How car accidents cause concussions
Concussions are caused by blunt trauma to the brain, and the force of a car accident can cause such trauma. Drivers and passengers may hit their heads on the dashboard, steering wheel, windshield, a window, or another part of the vehicle. Concussions are also common in pedestrian accidents when a pedestrian’s head strikes the top of the car or the ground.
However, you don’t have to hit your head on anything to get a concussion. If there is a violent jerking motion of the head, the brain can move forward and backward inside the skull, causing it to hit the bone. (The same type of motion can also cause hyperextension and hyperflexion of the neck, leading to whiplash.)
Know the signs and symptoms of a concussion
A serious concussion may result in loss of consciousness, but many concussions have more mild symptoms. Depending on the part of the brain that is damaged, those symptoms may include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Difficulty concentrating or reading
- Sensitivity to light
- Double vision or blurry vision
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Changed sleep habits (sleeping much more or less than usual)
- Fatigue
- Changes in mood or personality
- Loss of memory
- Confusion or disorientation
- Headache
There are a few things to keep in mind: first, symptoms may not be noticeable immediately after the accident, and second, some of the behavioral symptoms may be more obvious to someone observing the injured person than the actual injured person. That’s why it’s important to get medical attention right away after a car accident, even if you feel okay. Doing so protects your health and creates a record of your injury in case a car insurance company later disputes it.
Legal implications of a concussion in a car crash
Most concussions heal in time, but they can have significant effects on your life, both short-term and long-term. In addition to medical treatment, you may be unable to work for some time. You may also have to make changes to your lifestyle and hobbies, either to avoid a second concussion or because of symptoms of the concussion. Your family and home life may be affected, as well. Those are all real losses that demand real compensation. But your losses are also a threat to the insurance company’s bottom line, and the insurance adjusters and attorneys will do everything in their power to pay you as little as possible. The only way to rebuild your life is to get a fighter on your side.
Our job is to listen to your story, understand the full impact of the concussion on your life, and fight for full and fair compensation. We will launch a full investigation of your car accident to get to the bottom of what happened and why. We take a hard line in negotiations with the insurance company, and if they won’t pay up, we will take them to court. We have extensive trial experience and know how to build a compelling case for an Indiana jury.
We know you’re dealing with a lot after a car accident. That’s why you need to contact us as soon as possible. We can start the investigation promptly and take over interactions with the insurance company so you can just focus on healing. Schedule your free consultation today; you can come to our offices in Fort Wayne or South Bend, or we can come to you.
