Concussions[1] are a common diagnosis following a motor vehicle collision. No matter 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 can sustain concussions and not even realize it at first following a motor vehicle crash. Concussions are the most common types of traumatic brain injuries caused from vehicle crashes, and as with any traumatic brain injury, patients should be monitored closely to ensure that their symptoms don’t worsen and become life-threatening.
Causes of Houston Concussions
Of all the types of traumatic brain injuries, a concussion is 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. Concussions are caused by sudden blows or impacts to the head that causes the brain to shake violently. The brain is encased in fluid within the skull, so when it shakes violently within your head, blood vessels and nerves can become damaged. Consequently, this can cause the brain to not function normally. Obviously, this explains why concussions are oftentimes an injury suffered by people involved in motor vehicle accidents. When vehicles impact, it causes a sudden blow that individuals oftentimes experience in their heads. The degree of the concussion can be affected by several factors, such as how fast the vehicles were moving, where the hit occurred and so on.
Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion
People who have suffered a concussion might experience problems with their vision, they might feel dizzy and they may even fall into unconsciousness because their brains are confused and not functioning properly. Although concussions are oftentimes accompanied by visible cuts or bruises on the head, concussions can be difficult to diagnose since the symptoms might not appear immediately. It can take hours, days and sometimes even weeks after sustaining a concussion for you to begin to notice the symptoms. Additionally, some symptoms might only last for a few seconds while others may linger indefinitely. This is part of why it’s so important for people involved in motor vehicle accidents to seek medical attention immediately. Medical professionals can perform neurological tests on patients to help them determine whether patients have sustained any injuries in their heads directly following an accident.
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.
Grades of Concussions
Concussion are rated by their severity. Grade 1 concussions[2] are considered mild while Grade 2 concussion are moderate and Grade 3 ones are severe. With Grade 1 concussions, the symptoms usually only last for no more than 15 minutes, and the individual usually doesn’t lose consciousness. Grade 2 concussions usually don’t result in a loss of consciousness either, but the symptoms might last for longer than 15 minutes. Grade 3 concussions, on the other hand, usually result in the individual losing consciousness, and symptoms may last for long periods of time.
Houston Treatment for Head Trauma
The severity of your concussion determines what level of treatment you require. Regardless of what kind of concussion you suffer from, you should seek 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. 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 have to be hospitalized.
Contact a Houston Concussion Attorney
When a car collision or other accident causes a concussion, an experienced Houston auto wreck attorney can assist you with determining if any third party is responsible for your damages and filing a lawsuit if necessary under Texas law. The attorneys at the Stewart Guss law firm have experience with concussion and other head and neck injuries caused by auto collisions and they are prepared to represent you to make sure that you are compensated for your injuries and other losses. Call our office at 800-898-4877 today.
References
[1] http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/symptoms.html
