Signs You Have a Concussion After a Car Accident
If you were recently in a car accident, you may have suffered injuries and not even know it. Concussions are one of the most common types of traumatic brain injuries. Complications can emerge without prompt medical attention.
Concussions can even form even if your brain does not make contact with a hard surface, such as a steering wheel or dashboard. For example, the force of a crash can cause your brain to collide with the interior of your skull. If you were injured in a car accident, it’s vital that you can recognize the symptoms of a concussion.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that temporarily disrupts brain function, often caused when the brain impacts a hard surface, or the brain collides with the skull’s interior. Concussions are common in traumatizing events, including car accidents, bike accidents, and slips and falls. Anything that causes an impact on the head can potentially cause a concussion, but not everyone who experiences a blow to the head will go on to suffer a concussion.
While many concussions are treated with basic monitoring and can resolve on their own, others can cause symptoms that endure for weeks or months. Even temporary symptoms can interfere with a person’s daily life and ability to earn a living.
Symptoms of Concussions
Many people associate concussions with loss of consciousness, but not all TBI victims lose consciousness.
Symptoms to watch out for after an accident that may indicate concussions include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Balance problems
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Ringing in the ears
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Sleep problems
- Slurred speech
- Delayed responses
- Irritability and mood swings
- Dazed appearance
Symptoms of concussions may appear differently in babies and young children. This situation can be more complicated when children are unable to report their symptoms to their medical providers.
Symptoms to watch out for include:
- Changes in eating or nursing habits
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Refusing to eat or nurse
- Disinterest in favorite activities or toys
- Crying more than usual
- Irritability or crankiness
- A blank stare
Anyone who may have suffered a concussion should seek immediate medical attention so their condition can be properly diagnosed and treated.
Types of Concussions
Medical professionals categorize concussions according to how long symptoms endure and whether the victim loses consciousness, as follows:
- Mild concussion – A mild concussion or grade I concussion is associated with confusion and symptoms for 15 minutes or less. There is no loss of consciousness.
- Moderate concussion – A moderate concussion or grade II concussion has symptoms that last longer than 15 minutes, sometimes up to one week. Additionally, patients may experience more intense symptoms than they do with grade I concussions.
- Severe concussion – A severe concussion or grade III concussion is sometimes associated with a brief or prolonged loss of consciousness and symptoms lasting over 24 hours and being more intense than other concussions.
The type of concussion will dictate how it is treated. Some concussions can be treated with rest. Others require a 24-hour observation period in the hospital to see if symptoms worsen. More severe concussions may require extensive medical treatment and ongoing rehabilitation.
Potential Complications of Concussions
Suffering one concussion makes it more likely that you will suffer another. Multiple traumatic brain injuries can lead to health complications. Some TBI victims suffer post-concussive syndrome, a medical condition in which the victim suffers prolonged symptoms from the injury.
A Rock Hill Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help if You Suffer a Concussion in a Car Accident
Suppose you or a loved one suffered a concussion after a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence. In that case, an experienced car accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact The Rock Hill Personal Injury Lawyers At Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys For Help Today
For more information, please contact our Personal Injury lawyers in South Carolina at Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys to schedule a free consultation today.
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