Although concussions are often associated with high contact sports like football and ice hockey, they’re quite common in car accidents. In fact, car accidents are the third leading cause of concussions in America and account for the largest percentage of traumatic brain injury (TBI) related deaths according to Brainline. Head injuries can result in lifelong disabilities if left untreated, treated incorrectly, or not treated soon enough. TBIs are just that – traumatic, so it helps to get acquainted with concussions, the causes and symptoms, treatment, and how to file a claim or sue when you have been injured.
Concussions are often the result of a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or neck area that causes the head to move from one position to another rapidly. While driving, your body is going the same speed as your car and in an accident, your body and head will often go from traveling that speed in one direction to another or come to a rapid stop. This sudden motion causes the brain to shift and hit against the inside of the skull, which then causes chemical changes in the brain and can damage the brain cells and tissue. Further, the sudden impact of an airbag or hitting your head against the window, the headrest, or any other object can also cause a concussion. Violently hitting the skull can cause bruising, swelling of the brain, torn blood vessels, and injury to nerves. Considering the violent nature of car accidents, it’s no surprise that concussions and other serious TBIs can result in a car accident.
What are the signs and symptoms of a concussion?
Concussions—unless severe enough to physically damage the brain—won’t show up on any X-ray, CT, or MRI scan so identifying the signs is incredibly important. These signs can include, but are not limited to, loss of consciousness, issues with balance, amnesia, a glazed, distant look in the eyes, blurry vision ringing in the ears, delayed response time to questions, forgetfulness, confusion and other cognitive changes, fatigue or drowsiness, inappropriate laughter or crying, speech changes, headache, nausea and vomiting.
There are four different categories concussion symptoms fall under: somatic (or physical), cognitive, sleep, and emotional. Somatic symptoms can include headaches, light-headedness, nausea, and sensitivity to noise or light. Cognitive symptoms will typically manifest themselves as memory issues, problems focusing, and difficulty multitasking or completing mentally challenging tasks. Sleeping more or less than usual or having trouble fall asleep make up the symptoms in the sleep category. Lastly, emotional symptoms encompass anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
Some symptoms may appear immediately, while some may not appear for some time after the injury—sometimes hours or even days later.
Treatment options
If you believe you may have sustained a concussion in a motor vehicle accident, you should get examined as soon as you can by a doctor. While many concussions and their associated symptoms will resolve over time, some concussions are so severe that medical attention is necessary and sometimes lifesaving. Also worsening symptoms can be a sign of serious injury so don’t delay seeking medical treatment.
Can I file a claim or sue if I’ve suffered a concussion in a car accident?
After getting diagnosed and receiving treatment for injuries you received in a car accident caused by someone else, contact Whalen Injury Lawyers as soon as you can. A concussion can be a potentially serious injury for which you can receive compensation to pay for medical bills, loss of work, pain and suffering, and other damages. You could be eligible for compensation even if you have pre-existing conditions that were affected by a concussion or other injuries.
The lawyers at Whalen Injury Lawyers are here to help you build your life back after you have sustained serious injury. For help on your case don’t delay – contact Whalen Injury Lawyers today!
