When car accidents happen in the U.S., someone often suffers a serious and potentially life-altering injury. In fact, more than 4.4 million Americans require medical care after crashes on U.S. roadways every year. Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries are some of the more commonly reported car accident injuries in Georgia and across the country.
After any car accident, it is typically a good idea to pursue a full medical examination. This is true even if you think you have escaped with no injuries, as injury symptoms may take hours or even days to appear. When it comes to concussions, you may have one without having a bump on your head.
How concussions happen
Many concussions develop after a blow to the head. Consequently, if your head collides with your car’s airbag, steering wheel or side panels during an accident, you may be at risk for concussion. You do not have to hit your head to sustain a traumatic brain injury, though.
During rapid deceleration, such as when your car loses velocity in a crash, your brain may move around inside your skull. With this scenario, it is unlikely you would have a visible goose egg, even though your brain may have sustained catastrophic damage.
Why concussions are serious
While some concussions are minor, others may cause behavioral changes, vision impairments, confusion, dizziness and other problems. These concussion symptoms may worsen over time. Accordingly, you may need to consult with a neurologist or another brain specialist to boost your chances of recovering completely.
Even though a bump on the head is often a tell-tale sign of concussion, you may suffer a traumatic brain injury without having any visible signs of injury. Fortunately, if your concussion changes your life, you may be able to pursue financial compensation from the driver who caused the accident.