The Hidden Impact of a Concussion After a Minor Crash in Alabama

If your head suffers a blow in a car accident, slip and fall accident, or any other accident, you should always seek immediate medical care. Often, the symptoms of a concussion or other head trauma are not immediate. The earlier doctors make a diagnosis of a concussion, the better the victim’s medical outcome is likely to be.

Why are concussion symptoms often missed?

Accident victims may delay seeking medical treatment after an accident for a concussion for the following reasons:

• An injury to the head is not obvious
• The symptoms don’t appear until hours or days later
• Victims may assume that the injury is minor and will go away in a short time
• Victims may believe that their injury isn’t serious because the accident was a low-impact accident
• Victims may think that it’s a bother to seek medical care when they’re not in agony

Why should accident victims seek immediate emergency medical care for any head injury?

Delays in the diagnosis and treatment of any concussion, head trauma, or mild traumatic brain injury can cause prolonged cognitive disorders, chronic head pain, and post-concussion syndrome. Delays can make a victim’s recovery more difficult and less effective.

Delays in treatment for a concussion or other head trauma symptoms can also affect your personal injury claim. The insurance companies and lawyers for the responsible defendants will argue that you waited to get treatment because you really didn’t suffer much, and that you sought treatment just to seek more compensation from the defendants. Insurance companies and defense lawyers will also question whether your head trauma is due to the accident or other events that happened after the accident.

If your auto insurance policy includes optional coverage like medical payments (MedPay), delays in seeking treatment could affect reimbursement eligibility.

Generally, if you are in any type of accident (such as a car accident), our Alabama brain injury lawyers recommend that you go to the nearest emergency room or see your family doctor as soon as possible. They’ll know what symptoms to look for and what diagnostic tests to order to confirm any injuries you have. They can also explain what symptoms, such as concussion and TBI symptoms, may not be immediately apparent.

You should be honest about what you’re experiencing. Difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and anything you’re feeling that you weren’t experiencing before the accident is a cause for concern.

What is a concussion?

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, a concussion is caused by a jolt or blow to the head or an injury to another body part that “transmits force to the head.”

Concussion symptoms include headaches, difficulty thinking, memory problems, nausea or vomiting, difficulty walking, dizziness, fatigue, mood changes, sleep disorders, and vision problems. These symptoms “may occur right away or may worsen over minutes or hours after an injury.” More severe symptoms include slurred speech, seizures, and convulsions.

Doctors typically diagnose concussions through a clinical evaluation, including questions to assess cognitive function and, when appropriate, imaging tests to rule out more serious conditions. They’ll ask how the accident happened and where your head might have suffered a blow. Doctors will also ask you to perform certain tasks to test your brain function. It helps if you have family and friends with you so doctors can talk to them about their observations of you.

Possible imaging tests include a CT (computerized tomography) scan or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) exam. Neurologists will also conduct different neuropsychological tests to see if you are having any cognitive difficulties. These may include:

• A RightEye test, an eye-movement tracking technology
• Videonystagmography (VNG). This “is another diagnostic option used to detect vestibular and oculomotor abnormalities.”

What are the treatments for a concussion?

Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends that accident victims who have a concussion get lots of rest, sleep at night and take naps during the day if needed. Treatments may include medications, physical therapy, and treatments for individual symptoms such as dizziness and headaches.

Other treatments may include:

• Cognitive therapy. These include treatments for cognitive processing, attention, and memory.
• Lifestyle changes. These treatments focus on nutrition, sleep hygiene, and stress management.
• Visual treatments. Medical providers help patients who have visual disturbances and sensitivity to light.

Many other treatments, including a “NeuroReset” (a tailored treatment plan) and other specific treatments might be recommended.

What steps can people in Huntsville take to reduce the risk of a concussion?

Safety precautions include wearing a seatbelt for each trip and ensuring that your children use their seatbelts (or safety or booster seats, depending on their age). Drivers should avoid the main causes of accidents. These causes include driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving while distracted, speeding, driving while tired, and many other traffic violations or types of careless driving. Property owners should keep their floors clear of obstacles, keep their floors dry, have proper lighting, and take other precautions to avoid slip and fall accidents.

According to Johns Hopkins, it can take weeks or months to recover from a concussion. Some accident victims need years to recover. If the victim has a traumatic brain injury, the symptoms, diagnostic tests, treatments, and disorders (physical, cognitive, and emotional) are likely to be more complicated and take longer to analyze and treat. Many TBI victims never fully recover.

If concussion symptoms last longer than three months, your doctor will need to determine if you have post-concussion syndrome.

How do you help concussion accident victims?

At Martin and Helms, our personal injury lawyers have more than 25 years of experience fighting for personal injury victims. We work with your doctors, and hire experts when necessary, to verify your injuries, the type of medical care you need, the cost of that medical care, and all the ways your injuries (such as concussions and traumatic brain injuries) are affecting every part of your life.

We have obtained millions of dollars in settlements for clients who have suffered mild traumatic brain injuries.

Call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation. We can explain your rights and explore all your options. We have offices in Huntsville and Decatur.