Warning Signs that You May Have Suffered a Concussion

Not all injuries manifest immediately upon being involved in an accident. It is not uncommon, for instance, for the adrenaline and shock of an accident to mask symptoms in the immediate aftermath of a car crash. This can result in injured parties thinking that they are unscathed, when in reality, they should be seeking medical care. Unfortunately, this is very common with head injuries, as the symptoms of a concussion often don’t show up for a few hours or days after an accident. Knowing the warning signs of such an injury can go a long way towards ensuring that an accident victim receives timely treatment.

Defining Concussions

 A concussion is a type of brain injury that occurs when the brain strikes the inside of the skull, usually upon suffering some kind of forceful impact. While often deemed “mild”, concussions should still be taken seriously, as any brain injury can have potentially serious repercussions. Most people who suffer concussions in car accidents do so when their head actually strikes another object, usually the steering wheel, a window, the dashboard, or even the seat in front of them. It’s important to note, however, that a person doesn’t actually have to hit his or her head to sustain a concussion, as any violent movement of the head can cause the brain to strike the inside of the skull and cause damage to the brain tissue and blood vessels.

Concussion Warning Signs 

It’s important for accident victims to keep an eye out for certain symptoms after a crash, which could be indicative of a head injury. Early signs of a concussion include:

• Physical symptoms, such as headaches, nausea or vomiting, unusually sized pupils, and disrupted sleep;
• Sensory symptoms, like a ringing in the ears, sensitivity to light and sound, and blurred vision;
• Cognitive symptoms, such as a loss of memory, disorientation, or difficulty concentrating; and
• Behavioral symptoms, like irritability, mood swings, and changes in personality.

Accident victims who experience any of these symptoms should be sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible, so a doctor can diagnose and record the symptoms.

The Importance of Early Diagnosis 

It’s important to diagnose a concussion early for a couple of reasons. First, an early diagnosis helps protect a victim’s health. Brain injuries are serious and the sooner someone knows that they have one, the sooner they can begin treatment. Second, having an official head injury diagnosis creates a medical record of the injury that can be used to support a later claim for compensation. Having an early diagnosis is the best way to combat an insurer who may attempt to claim that an injury wasn’t the result of the accident, but was sustained somewhere else. Getting checked out by a doctor soon after a crash creates a record and makes it a lot harder for insurers to make this kind of claim.

Helping Tampa Accident Victims for Nearly 40 Years 

If you suffered a concussion in an accident through no fault of your own, the experienced Tampa brain injury lawyers at Anderson & Anderson can investigate the cause of your crash and help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Give us a call at 813-251-0072 or send us an online message to set up a meeting today.

Sources:

 mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/symptoms-causes/syc-20355594

cdc.gov/headsup/basics/concussion_symptoms.html