Traumatic brain injuries are some of the most serious effects that can result from auto accidents. One type of TBI that a driver in Minnesota may experience is a concussion.
Overview of concussions
A concussion occurs from auto accidents because of blunt force trauma to the head from hitting a hard surface. The brain is comprised of soft tissue enclosed in cerebrospinal fluid that serves as a cushion between the brain and the skull.
The accident force commonly stretches and damages blood vessels and nerves of the brain. If the impact is strong enough, it can cause the brain to move inside the skull or push against it, thus bruising it. While some damaged nerve fibers commonly regain full function, other nerve fibers may remain permanently damaged.
According to stats, car accidents make up 25% of concussion cases and rank second as the leading cause. Besides auto accidents, concussions can be caused by falls, violence, contact sports, flying debris, blasts and military service.
Symptoms of concussions
A concussion may immediately cause fatigue, confusion, headaches dizziness, ear ringing, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting and amnesia. It is commonly believed that concussions always cause blackouts, but concussions can still occur without loss of consciousness.
Drivers may think they haven’t been injured, but some concussion symptoms don’t appear for hours or days. This is because of the adrenaline that the body releases during trauma; after it wears off, symptoms start showing. Some symptoms that don’t immediately show include amnesia, irritability, depression, light sensitivity, noise sensitivity and sleep issues.
An injured party may be able to seek compensation from the at-fault driver, but they should seek first medical treatment. Immediate medical treatment helps in recovery and can serve as proof of injury in court.