One of the common forms of brain damage is a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and the effects can be life-altering. There are different ways a person can have a brain injury. A person can have a severe fall and bust their head on something, or something substantial can fall on a person’s head. The most common cause is a TBI in a car accident. Whether mild or severe, any damage to the brain can be horrific when it comes to the symptoms. One of the worst TBI is a concussion. In a car accident, many people come out with whiplash. The question arises if it is possible to get a concussion from whiplash.
The Answer
Any sudden impact can cause TBI. Sports accidents, A car accident can happen with such force; it causes the neck to strain so severely, causing a concussion. When it comes to whiplash, it takes a massive blow for a concussion to occur. Anyone who receives a head injury for any reason should remain on constant surveillance and close communication for 24 hours or more. If a person has a concussion, it is possible to slip into a coma or have permanent brain damage. It is critical to take action if a person has any signs or symptoms. Medical attention should be a priority.
Whiplash
Any abrupt movement of the head and neck forward, backward, or side to side can cause whiplash. The sudden jolt can harm both the neck and brain, causing a person to become limited due to the movement’s pain and restriction. Daily activities can become halted or more complicated. Car accidents are the leading causes of whiplash, and it is the most difficult to diagnose since the damage is hard to detect on X-rays.
It does not matter how fast a person is moving to get whiplash. All it takes is a spur of the moment impact, catching the person off guard. If a surprise collision occurs, the worse the injury will be. Whiplash and concussions have the symptoms to be on the lookout. Since vehicles’ impacts are violent, it is almost impossible to avoid whiplash because there is no way for the human body to prepare itself for what is coming.
The Symptoms of a Concussion
The symptoms are something that can lead to severe issues down the road. Taking note of each sign can help the medical professionals diagnose the severity. If the TBI is due to negligence or an accident, it would be helpful to an attorney to keep track of the information. These are the signs of being aware. Headaches, memory loss, confusion, mood swings, and sensitivity to light and noise are among the most common. When a person feels dizzy, off-balance, blurry vision, slurred speech, and nausea or vomiting, the cases are usually worse. If the person becomes sluggish or tired, the person has to remain awake for no less than 24 hours. They can only sleep for periods of no less than 10 minutes to keep them from falling into a coma.
You Obtained a Whiplash Injury in a Car Accident, what are the Next Steps?
- Call 911 to request a police officer and, if needed, an ambulance.
- Gather the insurance information of the other driver(s).
- Say little else to the other driver(s). You don’t need to be rude, but you should remember that every word you say could be used against you when filing a claim.
- Seek immediate medical attention for any injuries you’ve suffered.
- Gather contact information of witnesses and take pictures of the scene of the crash, if possible.
- Contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible.
If you obtained a whiplash injury due to a car accident because someone else’s negligence, reach out to a car accident attorney as soon as you can.
Being Spared from a Concussion
If the impact is light, a person can have whiplash without the concussion. It all depends on the intensity and how well the person braced them at the moment of impact. Like whiplash, concussions do not show up on MRIs or CT scans. The only way to get an accurate diagnosis is through the medical professionals who monitor the symptoms. A little fender bender may spare the person the physical damage, but in major car accidents, the only question is how bad the TBI is. It is one of the first things the medical professionals look into because even with today’s technology, it can go undetected if not checked out.
Look Into Every Detail
In the end, the statistics show whiplash is the most significant cause of concussions. In any accident, whether big or small, every person who has whiplash should get tested for a concussion. It can not only save a person’s life, but it can also keep a person from having to go through the long-term damages. There should be no reason or excuses for a person to stay guessing. The doctors can perform tests for tinnitus, concussions, vertigo, or any bone fractures in the upper neck and back area. If all of the signs are there for a concussion, there is no reason a person cannot obtain a full recovery. If the conditions are mild, treatments can happen in a person’s home.