Most car accidents are not alike, and neither are the injuries you can sustain from them. Some victims have obvious and painful injuries like broken bones and cuts. However, other victims could sustain injuries that are not immediately obvious. There are times when these injuries take hours or even days to show up. Most times, the signs only start to show after victims have returned home from the hospital or car accident scene.

One injury that’s not always obvious after a car crash is a concussion. Public awareness of concussions only began to take precedence in recent years due to their damaging effect in many sports. However, concussions are prevalent in car accidents and can be dangerous if left undiagnosed.

In this article, the Maryland car accident lawyers Pinder Plotkin Law Firm discusses a concussion and the signs to watch for after your accident. If someone’s negligence caused your injuries, contact us for expert legal advice and representation.

What Is a Concussion?

To get started, it is essential to first determine what a concussion is. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) views concussion as a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow, a jolt, or a lump to the head. It could also result from a hit to the body, which causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. In such a situation, the brain also moves just as quickly.

When the brain is forcefully moved inside the skull in quick motions, chemical changes and anatomical damage occurs. Most times, this leads to serious side effects and complications. Some people believe that concussion is a mild brain injury. However, its effects can be quite debilitating, especially for those who suffered a concussion in the past.

Signs of a Concussion

Car accidents can be pretty traumatic; they can be shocking for the victim resulting in a psychological effect. It’s pretty standard for people who have been in a car accident to suffer from memory loss of events before and after the crash. However, psychological trauma shouldn’t be confused with a concussion, a mild traumatic brain injury.

Concussion systems may not be apparent immediately. Sometimes, they occur days or weeks after the initial impact of a car accident. Some common concussion symptoms include:

• Headache and neck pain
• Nausea
• Ringing in the ear
• Dizziness and fatigue
• Lack of focus and concentration
• Forgetful and a hazy feeling

The symptoms above are expected in a mild concussion. However, more severe symptoms of a concussion usually require immediate medical attention. If you have any of the symptoms below, you should immediately seek medical help from an emergency room doctor or a neurologist. Some of these severe symptoms include:

• Convulsion and seizure
• Weakness and numbness
• Slurred speech
• Inability to wake up
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Repeated vomiting and nausea
• Headache that never goes away

What Actions Should You Take if You Have Symptoms of a Concussion?

You should always seek medical attention after a car accident. Most doctors identify concussions during the post-crash evaluation at the hospital. However, shock can sometimes mask concussion, and you won’t suspect you’re suffering from one till hours or days later.

Once you notice any symptoms, call your doctor or visit a clinic. If you have a severe headache or notice blurry vision after the accident that only worsens, then you visit your local emergency room. If you also suffer a loss of consciousness or problem walking or talking, you should see the doctor.

Concussion ranges from mild events that you can recover from quickly to severe brain damage that causes permanent effects. If you’re diagnosed with a concussion, you should do everything possible to avoid suffering an additional concussion, as its impact can be more severe and life-threatening.

We Help Victims Get Compensation After a Car Accident

Despite the dangerous effects a concussion can have on a person, it doesn’t usually receive the attention it deserves. A single concussion can have debilitating effects on the victim. It often leads to prolonged time away from work and causes victims to incur high medical bills due to treatment. That’s why taking note of the symptoms is essential. If you experience any symptoms above, do not hesitate to seek medical attention.

At Pinder Plotkin LLC, our skilled car accident lawyers help victims receive economic and non-economic damages after a car accident that wasn’t their fault. When we take on a brand new claim, we examine every piece of evidence while also taking note of all the ways our clients were hurt. We work hard to ensure that our clients get a fair settlement with this information. While you focus on your recovery process, let us get you the compensation you deserve. Contact our legal team today to find out how we can help you. We offer free initial consultations.