( 300+)A concussion is a common injury in car accidents. Violent collisions can shake a person’s head so that the brain jiggles inside the skull. Any sudden movement can tear axons and lead to serious impairments. These traumatic brain injuries are still not fully understood, but there are common concussion symptoms after car accidents. Some or all of these symptoms could develop immediately after the accident, or they might take 1-3 days to fully manifest.
Contact an experienced Greenville, SC car accident lawyer to discuss your case. Below, we look at the most common symptoms and explain why second impact syndrome is a serious problem.
Headaches
Headaches are common with concussions. You might experience throbbing or pulsing pain or even a dull, constant ache. Pain can worsen with light or noise.
If you experience a “thunderclap” headache, then go to the hospital immediately. This is a sign that you are facing a life-threatening brain injury.
Loss of Balance
A motorist can struggle to maintain balance after suffering a concussion. They might fall over and need to sit down. Sometimes a loss of balance is accompanied by dizziness, which can make a person feel sick.
Nausea
A motorist might also struggle with nausea following a concussion. Vomiting is a common side effect of nausea. Some motorists might be unable to get out of bed if their nausea is so bad.
Confusion and Difficulty Concentrating
A concussion often leads to cognitive problems, including confusion. Many accident victims cannot immediately return to work because they cannot focus fully on even simple tasks. A concussion victim might struggle with reading or managing conflicting deadlines. Others cannot type or focus on a computer screen.
Memory Loss
A motorist might also struggle with memory loss after a concussion. The motorist might not remember the accident or be unable to form new memories right after the accident. Typically, short-term memory is affected more than long-term memory. But a motorist could struggle with long-term memory if they have suffered a severe traumatic brain injury.
Emotional Disturbances
Concussions can lead to a variety of emotional problems, including:
- Anxiety. The accident might lead to intense flashbacks and anxiety. Some motorists avoid getting in a car after a crash.
- Depression. This is a common symptom of concussions. An injured motorist might lose interest or experience crushing sadness.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is a serious medical condition characterized by self-blame, intrusive thoughts, and avoidance behaviors. A motorist needs professional treatment to help them overcome this disorder.
Mental health treatment is available. Some patients might only need medication to help with anxiety or depression. Others will benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy or other interventions.
Sleep Disruption
A person’s sleep can change significantly when they suffer a concussion. Some people will sleep more than they usually do, while others could suffer from insomnia. Helpfully, sleep disruption can be managed with medication, so be sure to mention these symptoms to your doctor.
Speech Impediments
Serious brain injuries can impact a person’s ability to speak. It all depends on which parts of the brain are affected. Some of our clients end up slurring their speech because they can not form words properly. They might even need speech therapy if the brain injury is sufficiently severe.
What is Second Impact Syndrome?
Suffering one concussion is bad enough. You could experience some or all of the symptoms mentioned above. However, a second concussion so soon after a first concussion is possibly even more devastating.
Second impact syndrome refers to a second concussion before the brain has fully healed from a prior injury. Because the brain is vulnerable, a person can suffer even more severe symptoms. Furthermore, you might experience rapid brain swelling, which can result in intracranial pressure. If left untreated, a patient might enter a coma or even die.
To avoid second impact syndrome, patients should take things easy after suffering any concussion. Many doctors recommend staying home and limiting physical exertion, which will reduce the risk of a second collision. Don’t play physical sports, like soccer or flag football. You might even need to stay in bed to rest. Even a mild second impact could cause outsized complications.
Documenting Your Concussion Symptoms
Injured motorists request financial compensation from the person responsible for the accident. Often, the defendant is another driver who struck them or forced them off the road. Motorists suffer concussions in a variety of wrecks, including rear-end collisions and rollovers.
Please document your concussion symptoms by doing the following:
- Seek prompt medical attention. Your doctor’s notes will help document the symptoms you are feeling. A doctor might also order an imaging test, like an MRI, which can show brain injury.
- Follow your doctor’s orders. Many doctors order bed rest and a break from computer screens. By following these orders, you show a commitment to getting better.
- Save medication bottles. We use them to show the medication you used to manage symptoms. Many of our clients need pills to deal with insomnia, anxiety, or depression.
- Keep a diary or journal. You can write down how you are feeling every day. Document the symptoms discussed above. For example, you can note how well you have slept and whether you experienced a headache.
Elliott Frazier – Family, Personal Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, LLC, is an established personal injury firm. We know what kinds of evidence insurance adjusters find credible when analyzing a claim.
A concussion car accident lawyer can help you gather documentation and evidence to support an injury claim for compensation. While you focus on recovery, we can make sure an injury claim is handled properly.
Contact an Experienced Lawyer to Discuss Your Accident
Attorney Angela Elliott Frazier has deep experience in personal injury cases. Brain injuries like concussions make it difficult for people to get to work or even handle their own insurance claims. You benefit from a passionate fighter in your corner who can demand fair compensation from an at-fault driver. Call our office to schedule your free consultation. We have helped people injured in car accidents in and around the 29605 zip code. All communications are confidential.
