Many people don’t readily associate concussions with traumatic brain injuries, because the injuries are usually not life-threatening. But make no mistake, a concussion is indeed traumatic, and the effects can be serious — and often delayed.
A concussion is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells.
Those familiar with traumatic brain injuries know that symptoms don’t always manifest immediately. This is why obtaining medical treatment right after an accident is paramount for your safety and well-being.
Symptoms of a concussion
If you have recently been in an accident and are wondering if you have a concussion, know that symptoms fall into four categories: cognitive, emotional, physical, and sleep-related. Here are some signs to be aware of:
- Feeling like the world is moving in slow motion
- Problems formulating coherent thoughts
- Issues with concentration, even for short intervals
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Problems with balance
- Light sensitivity
- Noise sensitivity
- Irritability
- Prolonged sadness
- Loss of energy
- Excessive anxiety
- Insomnia
- Increased sleep
Some of these symptoms, such as increased sleep and insomnia, may seem contradictory. Further complicating matters is the fact that you could be suffering from just one of these symptoms or a combination of them. It is, therefore, important to undergo evaluation from an experienced medical provider.
If you have sustained a concussion, you will likely exhibit symptoms immediately. However, this isn’t always the case. Symptoms can manifest later as a delayed concussion. In fact, it often can take days or weeks for symptoms to develop. Always remember that it is best to undergo an evaluation from a qualified medical professional, preferably a neurologist, rather than self-diagnosing.
Delayed concussion symptoms are related to post-concussion syndrome, which is when concussion symptoms last longer than a month. Some people have reported post-concussion syndrome symptoms lasting for more than a year.
Re-injury following a concussion
Following a concussion, doctors often tell patients to rest and not be overly active. Research shows that the chances of incurring a second concussion following an initial incident are quite high. This is especially true if your brain has not fully recovered.
Since the symptoms of a delayed concussion are not immediately apparent, sustaining a second concussion on top of the first one could result in more severe damage. In addition to further damaging the brain and killing brain tissue, additional injuries can cause more severe symptoms — often debilitating and life-changing.
Proving damages to seek restitution
Unlike other types of injuries, such as broken bones, no definitive tests exist to exactly diagnose a concussion. Because there is no visible injury to the brain, this makes it difficult to diagnose through objective measures such as imaging tests such as CT scans or traditional MRI.
Most concussions are diagnosed based on symptoms, physical examination, and circumstances. If a positive diagnosis was never made, our lawyers use our medical experts to make the case that we can see in hindsight that a client suffered a concussion.
A concussion is one of the most common injuries frequently resulting from car accidents. If you have sustained a concussion following a car wreck caused by another driver’s negligence, you have the legal right to file a claim against that driver and seek compensation. While filing a lawsuit seems like a lot of work, obtaining the compensation you deserve can help you treat and adapt to your condition.
Give our team a call and arrange a free and confidential consultation to discuss your options. The Biegel Law Firm will represent your interests and help you see things in a different light.