Can A Car Accident Cause a Concussion?

A car accident can vary drastically, from a minor fender bender to a severe wreck. Injuries sustained by being involved in a car accident depend on the type of accident as well as the severity. 

Essentially, yes, a car accident can cause a concussion. However, it is important to seek professional medical attention if you’re involved in a car accident. Concussions can be common but are often left unnoticed. 

It’s important to consider the type of accident you were in as well as any symptoms you notice after the fact. Let’s dive in!

Hitting Your Head in A Car Accident

Any car wreck is capable of resulting in a concussion. If you hit your head either from a rear-ended collision or a more serious crash, you are at risk of concussion. 

According to Mayfield Clinic, “Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is sudden damage to the brain caused by a blow or jolt to the head. Common causes include car or motorcycle crashes..” 

The immediate symptoms of a traumatic brain injury may not present themselves right away. Unlike most other injuries, symptoms of a brain injury can take a while to develop. 

While we’re talking about concussions, it’s crucial to note that there are other types of brain injury that can be just as unnoticed, yet all the more serious. 

Concussion VS Other Traumatic Brain Injury VS Whiplash

We can’t say this enough, it is so important to seek medical attention in the case of any car accident, but especially if there are possible brain injuries. All brain injuries have the potential to leave long lasting effects on your well-being. 

A jolt or blow to the head can cause a variety of injuries. Whiplash is an injury to the neck that occurs when your head is jolted forward and backward as a result of a rear-end collision. Whiplash can accompany more serious injuries as well as cause future issues later down the line. 

Traumatic brain injuries include: concussions, contusions, diffuse axonal injuries, traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhages, and hematoma. As previously mentioned, such injuries are serious and should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible after an accident. 

Read More: I Got in a Car Accident Without Insurance, Now What?

Symptoms of A Concussion

While the symptoms can be tricky to notice, awareness can help determine if you may have suffered a concussion during a car accident. 

Here are a few common signs and symptoms of a concussion: 

• You did not lose consciousness after you hit your head. 
• Your ears are ringing.
• You’re having trouble focusing, your vision seems to be spinning.
• You experience terrible headaches.
• Your sleep is off. 
• You can’t concentrate and find yourself more irritable than usual. 

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with a concussion or you are curious if you have one after a car accident, we hope to have helped!

We know that dealing with any injury in addition to a wrecked vehicle can be beyond difficult. If you were left with a concussion or any other traumatic brain injury after an accident, be sure to reach out to a lawyer as soon as you can. Get an attorney on your side to fight for you.