Treating Head Injuries After An Accident

Head wounds and concussions are severe injuries that can occur even during low-speed car accidents. The safest component in a vehicle – the seat belt – is really only designed to protect your chest and torso. Your head remains rather vulnerable during a crash, and even when an airbag is deployed, injuries can still occur.

Head injuries can cause long lasting symptoms, including:

1. Concussion Duration

The long-term effects of a concussion depend largely on the severity of the injury. Concussions are typically graded on a three-point scale:

Grade I concussions are considered mild.

Grade II concussions are considered moderate.

Grade III concussions are considered severe in nature.

Most individuals who suffer a Grade I or Grade II concussion notice that symptoms resolve within 7 to 14 days, but severe concussion symptoms can linger for many months.

2. Symptoms and Severity

If you believe you’ve suffered a concussion immediately after a car accident, or if symptoms arise in the days or weeks after an accident, you’ll want to speak to an injury physician. Some people think you can only suffer a severe concussion if you were knocked out cold during the accident, but that’s simply not true. Left unchecked, symptoms can worsen and lengthen the healing process. Here are some symptoms to watch out for:

Headaches

Dizziness

Confusion

Feeling of a “mental fog”

Difficulty sleeping

Trouble concentrating

Irritability

Anxiety and depression

Sensitivity to light

Unlike broken bones that eventually heal over time, concussion symptoms can lingerif you return to work, school or activity too quickly. To ensure full recovery, a doctor will examine your brain with the help of an MRI. This will allow them to see any chemical or physical changes.

Once diagnosed, your doctor will likely prescribe a course of rest, cognitive and physical therapy and medications. With severe concussions, you can’t expect symptoms to resolve within a couple of days. Headaches and light sensitivity can last for months, but if you stick to your rehab plan and ease your way back into athletic activity and work, you’ll slowly notice that symptoms will lessen. If you’ve suffered a head injury as a result of an accident, call the attorneys at Edelstein Law, (215) 893-9311.