Concussion From a Car Accident

Car accidents can result in a number of severe injuries. The most common injuries include concussions. Concussions are caused from the abrupt movement when two cars collide with one another. The abrupt impact between the two cars could result in whiplash, when a driver is pushed forward then pulled back. This whiplash could cause very severe concussions. It is very important to hire an experienced car accident personal injury attorney to pursue claims for you and seek reimbursement for the medical care received for your concussion. Concussions are very common in car accident cases, unfortunately, many people fail to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion. Failure to seek medical treatment immediately after car accident could result in severe permanent injuries.

How is a concussion caused during a car accident?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that results in severe damage to the brain. During a concussion, the brain is shook. Because of the strong impact between two cars, the driver is jolted and suffers great force against their head. The concussion can occur when the head moves front to back or from side to side. A concussion can also occur when the driver’s head strikes another object in the car, most commonly the steering wheel. When one car strikes another, the driver is pushed back, then pulled forward which then results in the driver hitting their head towards the steering wheel. Other places where a driver’s head could hit include the side window, the side door, or the windshield. When the airbag in the car fails to inflate, the driver is more likely going to hit their head on an internal object in the car and suffer a concussion. An airbag will not always go off in the car. Reasons for why an airbag might not go off include when the airbag is defective or the blow was not severe enough.

How is the severity of the concussion determined?

The severity of the concussion is determined by grades. There are three grades, each one representing the different level of seriousness. Below are the three grades:

• Grade 1:  amnesia is present but there has been no loss of consciousness
• Grade 2: there has been a loss of consciousness or Amnesia between 30 minutes and 24 hours
• Grade 3: there’s been a loss of consciousness for more than 5 minutes or I’m need you for more than 24 hours

Other ways a concussion is caused include when the driver is not wearing the seatbelt. Failure to wear a seatbelt pushes the driver back and forth more easily, suffering more severe injuries. Not wearing a seatbelt could increase the risk of a concussion.

Concussion and car accident statistics

• One person in the United States sustains a brain injury every 23 seconds
• Car accidents contribute to 14% of traumatic brain injuries in the United States
• In 2019, there was about 60,000 of traumatic brain injury deaths in the United States
• Veterans, people living in rural areas, and survivors of abuse are at a greater risk of dying from a traumatic brain injury
• Traumatic brain injuries in emergency rooms have increased 25% in the last 8 years

How can I tell if I have suffered a concussion after a car accident?

Our personal injury attorneys have decades of experience dealing with traumatic brain injuries. Below are common symptoms that many suffer after a concussion:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Unable to balance
• Ringing in your ears
• Memory loss
• Vertigo
• No taste or smell
• Quick irritation
• Mood changes
• Headaches
• Concentration problems
• Insomnia
• Difficulty speaking
• Aggressiveness
• Anxiety

If you have suffered any of the above symptoms after a car accident, it is important to seek medical care immediately.

How is a concussion treated?

It is very important to seek medical help immediately after a car accident. Although you may not remember what happened to you or you may not be suffering any pain, it is still very important to go to your medical provider to get imaging done. For example, failure to go and seek medical care may result in blood clots in the brain which could eventually lead to death. Failure to treat a concussion also leads to an impact on cognitive functioning.

Seeking medical help also helps when pursuing legal claims against the other defendant party. Many insurance providers require that plaintiff receive medical treatment before filing a claim for reimbursement. An insurance company could possibly deny claim simply because the driver never visited any hospitals. They could claim that they are not the cause for plaintiff’s injuries and these are injuries occurred before or after the accident. That is why it is very important to seek an experienced personal injury attorney to find the relationship between the accident and the treatment of the injury. Delaying treatment and long gaps after the accident could make it difficult for a plaintiff to seek compensation for their medical bills.

 Could I sue someone for a concussion after an accident?

If you have suffered a concussion as a result of an accident you are not at fault in, you may be able to seek monetary reimbursement from defendants for your medical bills along with any pain and suffering as a result. You could also seek lost wages from defendant since you are unable to work immediately after the accident due to the concussion. The at-fault driver could also be sued for emotional distress plaintiff went through during the healing process of their injuries.

How is a concussion diagnosed?

When you seek medical care, there are several ways you could be diagnosed. Your doctor will:

• ask questions about the accident
• ask questions about symptoms suffered after the accident
• order imaging, such as an MRI or a CT
• order a neurocognitive test
• order a neuropsychological test
• Order an eye test

How long does a concussion last after an accident?

The impact a concussion may have depends on each person. A concussion may last a couple days to a couple weeks to permanent cognitive difficulties. 1 in 10 who have suffered a concussion have permanent cognitive difficulties and impairments.

How much is my concussion worth in a car accident case?

There are several factors that affect how much a concussion is worth when involved in a car accident. These factors include, but are not limited to:

• The experience of the attorney
• Whether the concussion will have permanent effects
• Whether plaintiff had a job prior to the incident
• Whether the plaintiff could resort to getting back to normal
• Past medical costs
• Future medical costs
• Whether there were witnesses to the accident
• What symptoms plaintiff suffered
• When the plaintiff will be able to return back to work

Contact our attorneys today if you have suffered a concussion from a car accident. We are available 24/7, and have offices located in major cities in California. Our attorneys have decades of experience in personal injury car accidents, and will work to see compensation for your concussion damages.

***Disclaimer: This page is created by Heidari Law Group for educational purposes. This article provides a general understanding of the law. It does not provide specific advice. By using this site and reading through this page, there is no attorney-client relationship created between you and any member of Heidari Law. Further, due to the constant change of the law, some parts of the information above may no longer be good law.