Concussions are one of the most common and often one of the most overlooked injuries people sustain in car accidents. Because the symptoms aren’t always immediate or obvious, many accident victims don’t realize they’ve suffered a concussion until hours or even days later. When it is left untreated, a concussion can lead to serious and long-term health issues that affect your ability to work, concentrate, and enjoy daily activities. Recognizing the warning signs and knowing what steps to take next can help protect both your health and your legal rights after a crash. Consulting with a knowledgeable Las Vegas personal injury lawyer can ensure you understand your options for pursuing compensation.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to a person’s head that can stop the brain from functioning as it normally does. In car accidents, concussions often occur from sudden, violent movements, such as whiplash, where the brain is jolted inside the skull. They can also result from directly hitting your head on the steering wheel, dashboard, airbag, or window, or from the force of a sudden stop that throws your head forward and back. One reason concussions are frequently missed is that symptoms aren’t always immediate. They may take hours or even days to develop, and when they do appear, they can easily be mistaken for general stress, exhaustion, or shock after an accident.
Immediate Symptoms of a Concussion After a Crash
Some concussion symptoms can appear right away after a car accident. Recognizing these early warning signs can help you get medical attention quickly, which may prevent further complications. Common immediate symptoms include:
- Headache or Pressure in The Head: A sudden or persistent ache may surface within minutes of the impact.
- Confusion or Feeling Foggy: You may find it hard to think clearly or keep track of what’s happening around you.
- Dizziness or Balance Problems: A loss of coordination can appear even without head pain.
- Nausea or Vomiting: Feeling sick to your stomach soon after the crash.
- Sensitivity to Light or Noise: Bright lights or loud sounds may become uncomfortable or overwhelming.
Even if these symptoms seem mild, they can signal a serious injury.
Delayed or Subtle Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Not all concussion symptoms are obvious right after an accident. Victims sometimes overlook these as everyday fatigue or stress, but they could indicate your brain is still reacting to trauma. Warning signs include:
- Trouble Concentrating or Remembering Things: Having difficulty focusing or recalling details can emerge over time.
- Sleep Disturbances: Sleeping much more or less than normal, or having unusual difficulty falling or staying asleep.
- Irritability, Mood Swings, or Depression: Emotional changes like this can point to a concussion.
- Blurry or Double Vision: Noticeable changes with your vision may be a sign of a concussion. Ringing in The Ears: A persistent buzzing or ringing sound is another possible sign of a lingering concussion.
Pay attention to any changes in how you feel or function after an accident. If new symptoms develop, see a doctor as soon as possible to make sure you get proper evaluation and treatment.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention
While some concussion symptoms can be monitored through a regular medical visit, certain warning signs require immediate emergency care. These symptoms may point to a more serious brain injury that needs urgent treatment:
- Loss of Consciousness: Passing out, even for a few seconds, is a sign that you should seek medical attention right away.
- Worsening Headache: A headache that intensifies over time instead of improving could signal dangerous pressure or bleeding in the brain.
- Slurred Speech: Difficulty speaking or finding words can indicate a brain issue.
- Repeated Vomiting: Vomiting after a car accident in addition to having some of these other symptoms is a sign that you should seek medical help immediately.
- Seizures or Convulsions: Any shaking, jerking, or sudden loss of control over the body is always a medical emergency.
If you or someone else experiences any of these signs after a car accident, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Legal Considerations for Concussion Injuries
When a concussion is caused by a car accident, the legal side of your recovery can be just as important as the medical side. Concussions can impact your ability to work, drive, care for yourself, or enjoy life, and proving the extent of that harm is essential if you’re seeking compensation. Here’s how the legal process can address concussion-related injuries.
Proving the Concussion Was Caused by the Accident
A Las Vegas personal injury lawyer will work to link your concussion directly to the crash by using medical records, witness statements, accident reports, and sometimes accident reconstruction experts. This evidence is critical, because insurance companies often try to argue that your symptoms came from another cause or a previous injury. Showing that the accident was the starting point for your symptoms strengthens your case.
The Role of Medical Evidence and Expert Testimony
Detailed medical documentation is the most important aspect of your claim. Early diagnosis, consistent treatment notes, imaging scans (if available), and progress reports from neurologists or other specialists all help prove the seriousness of the injury. Expert testimony from physicians or other medical professionals can explain to a jury or insurance adjuster how the concussion happened, how it has impacted your brain function, and what the future prognosis may be.
Possible Compensation You Can Pursue
If your concussion was caused by the crash, you may be entitled to compensation for a range of losses. This can include the cost of medical treatment, emergency room visits, follow-up care, rehabilitation, and prescribed medication. It may also cover lost wages if your symptoms interfere with your ability to work, and damages for pain, suffering, and the emotional toll the injury takes on your daily life. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney in Las Vegas can guide you through the process and help you prove that your concussion came from the car accident and help you get compensation as a result.
Contact us today online or call (702) 919-6768 to schedule a free consultation with a Las Vegas car accident lawyer.
