Car accidents in Douglasville can leave victims with a wide range of injuries. Some injuries, like cuts or broken bones, are apparent right away. But others may take time to become evident. Several hours or days may pass before the crash victim realizes that he or she has been seriously hurt.
Concussions can be one of those injuries which are not immediately apparent. This is why it is crucial for you to seek medical attention as soon as possible after you have been involved in an auto accident of any kind. A doctor will know how to examine you and conduct tests which can detect whether you have suffered this mild – but serious – form of traumatic brain injury. The doctor can then begin immediate treatment.
If someone else’s negligence caused you to suffer a concussion, you should reach out to our experienced Douglasville car accident attorneys at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. You will find that our law firm is friendly and down-to-earth. We will take the time to get to know you during your free consultation and understand how your concussion has affected your life, and we will work tirelessly to pursue full and fair compensation for you.
Our lawyers are friendly and down-to-earth. We take the time to get to know you, answer questions, and make sure you understand what’s happening in your case every step of the way.
What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion?
One reason why it is so difficult to determine whether you have a concussion after a car accident is that the symptoms are not as visible as other types of injuries. Additionally, they often are not apparent until several days after a car crash occurs. Headaches, confusion and a loss of memory are some of the most common symptoms of a concussion, according to The Mayo Clinic. Sometimes, the loss of memory will cause an accident victim to forget about the accident entirely or forget certain aspects of it. Other symptoms of a concussion include:
- Temporary loss of consciousness
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears
- Nausea (with or without vomiting)
- Slurred speech
- Delayed response to questions
- Appearing as though in a daze
- Fatigue
- Trouble with concentrating
- Personality changes such as sudden irritability
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Problems with sleeping
- Depression and psychological adjustment problems
- Sensory deficits (especially taste and smell)
After any car wreck, it is important to watch for these signs not only immediately following the accident but also in the days and weeks following the event.
What Are the 10 Signs of a Concussion After a Car Accident?
Because any injury to the brain could have a lasting impact on your health and livelihood, it is vital to seek medical attention after any crash. This is especially true if any of these 10 concussion symptoms appear immediately after a crash or develop over time:
- Headache – A severe, persistent headache or a feeling of pressure in the head is one of the most common concussion symptoms. It is vital to seek medical attention to ensure that no bleeding or brain swelling occurs.
- Sensitivity to light – Many concussion victims suffer from photophobia or photosensitivity. Doctors believe this symptom may be a result of the brain’s inability to adjust to varying levels of light after the injury. This sensitivity can last days, weeks or even for a longer period of time after the accident.
- Confusion or dazed feeling – Victims of concussions often feel confused or experience temporary amnesia surrounding the event. They may not even recall the collision or what happened in the immediate aftermath.
- Loss of consciousness – If a person’s head strikes an object or surface within the vehicle (for example, the windshield, steering wheel, dashboard or door), the person could be knocked unconscious. This is a clear sign of a concussion, and the individual should be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible.
- Dizziness, fuzzy vision or “seeing stars” – A blow to the head can scatter the nerve signals in your brain and cause temporary vision problems. These symptoms collectively are referred to as “post-trauma vision syndrome.” While most of these issues will resolve with time and rest, they may be a sign that you have suffered a concussion.
- Nausea or vomiting – Concussion victims may vomit immediately after the injury, or they may experience nausea in the hours and days after the accident. This symptom could be related to the pain from the headaches, or it could be a result of vestibular dysfunction, which affects the body’s balance and equilibrium.
- Delayed responses or slurred speech – Concussion victims may struggle to respond to questions or may be slow, slurred or incoherent when speaking. These communication problems affect an individual’s receptive skills and expressive skills.
- Trouble sleeping – Sleep patterns can easily be disrupted by an injury to the brain. Individuals may have trouble falling asleep or may experience difficulty staying asleep.
- Fatigue – It is common for concussion victims to feel fatigued after the injury. They often feel “mentally drained.” Tasks that were once easy become much more difficult. While these symptoms usually clear up over time, it is important to get a thorough examination by a doctor and get good, restorative sleep to help your brain heal.
- Personality changes – Behavioral changes are not uncommon after a concussion and often appear in the days following the accident. In some cases, personality traits can become intensified. In other cases, people may exhibit different behaviors than they previously exhibited.
How Will a Doctor Determine If You Have a Concussion?
Doctors do not use any single test to diagnose a concussion. Often, doctors will use cognitive and physical examinations, imaging tests and other tools to determine if an accident victim has suffered a concussion.
The series of cognitive tests will examine your reaction time, visual and verbal memory, and your brain’s processing speed. Physical tests will check your coordination, reflexes, balance, and strength. Among the other tools which a doctor may use to diagnose a concussion are:
- CT scan – A CT scan is an internal organ and tissue X-ray. It captures images that show if the brain is swollen, bruised or bleeding.
- MRI – An MRI can provide a detailed view of the brain in two or three dimensions using magnetic field and radio waves. The images can show doctors where there is swelling or bleeding in the brain.
In some instances, concussion victims will be asked to stay overnight in the hospital for observation. If you are released, and your doctor agrees to let you be observed at home, you should make sure to have someone stay with you and check to make sure your symptoms do not worsen.
Your doctor will likely advise you to get plenty of rest after suffering a concussion. Rest will allow your brain to recover. As your symptoms improve, you can gradually add in more challenging mental and physical activities.
What Types of Car Accidents Are Most Likely to Result in a Concussion?
A concussion can occur in any type of car accident. However, certain types of accidents make them more likely. These types include:
- Rear-end collisions – When one vehicle travels behind another and slams into the rear of the car in front, the driver and passengers in the front car are likely to sustain a concussion. This type of crash causes the neck to move back and forth in rapid succession. This is known as whiplash. It can cause a concussion because it moves the brain and shakes it within the skull.
- Side-impact collisions – Often referred to as a “T-bone accidents,” these crashes are also likely to cause a concussion. Little space lies between the side door and the driver or passenger inside the car that was hit. This force can cause a blow to the head of the people inside of the car that was hit because. Often, they hit their head on parts of the car such as the steering wheel, window or dashboard.
- Head-on collisions – These accidents occur when one vehicle slams into the front of another. The impact can cause people in both vehicles to jolt backwards and then forwards and hit their heads on the seats behind them, steering wheel or dashboard.
- Multiple-vehicle accidents – When many vehicles are involved in a collision, a person can be thrown in nearly any direction inside of the car. It can result in a driver or passengers hitting their heads on interior parts of the car.
When a person is involved in any of these types of accidents, they should seek medical treatment right away. They should also remain on the lookout for any signs of a concussion.
Understanding The Long-Term Complications Of A Concussion After An Auto Accident
One of the reasons it is so important to consult with a car accident lawyer near Douglasville after a collision is because the full extent of your injuries may not be immediately apparent. A lawyer can help you get the right amount of compensation not only for your acute injuries but also for the chronic complications that persist long after the initial injuries have healed. Concussions, for instance, are common in car accidents and can have long-lasting complications. Here are some of the ways a concussion can impact your health.
What Is Post-Concussion Syndrome?
After a concussion, many people recover within three months. However, some people experience what is known as post-concussion syndrome. Post-Concussion Syndrome is when symptoms of a concussion last beyond what would be the expected recovery period after the initial injury. Post-concussion syndrome symptoms can persist indefinitely, and they can affect people in different ways. To cope with post-concussion syndrome, patients usually require physical and occupational therapy. A car accident lawyer can help you get compensation for the time and expense of attending therapy to recover from your injury.
What Are the Long-Term Symptoms of Post-Concussion Syndrome?
Patients with post-concussion syndrome can experience a range of symptoms, including frequent headaches and dizziness. People may also struggle to complete tasks, be more irritable than normal, and generally not feel like themselves. These impacts can interfere with school and work and cause difficulties in personal relationships. Long-term memory problems can also persist after a concussion and cause people to feel like they function slower than they used to.
What Are the Treatment Options for Post-Concussion Syndrome?
Immediately after a car accident, get evaluated by a medical professional and talk to a car accident attorney. Keep in mind that concussion symptoms can take several weeks to appear, so if you develop new symptoms, see your doctor again to develop a care plan. With the information provided by the doctor about your case and the potential for long-term complications, your lawyer can determine what kind of compensation to seek.
What Should You Do If You Have Suffered a Concussion in a Crash?
If you believe that you have sustained a concussion after a car accident, the most important thing you will do is seek medical treatment. A doctor can assess your symptoms, and the doctor may order diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRIs or CT scans. The doctor may also test your memory and attention span in order to arrive at a diagnosis.
If you are diagnosed with a concussion, a doctor may provide a range of treatment options, including getting plenty of rest and avoiding strenuous activity. It is important to know that you are at a higher risk of getting a second concussion and causing more serious injury to the brain after you have initially sustained a concussion.
It will also be important for you to speak to a Douglasville car accident lawyer after you suffer a concussion in a car accident. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain, suffering and more. A lawyer can help you to pursue those damages.
Our Douglasville Car Accident Attorneys Want to Help You
A concussion can bring many challenges into your life. In addition to facing medical treatment – and the costs of that treatment – you may also find it difficult to return to work for a prolonged period of time. If someone else’s negligence caused you to suffer a concussion in an auto accident in Douglasville or elsewhere in Georgia, our attorneys are here for you. At Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., we are passionate about helping accident victims to pursue compensation they need to help them to recover from their injuries. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
