Post-Concussion Syndrome After a Car Accident

Whenever you are involved in a car accident, you are at risk for a variety of injuries.  While some of the injuries may be visible immediately, such as burns, bruises, cuts, and possibly even broken bones, some other injuries may not be so visible.  A couple of examples of injuries that would fall into this category would be concussions, and a related injury known as post-concussion syndrome.   If you or someone you care for has suffered, or you believe is suffering, from a concussion and/or post-concussion syndrome after a car accident, then there are several things that you will need to know.

A concussion is essentially an alteration of the mental state of a person attributed to the biomechanical force that affects the brain.  Sometimes, but not always, these concussions may or may not cause a person to lose consciousness.  In automobile accidents, a concussion may occur when a passenger receives a blow to the head, but not always.  Actually, a concussion can occur simply from the force of the car starting or stopping quickly.

The symptoms of post-concussion syndrome after a car accident are completely different from the symptoms of a concussion following a car accident.  Commonly referred to as “shell shock,” post-concussion syndrome is a complete set of identifiable symptoms that can consistently affect a person for as long a year or more following a concussion.  The exact symptoms of post-concussion syndrome are numerous, and include:

• Headaches
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Loss of Memory
• Irritability
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Light and Noise Sensitivity

If you or a loved one has been suffering from any of these symptoms, then it may be time to get professional help.  A medical professional will be able to perform the right tests in order to determine if the brain has suffered a severe injury, and they will also be able to prescribe the appropriate treatments.  Never wait to seek medical attention, particularly if symptoms worsen.

Post-concussion syndrome after a car accident can really be a difficult thing for many people to deal with.  Especially considering that many questions are still unanswered regarding the condition in the medical community.  If you have been involved in an accident, suffered a concussion, and are now suffering from symptoms that are similar to the ones mentioned here, you cannot afford to take your life into your own hands and not seek treatment.  Post-concussion syndrome is serious, and may be a sign that greater damage has been done to your brain.

Treatment for post-concussion syndrome may include prescribed medications, cognitive therapy and psychotherapy.  And if you are concerned about the costs of these treatments, don’t be.  If you believe that your injury was directly caused by an accident in which you were not at fault, you may be able to seek damages from the party who was at fault.  However, this means that you cannot delay in doing two things:

• First, get the medical help that you need and make sure that all your treatments and the costs associated are documented, and
• Second, get the legal help that will be necessary in order to hold the negligent party accountable for your injuries resulting from post-concussion syndrome after a car accident.