Many people feel dazed after an accident. However, not many realize that their shock and confusion might signify a concussion. This mild brain injury can occur even in minor accidents.
“Mild,” in this case, means that these injuries are typically non-fatal. However, they can still cause disabling symptoms that can affect you physically or mentally. These symptoms, in turn, may require treatment and medication. Moreover, you may be unable to work or engage in your daily activities until the symptoms improve.
Common Causes of Concussion Injuries
The brain is protected from injury by the skull, soft tissues called meninges, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). These structures cushion the brain from the forces generated through daily life, such as jumping or jogging.
However, some accidents can generate forces strong enough to overcome the protective cushioning provided by these structures. Several types of trauma can cause a concussion.
Head Trauma
Your brain is jolted when your head hits something, or something hits your head. As your brain shifts, it pushes on the CSF and meninges. The pressure damages the cells, producing inflammation. As brain tissue swells, it can result in a variety of symptoms.
For example, suppose you slip and fall on a slick floor. Slips usually cause the victim to fall backward, and since you generally cannot use your arms to stop your fall in this direction, you can hit the back of your head on the ground. The impact can cause a concussion injury.
Rapid Change in Speed or Direction
A direct head injury is not always required to cause a concussion. Rapid acceleration, deceleration, or changes in direction can rattle the brain enough to damage its tissues. Once again, the pressure of the meninges and CSF on the brain causes non-fatal damage that produces physical and cognitive symptoms.
This type of injury often occurs in traffic accidents. For example, when you get into a car accident, your head sometimes whips around. Your brain is jostled, and you suffer a concussion, even though you never hit your head on anything.
Symptoms of a Concussion
A concussion can produce a wide range of symptoms that can affect you physically, cognitively, and even emotionally.
Physical symptoms of a concussion can include:
- Headache
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Blurry vision or “seeing stars”
- Ringing in the ears
The following cognitive symptoms may also accompany a concussion:
- Unconsciousness
- Confusion
- Amnesia
- Difficulty processing information or solving problems
- Disrupted sleep patterns
Finally, some emotional symptoms you may experience after a concussion can include:
- Irritability
- Paranoia
- Depression
- Anxiety
These symptoms resolve in two to three months in most patients. However, some people experience a condition called post-concussion syndrome (PCS), which happens when concussion symptoms last longer than three months. While the cause of PCS is unclear, treatment goals often include managing symptoms to improve the patient’s quality of life.
Importance of Obtaining a Concussion Diagnosis
Many concussions go undiagnosed because victims dismiss symptoms, such as disorientation and an inability to remember all the details of their accident, as being “in shock.” However, concussions can also cause these effects.
Visiting a doctor after an accident helps you in two ways:
Protect Your Health
First, a doctor can examine you for more serious conditions, such as a cerebral contusion or a diffuse axonal injury. These injuries can cause permanent brain damage, coma, or even death.
Moreover, once you receive a concussion diagnosis, the doctor can prescribe medication and explain any restrictions on your activities. If your concussion affects your ability to work, the doctor can also write a letter to your employer explaining the tasks you cannot perform.
Protect Any Potential Legal Claims
Second, the doctor or hospital will record your concussion diagnosis in your medical records. These documents will play an essential role in any injury claim because you and your injury lawyer must prove that you suffered harm as a result of the other party’s actions.
Merely complaining that you suffered headaches and dizziness after an accident might not have much credibility. However, a medical diagnosis documented promptly after your accident will carry much more weight with an insurer or a jury.
Contact the Friendswood Personal Injury Attorneys at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers for Legal Help After a Concussion
Your concussion symptoms can cause significant losses. Your health could be adversely affected for months. You may be unable to work and, worse yet, require medication and medical treatment. Your quality of life could suffer due to pain, brain fog, and memory loss.
Our founding attorney has over 50 years of experience litigating personal injury cases in Friendswood, TX. For more information, contact The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation at (281) 992-8633 with one of our Friendswood personal injury attorneys. We can learn more about how your injury happened and discuss your potential legal options.
