What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion After a Car Accident?
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of head injuries. One of the most common types of brain injuries is concussions. According to the CDC, head injuries from car accidents are a common cause of emergency room visits, hospital stays, and deaths in those aged 15 to 34 in the United States. The rates are considerably higher among adults aged 55 to 74 and the highest among those aged 75 and older.
Concussions are often referred to as “invisible injuries” because symptoms are not always apparent or immediate, leading many to believe they are uninjured following a car accident. Brain injuries of any magnitude can become life-threatening if left untreated.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a brain injury resulting from a blow to the head that causes confusion, dizziness, headaches, and other symptoms. Car accidents create a large force of impact, which causes the brain to move around and slam against the skull bone, causing the brain’s nerve fibers to tear, bleed, or bruise. There are three grades of concussions:
- Mild, Grade 1:No loss of consciousness and symptoms lasting less than 15 minutes.
- Moderate, Grade 2: No loss of consciousness and more intense symptoms lasting longer than 15 minutes.
- Severe, Grade 3: Loss of consciousness immediately or shortly after injury and more severe symptoms lasting up to 24 hours or more.
Signs of a Concussion
Depending on the severity of the accident and the grade of concussion, symptoms may appear immediately or up to hours or days to appear. Concussions can occur when there is no outward appearance of head injury, and any blow to the head can be serious and can be life-threatening if untreated. Concussion symptoms after a car accident include but are not limited to:
- Amnesia surrounding the accident
- Blurry or double-vision
- Confusion or dazed feeling
- Declined or loss of coordination
- Difficulty focusing
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Increased sensitivity to light and sound
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Nausea or vomiting
- Personality changes
- Slurred speech or delayed responses
- Unequal pupil size
Some symptoms can last for a few days, while others may last for weeks or months, depending on the degree of injury. Untreated concussions can be extremely damaging and have lasting effects, especially if you have experienced previous concussions.
What Are the Risks of Untreated Concussions?
The lingering effects of untreated concussions can negatively impact your life in many ways, including mental health and daily activities. Risks associated with failure to seek medical treatment include:
- Work performance: Concussions can alter one’s ability to focus or concentrate, impair coordination, negatively impact job performance, and increase one’s risk of a workplace accident, along with potential demotion or termination.
- Relationships: Cultivating or maintaining relationships can be difficult when you are suffering the long-term challenges of concussion.
- Mental health: Untreated concussions frequently result in mental illnesses and disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, or attention deficit disorder, along with increased hostility, impulsiveness, or personality changes.
- Physical abilities: Concussions often cause conditions that significantly impact physical movement and coordination, including seizures, dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, irregular heart rate, and digestive issues. Suffering any of these physical deficits can affect your ability to work or drive and increase the risk of additional injuries.
What Compensation Can I Seek for My Concussion Injury?
While the majority of people who sustain concussions recover completely, many do not. Potentially life-long chronic conditions such as seizures, personality changes, persistent headaches, and limited concentration often result in job loss. Compensation for concussions can be substantial, especially if extensive and ongoing medical care is needed. Typical compensation for concussions include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of wages and future earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Rehabilitation expenses
Our Tolland County Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Jason L. McCoy, LLC Assist Clients Suffering Concussion Injuries
If you have a concussion from an accident, contact our Tolland County car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Jason L. McCoy, LLC. Call us at 860-872-7741 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Vernon, New Haven, and Waterbury, Connecticut, we serve clients in Tolland County, New Haven County, and Hartford County.