Signs of a Concussion After a Car Accident

Head and brain injuries are common in motor vehicle accidents. They can occur when the forces of a car accident whip the head and neck rapidly around, damaging the brainstem. They can also occur as a result of the skull striking elements within the car, such as the steering column. It is important to recognize whether you have a concussion after a car accident in Houston. A concussion could escalate into a more serious traumatic brain injury if you do not seek immediate medical treatment.

A headache is one of the most common signs of a concussion or another type of head injury after a car accident. While the stress of the car accident alone could give you a headache, pay special attention to how you feel if you know you struck your head in the collision. If your headache worsens or persists even with over-the-counter medications, it could be a sign of a more serious brain injury. A headache combined with other symptoms of a concussion is also a red flag.

If you feel dizzy after a car accident, it could be due to a concussion. Concussions can impact a victim’s equilibrium, leading to dizziness, vertigo, spinning and loss of balance. You may also have a concussion if you notice a sensitivity to light or sound.

Other symptoms of a brain injury are nausea and vomiting. If you feel nauseous or your stomach is sensitive after a car accident, it may be a sign of a concussion. If you vomit soon after the accident, this could also be a sign that you suffered a head injury.

Some patients with concussions experience drowsiness or fatigue, while others have trouble falling asleep. Sudden sleeping problems that you did not experience before the car accident could point to a concussion. You may experience the desire to sleep much more than usual or have the opposite problem and struggle with insomnia.

A concussion could impact the part of your brain responsible for storing memory. If you experience any type of memory loss, including being unable to remember what happened in the car accident, see a doctor about a potential brain injury. Severe or long-term memory loss is typically associated with a major brain injury.

It is normal to feel confused or overwhelmed when thinking back to a car accident. You may not know exactly how the crash happened or what you did in the aftermath of a bad accident. If you continue to feel confused, disoriented or have trouble concentrating in the days following the crash, however, it could be a sign of a concussion. You should also not be confused about basic facts, such as the date or time of day.

A concussion from a car accident could cause changes in your mood, attitude and personality. The most common patient complaint is feeling irritable in the days or weeks after a crash. Irritability, being short-tempered, aggressiveness or anxiety could be signs of a potential brain injury if you did not experience these issues before your crash. The same is true for unexplained changes in your personality.

In a more serious case, a concussion can cause a temporary loss of consciousness. If you do not remember parts of your car accident, it may be a sign of blacking out due to a concussion. In general, the longer you lose consciousness, the more severe the head injury. A serious brain injury could also cause seizures or a coma.

See a doctor for a checkup immediately after a car accident , especially if you notice any potential symptoms of a concussion. Keep in mind that a concussion may not show symptoms for a few hours or even days after your crash. Going to the hospital right away can help you diagnose and treat a concussion or another type of traumatic brain injury.

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