Jersey Shore Personal Injury and Employment Specialists

Concussion: Troublesome injury possible in a car accident

On Behalf of | Jan 9, 2019 | blog |

The violent force of a car wreck can lead to serious injuries for the victims. One of these is a concussion, which is possible in just about any crash. Understanding some basic information about this type of injury might help you to spot the signs if you were involved in a motor vehicle accident.

One of the troublesome factors of concussions is that the symptoms might not be present right away. You may think that you escaped the accident unscathed only to realize later that you did have an injury. This is one reason why anyone who is involved in a crash might choose to have a medical evaluation. It might not find everything that is amiss right away, but it may help you to learn what to look for in the following days.

Causes of concussions

The most obvious cause of a concussion in a wreck is that you hit your head. This could be on the dashboard if you are flung forward or a door if you are slammed sideways. It is also possible that you can suffer this injury if your head moves about violently. The force of the jerking of your head can cause the brain to slam into the skull, which can cause the injury even if you don’t hit your head. Because of the slamming motion, it is possible that you can suffer damage to more than one area of the brain in a single accident.

Signs that something is wrong

There are many signs that you have a concussion. These might show up shortly after the accident, but they can also appear days or weeks later. You have to pay close attention to your abilities and how you are feeling daily.

  • Pressure in your head
  • Persistent headache
  • Dizziness or feeling dazed
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Vomiting or nausea
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Delays with communication
  • Slurred speech
  • Fatigue or sleep changes
  • Irritability or changes with personality
  • Trouble with memory or concentration
  • Light or sound sensitivity

Healing after an injury

When you suffer from a concussion, you will need to take time to heal. This usually involves giving your brain time to rest, so doing things that are thought-heavy might not be possible. You may also have to relax and not do too much physical activity. This can impact your ability to work and you may have to limit your social engagements. Following your treatment plan and listening to the doctor are important.