A car accident can cause injuries that range from mild to severe. In some cases, car accidents leave victims with injuries that don’t present symptoms until days, weeks, or even months later. Concussions are common in some types of motor vehicle accidents. Depending on the severity of a concussion, symptoms may not appear immediately. If you know you have a concussion from a car accident, or if you suspect you may have gotten a concussion, there are certain steps you should take to protect your health and protect your rights to file a claim for your associated expenses.
How Can a Car Accident Cause a Concussion?
Concussions can be common in car accidents due to the force and impact when a vehicle crashes into another vehicle or object. Blunt force trauma occurs when a person’s head makes contact with dashboards, steering wheels, windshields, or debris. Concussions may also happen without a strike to the head. The extreme force that can be caused by an accident can result in the head whipping violently back and forth, causing a concussion. Thus, even if your head didn’t make contact with anything in a crash, it’s still possible that you received a concussion.
Steps to Take If You Believe You Were Concussed in a Car Accident
It may not always be evident that you’ve received a concussion. If you do believe you’ve received a concussion, or if you are aware that your head struck something during your crash, call for immediate medical help from the scene of the accident.
Immediate Steps Within 24 Hours
If you do not need immediate medical attention or are not sure if you have a concussion, report to a medical facility within 24 hours of your car crash for a thorough, head-to-toe assessment. Adrenaline may dilute pain from injuries at the time of your crash, making it impossible for you to realize you are actually hurt.
What to Do Within the First 7 Days
If you discover you’ve received a concussion, you’ll want to monitor your symptoms closely. If you see changes in symptoms (new or worsening symptoms) it is important to return to your doctor for an exam. If you aren’t sure if you have a concussion, be aware of changes over the next seven days, like:
- Memory or cognitive issues
- Trouble speaking
- Fatigue and/or weakness
- Persistent headache
- Blurry vision
- Trouble with ambulation and balance
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
If you develop any of these symptoms, you may have received a concussion at the time of your accident and need medical attention.
What to Do in the Next Few Weeks
Rest and over-the-counter medications are usually the preferred method of treatment for concussions. Avoiding strenuous and/or stressful activities can help give your body time to heal. Your provider may suggest over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications to help deal with swelling and headaches that can accompany concussions.
If your concussion is severe, you may need to see a physical therapist to help with movement and occupational issues. Additionally, speaking to a therapist can help you manage the overwhelming feelings that can accompany a car accident.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs when an impact or force causes the brain to jolt and hit the inside of the skull. Concussions are graded from mild to severe.
- Grade 1 concussions are considered mild with symptoms that last no longer than 15 minutes.
- Grade 2 concussions are moderate concussions that result in symptoms lasting longer than 15 minutes.
- Grade 3 concussions are severe. Symptoms of these types of concussions last longer than 15 minutes and involve a loss of consciousness.
All concussions are important to identify and should be treated with care. Watching closely for symptoms that worsen or for new symptoms is crucial to protecting a concussed person’s long-term brain health.
What Are the Signs of a Concussion After a Car Crash?
After a car accident, a person will likely feel anxious, scared, and confused. It can be difficult to determine the extent of any injuries and even more difficult to recount in detail the exact events of an accident.
Even if you can’t remember if you hit your head or if you might have experienced whiplash, take a moment to consider whether you are experiencing symptoms of a concussion. Symptoms can include physical, mental, and emotional changes and disturbances to sleep patterns.
- Physical symptoms include headaches, feeling light-headed or dizzy, trouble with balance, blurry vision, tinnitus, nausea and/or vomiting, fatigue, and visible swelling or trauma to the head.
- Mental symptoms may include trouble with cognition, memory loss, or feeling constantly “foggy-headed.”
- Emotional symptoms can include feeling anxious, irritable, sad, or more sensitive than usual.
A person with a concussion may also notice a change in sleep patterns, like sleeping more or less than usual or trouble falling asleep. Experiencing any of these symptoms after a motor vehicle accident is a reason to see your doctor.
Can a Concussion Get Worse?
Yes, a concussion can get worse. If you do not receive proper medical attention and treatment, a concussion may worsen, and you may develop worsening symptoms. After an accident, it’s important to take it easy for a few days, even if you feel fine. Symptoms of concussions may take several days to develop.
For a few days after an accident, avoid alcohol as this may intensify symptoms. Physical activity, like exercise, may also exacerbate symptoms of a concussion. Resting is the best course of action if you suspect you may have received a concussion.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of a Concussion?
If you’ve been diagnosed with a concussion, you’ve probably got questions about how this will affect your daily life in the next few weeks and the long term. Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about concussions.
- How long does a concussion last? Most people heal from mild and moderate concussions within several weeks to a month. Mild concussions may only take one to two weeks for full healing. A severe concussion may take longer than a month. Between 10%-30% of people with severe concussions experience prolonged symptoms.
- What are the long-term effects of a concussion? People with mild or moderate concussions are usually able to fully heal from their injuries. Severe concussions may leave a person with lasting effects like tinnitus, headaches, neck pain, and vision changes.
- What can I do to treat a concussion at home? Once you’ve been released by your doctor, treating a concussion at home is fairly simple. In addition to rest and medication, you can help reduce symptoms by avoiding loud sounds and bright lights, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and reducing your time in front of screens.
Most people fully recover from concussions. These injuries are common; in South Carolina, nearly 9,500 people suffer some type of TBI each year. Being aware of your symptoms is key to helping manage concussion outcomes.
How Effects Can Differ for Children
Concussions affect children differently than adults. In children whose brains are still developing, symptoms of a concussion may last longer and be more pronounced. It may also be more difficult to determine if a child has a concussion. If your child experiences an injury or blow to the head, look for symptoms like:
- Immediate desire to sleep or take a nap when they normally would not
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Loss of balance
- Headache
If you suspect your child has had a concussion, seek medical attention immediately. It’s important to get your child examined and have a concussion treated to avoid lasting concussion impacts. For children, rest, medication, and certain therapies may be needed to protect their developing brains.
What Damages Can You Seek for Concussion Injuries?
If you’ve received a concussion in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation to help cover the cost of medication, medical expenses, and even lost pay. Even mild concussions can cause a person to miss work, and cost money in medical bills that they simply do not have. Receiving a fair settlement for these expenses can ensure you don’t have to worry about how you’ll pay for your recovery.
Do You Need to Hire a Lawyer If a Car Crash Caused a Concussion?
Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer to help you with a car accident claim can help reduce the stress associated with:
- Filing a claim
- Corresponding with opposing parties and their insurers
- Avoiding lowball settlement offers
- Missing deadlines or filing paperwork incorrectly
- Collecting accident evidence to help protect your rights
One of the best decisions you can make as a car accident survivor is to hire a reputable, experienced attorney to help you with your claim. Eliminating the burden of the claims process helps you focus on recovery, while your attorney fights for the compensation you need to get back on your feet.
