Car Accidents are the Leading Cause of Concussions

Car accidents are one of the most common causes of concussions. These brain injuries can be very serious and cause short-term and long-term effects that can cause pain, loss of quality of life, and a mountain of bills.

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury. It can be caused by a blow to the head or a whiplash injury. During the impact of a car accident, the brain will actually bounce back and forth off the sides of the skull. This can cause bruising to the brain. Car accidents are the leading cause of concussions followed by sports accidents. Immediately after the auto accident, the person may appear confused, not remember what happened, or experience nausea, blurry vision, or dizziness. The person may also appear fine and then begin exhibiting symptoms hours or even days later. These injuries which are asymptomatic for a period of time are known as delayed onset injuries.

All Concussions are Not the Same

As I have stated all concussions are traumatic brain injuries, but there are different degrees of severity.

1. Grade I – No loss of consciousness and there may or may not be amnesia
2. Grade II – Loss of consciousness for less than 5 minutes or amnesia for between 30 minutes and 24 hours.
3. Grade III – Loss of consciousness for more than 5 minutes or amnesia for more than 24 hours.

Unfortunately, many concussions do not appear visible on CT scans or MRIs. For this reason, insurance companies generally try to downplay the significance of a concussion which leads to unfair offers of compensation for accident victims who suffer a traumatic brain injury.

Even One Concussion Can Cause Permanent Brain Damage

That’s right, according to a study published in the Journal of Radiology, a single concussion can cause permanent changes in the brain.

It was shown that a single concussion could cause a significant reduction in brain function in certain regions of the brain. The two areas of the brain most affected were the anterior cingulate and the precuneal region.

The anterior cingulate is thought to have a direct impact on mood and therefore a decrease in function in this area is believed to be related to the increased incidents of depression in people who have suffered a concussion.

The precuneal region is thought to have a direct impact on higher thinking and cognitive ability. Damage to this region of the brain would explain the link between concussions and decreases in cognitive ability.

The study also linked a single concussion to long-term issues with anxiety, ADD (attention deficit disorder), and depression.

What are the Symptoms of a Concussion?

The symptoms of a concussion may be subtle and may not even be noticed until you return to normal activities. The most common symptoms include:

1. Headaches;
2. Nausea or vomiting;
3. Fatigue or drowsiness;
4. Difficulty sleeping;
5. Dizziness;
6. Convulsions or seizures;
7. Dilation of one or both pupils;
8. Loss of coordination;
9. Confusion;
10. Memory loss;
11. Slurred speech;
12. Irritability; and
13. Depression.

If you or a loved one are suffering from any of the symptoms of a concussion, immediately seek the care of a physician. It is extremely important not to ignore the symptoms and assume they will disappear.

Common Causes of Concussions

Car accidents are obviously one of the most common causes of concussions, but in addition to these, here are some other common causes:

Understanding the common causes of concussions is important for prevention and immediate recognition of symptoms. It’s always advisable to seek medical attention after a head injury, even if it seems minor, as symptoms of a concussion can be subtle and may be delayed.

Contact Jones Law Group

Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident? Contact an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney at Jones Law Group today. When you contact our office we will immediately set an appointment where you will meet your attorney and be provided with his/her personal contact information. If you do not have transportation or you cannot drive, your attorney will travel to meet you and discuss your concussion injury case with you.

Whether you were a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or the occupant of a car, motorcycle, or boat and have been injured in an accident, you should immediately call an experienced personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg at Jones Law Group at (727) 571-1333 during regular business hours or (727) 753-8657 on weekends or after regular business hours. We will evaluate your case for free and you will never pay us a dime unless we recover compensation for your injuries.