 2.5 million individuals to pay medical expenses in relation to traumatic brain damage.

Studies have shown that the costs of handling traumatic brain damage can be between $25,000 and $80,000.

If you or a loved one are dealing with the effects of a concussion, you may want to contact your insurance provider or consider applying for social security disability benefits to better handle the costs that may result from this injury.

Getting Legal Representation Following An Accident

If you go to see a doctor regarding your changes taste after an accident, make sure to receive proper documentation that proves your injuries are a result of your auto accident.

Many insurance companies will fight to avoid paying claims for damages and will require strenuous proof of cause and injury.

The best strategy you can have in dealing with the logistical side of concussion treatment is to contact legal help immediately following your accident.

Having a knowledgeable legal aid to stand by your side through the process can be a great stress receiver in a time you need it most.

You may have a right to compensation for your injuries depending on the details of your accident.

If you’ve recently been hurt in an auto accident, Stephen Babcock is standing by to help.

If you have any questions about this article or want to visit with a lawyer for free, call Stephen at (225) 240-4053 or contact us here.