Spotting Head Injury & Concussion Signs After a Car Accident

Key Takeaways

• After a car accident, seek medical care immediately.
• A closed head injury does not always provide outward symptoms but can result in traumatic brain injuries without treatment, including permanent brain damage.
• In some situations, depending on the type of traumatic brain injury, you may have damage to the brain tissue that causes complications to health and wellbeing.
• You can file a claim for your losses regardless of your TBI type. Let our attorney help you or your loved one navigate your legal rights.

After a car accident, many people overlook concussion symptoms, mistaking them for minor aches or stress. Ignoring these signs can leave you vulnerable to long-term health issues that affect your daily life. Without proper attention, a concussion may worsen, resulting in more serious complications and prolonged recovery.

Matz Injury Law can offer support as you seek to understand your options and protect your rights following a concussion-related injury. Take every head and brain injury seriously, and let our attorneys guide you in recovering damages.

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury resulting in the temporary loss of normal brain function, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. They are common brain injuries in car accidents. Though most are mild traumatic brain injuries and improve, some factors can lead to complications if not treated properly and soon enough.

This clinical syndrome typically causes transient and immediate changes in brain function, often including changes in consciousness or mental status. These injuries stem from force or trauma on the brain.

Why Are Concussions So Dangerous?

What makes concussions so dangerous is that they often may seem mild, leading people to forgo medical care for their head injury. However, concussions can cause long-term complications and even be life-threatening. Symptoms from a concussion can take days or even weeks to appear, so it is vital that you be proactive any time you have a head injury.

Client Story:

We helped a client several years ago who suffered a TBI in a rollover accident. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was concerned about exposure to other people. He walked about a mile to home instead of getting in an ambulance. It took several hours for the severity of his injuries to become noticeable. He is still recovering from that head injury three years later.

In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported over 69,000 traumatic brain injury (TBI) related deaths. Car accidents are responsible for 17% of TBI-related deaths. The only type of accident that caused more TBIs than car accidents was falls.

What Happens if a Concussion Goes Untreated?

The potential consequences of an untreated TBI or concussion injury can be debilitating and, in some cases, life-threatening:

• Headaches
• Mood changes
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Light or noise sensitivity
• Memory loss
• Personality changes
• Blood clots or bleeding in the brain

The CDC also states that ignoring the symptoms of a concussion can make the condition worse.

What Are The Different Grades Of Concussions

Concussion severity ranges widely based on factors such as force and location. The different concussion grades include:

• Grade 1: No loss of consciousness, some temporary amnesia, often less than 30 minutes
• Grade 2: Loss of consciousness and amnesia that lasts from 30 minutes to up to 24 hours
• Grade 3: Loss of consciousness for more than 5 minutes with ongoing or sustained amnesia lasting over 24 hours

What Causes Concussions in Car Accidents?

Car accidents are a common cause of concussions, as they create a significant amount of force when one vehicle collides with another. Even if there is no apparent exterior wound or head injury, the brain within the skull can suffer damage. The brain damage stems from the brain tissue striking the surface of the skull due to impact and force.

The sudden, violent head and neck movements during a collision often bring on the concussion symptoms. In any instance in which the head rushes forward and backward or side-to-side, this type of damage can occur, causing a contusion as the blood vessels in this area burst and hemorrhage.

As the brain moves back and forth, it collides with the skull’s inner walls, causing tissue and blood vessel damage as it does. A car crash from head-on or rear-ending is one of the most common reasons for these incidents.

Depending on the parts of the brain impacted, various types of brain tissue injury can occur. For example, the brain could strike one side of the skull and the opposite side, causing tissue damage. Conditions such as diffuse axonal injury (DAI), in which nerve fibers suffer damage, can also occur.

Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion After a Car Accident

A brain injury like this, called a traumatic brain injury or TBI, is one that can worsen over time, especially in the first 24 to 48 hours after the accident. Knowing the signs and symptoms of a concussion can help you get the care you need right away. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most symptoms occur in their severest form right after the initial,

The main signs and symptoms of a concussion after a car accident include:

• Trouble concentrating or remembering
• Headaches
• Drowsiness
• Difficulty with light and noise
• Vomiting and nausea
• Changes to vision
• Anxiety and nervousness
• Changes to sleep patterns
• Sadness or onset of depression
• Slurred speech
• Double vision

Signs of a Delayed Concussion After a Car Accident

Symptoms of a concussion may take time to become apparent. Though some signs appear immediately, individuals must suffer delayed symptoms a few days or weeks later. Some of the most common symptoms that may occur in the days following an accident include:

• Changes to concentration ability
• Sensitivity to sound or light
• Headaches
• Memory loss
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Depression onset

Recovering Damages For Chronic Concussions After a Car Accident

Victims of a car accident caused by another person may seek to file a claim against the responsible party and their liability insurance. In motor vehicle accidents, it can be critical to utilize the services of an experienced attorney to help you navigate the claims process.

Michigan is a no-fault state. This means the driver’s PIP insurance may pay initial medical bills and other losses from accidents like this. However, there are instances in which significant damage could also mean filing a claim against the at-fault driver.

Seek out medical care first. Document the symptoms you have. Carefully maintain records of all of the medical treatments and diagnoses you receive. Even in a mild TBI that may not be life-threatening, this documentation could help you improve your ability to recover damages.

The Eggshell Skull Rule

In personal injury law, the eggshell skull rule states that “you take the victim as you find him,” meaning that a defendant cannot claim that a victim was more susceptible than average to certain injuries to reduce their liability. The rule gets its name from the way every subsequent concussion is worse and does more damage to the brain. A person who has had multiple concussions is likely to suffer worse injuries than someone who has never had a concussion before. A defendant would be liable for the victim’s concussion injuries, whether it’s their first or their fifth.

Several years ago, we represented a veteran who had suffered multiple concussions in the military. He was involved in a car crash that seemed minor at first, except that it was his fifth or sixth concussion. This caused him to need far more medical treatment than other people might have needed. Under the eggshell skull rule, he was entitled to compensation for all of those medical bills.

Related Article: Michigan Personal Injury Protection Guide

What to Do if I Have Signs of TBI After a Michigan Car Accident?

After a car accident, there are several steps to take, even if you feel okay right now.

• If you have any open head injury or head trauma, seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 and let paramedics help you with head trauma. This may cause a severe TBI.
• Even without severe head injury that is apparent, if you structure your head on the steering wheel or any other hard surface, seek medical care right away. This can cause serious injury and impact quality of life.
• If you develop any type of changes in mental awareness, pain in your neck or shoulders, or changes in overall health not otherwise explained, seek medical care as soon as possible.
• In situations where you develop a hematoma or blood clots where you struck your head, seek medical attention right away.

Complete all recommended treatment in the emergency room, which often includes a CT scan and concussion evaluation. Also, be aggressive with the follow-up care you need.

Why Clients Choose Matz Injury Law

As skilled personal injury attorneys who have helped our clients recover millions of dollars in damages, let Matz Injury Law guide you. We listen to clients and work closely with them to get the most out of every claim or settlement possible. We help the insurance company treat you fairly and meet their legal obligations.

Testimonials

“Steve Matz deserves more than 5 stars! He went above and beyond to help me with my automobile accident/lawsuit, and stayed in constant contact with me. He cared about me as a person and how I was feeling or doing.” – Holly L.

“Mr. Matz was great helping me after my auto accident. I had no idea what was going on or where to turn but he led me the correct direction and to the right kind of doctors I needed to treat my injuries. He was there to answer any questions and still is, even if it’s not to do with the case he represented me on. His son is very helpful and caring also!” – Judy W.

“Many thanks to Jared and the staff at Matz Law! You definitely helped ease a very stressful situation. I really didn’t have to do anything, you folks did it all, which I appreciated very much. It’s never a pleasant experience when someone runs a red light and you wind up with life long injuries…and I sure didn’t want to have to deal with the insurance company too. 2 thumbs up from me!” – Kim B.

Related Resources

• When Does a Car Accident Go to Court?: A car accident may go to court if the plaintiff and defendant cannot agree on the terms of a settlement. If there is any question about the auto accident, its causes, or other complications, that may also lead to a lawsuit.
• Is It Worth Hiring A Michigan Car Accident Lawyer?: Hiring a car accident attorney is risk-free. With a free case evaluation, we can tell you if you may be owed additional compensation beyond what the insurance company offers.
• Seeking Compensation For Whiplash And Nerve Damage From Car Accident: Many types of head injuries are possible. If you have any of them, you may be able to recover damages.
• 2024 Guide to Michigan Car Accident Lawsuits: Car insurance laws in Michigan need to be clarified. Schedule a free consultation and use this guide to help you get started.

Need Help After a Head Injury or Concussion? Get Your Free Consultation Today.

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