New Port Richey Auto Collisions and Concussions

Concussions^[1]are a common diagnosis following a motor vehicle accident [1]. Whether you’ve been injured in a car accident, motorcycle accident, bicycle accident, or pedestrian mishap, it is essential that you seek medical attention right away. Some people sustain concussions following a motor vehicle accident and don’t even realize it at first. A concussion is the most common type of traumatic brain injury caused by vehicle crashes. As with any traumatic brain injury, patients should be monitored closely to ensure that their symptoms don’t worsen or become life-threatening.

Causes of Concussions

Of all the types of traumatic brain injuries, a concussion is often considered the least serious. However, this is not to imply that concussions themselves are not serious. If left untreated, they can end up causing serious neurological problems. Something called Post-Concussion Syndrome may arise also.

The term “concussion” comes from the Latin word “concutere,” which means to shake violently [3]. Therefore, it makes sense to conclude that concussions are caused by sudden blows or impacts to the head, causing the brain to shake violently. The brain is encased in fluid within the skull, so when it moves around abruptly, blood vessels and nerves can be damaged. Consequently, this can cause the brain to not function properly. This explains why concussions are often suffered by people involved in motor vehicle accidents. When a vehicle is involved in a sudden impact, it will often cause the passengers head to slam forward, either making contact with something in the vehicle or causing whiplash. The degree of the concussion can be affected by several factors, such as the velocity of each moving vehicle, where the impact occurred on the vehicles, the mass of the vehicles, etc.

Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion

People who have suffered a concussion might experience problems with their vision, feel dizzy, and may even become unconsciousness, as their brains try to compensate for the sudden trauma. Although concussions are oftentimes accompanied by visible cuts or bruises on the head, concussions can be difficult to diagnose since there is no visible signs and the symptoms might not appear immediately. It may take hours, days, or even weeks after sustaining a concussion for the injured to notice the symptoms. Additionally, some symptoms may only last for a few seconds, while others may linger indefinitely. This is part of the reason it’s so important for those involved in motor vehicle accidents to seek medical attention immediately. Medical professionals can perform neurological tests on patients to help them determine whether a patient has sustained any injuries to the brain or elsewhere.

Some of the most common symptoms of a concussion include the following:

Dizziness
Loss of equilibrium
Headache
Slurred speech
Vision problems
Sensitivity to light and noise
Sluggishness
Clumsiness
Ringing in the ears
Memory loss
Lack of concentration
Behavior and personality changes.

Concussion Grades

Concussions are rated by their severity from Grade 1 to 3. Grade 1 concussions are considered mild, Grade 2 concussion are moderate, and Grade 3 concussions are severe [2].

Grade 1 concussions– symptoms usually last for no more than 15 minutes, and the individual usually doesn’t lose consciousness.

Grade 2 concussions– don’t typically result in a loss of consciousness either, but the symptoms may last for longer than 15 minutes.

Grade 3 concussions– result in the individual losing consciousness and symptoms may last for longer periods of time.

Treatment for Head Trauma

The severity of your concussion determines what level of treatment you require. Regardless of what kind of concussion you suffered, you should seek immediate medical attention. Grade 1 and 2 concussions usually require that you wait to resume your normal activities until the symptoms have fully passed, which can take up to a week or two. They should still be examined by a medical professional. However, a Grade 3 concussion usually needs to be examined by a professional neurologist who might request that you have a CT scan or MRI to determine whether you have any bleeding or other serious injuries to the brain. People with Grade 3 concussions may need to be hospitalized.

Contact a New Port Richey Concussion Attorney

When a car collision or other accident causes a concussion, an experienced New Port Richey auto accident lawyer can assist you. We will determine if any third-party is responsible for your damages and file a lawsuit, if necessary. The attorneys at the Dolman Law Group have extensive experience with traumatic brain injuries as well as other head and neck injuries. We are prepared to represent you to make sure that you are fully compensated for your injuries and other losses. Call us today at (727) 853-6275.