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Car collisions can cause a wide range of injuries depending on the speed of the vehicles and the circumstances of the impact. Some of the most dangerous injuries are those that impact the head and brain. Unfortunately, these can also be difficult to detect, as symptoms may not begin until days or even weeks after the incident. Even minor brain damage can worsen over time without a proper assessment from a healthcare professional.

As such, it is crucial to seek medical treatment after Elgin car accidents, no matter how mild or severe your symptoms. After a visit to the hospital or doctor’s office, a skilled car accident lawyer could help you pursue compensation to cover your medical bills and other expenses related to the collision.

How do Concussions Occur in Car Crashes?

It is common knowledge that vehicular collisions can cause concussions, also referred to as closed head injuries or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Typically, these types of injuries occur in the following scenarios:

  • Hitting your head against the window or car frame
  • Hitting the airbag
  • Getting whiplash from the impact of the collision

However, a concussion can occur any time the brain is tossed around inside the skull, even if the outside of the head was not impacted. As such, it is critical to seek medical treatment immediately after being involved in any car wreck to get assessed by a professional.

Head Injury Symptoms

Contrary to popular belief, a person does not have to lose consciousness to sustain a concussion or head damage in a car crash. Those who suffer head injuries in a car crash may experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Blurry vision
  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Difficulty speaking or focusing
  • Memory loss
  • Change in personality

However, these symptoms may not be apparent immediately after the accident, which makes the condition difficult to diagnose. If the brain hits the inside of the skull, it can sustain damage or even bleed. This type of injury will not be apparent from the outside and will require special testing to detect.

Testing for a Brain Damage after a Car Wreck

After a car accident, ER doctors or other medical professionals may order a CT scan or an MRI of the victim’s brain to look for any internal bleeding. Unfortunately, these tests do not always detect concussions or other head injuries.

Many classic signs of a closed head or traumatic brain injury do not begin immediately after the car crash. If a victim or their family begins to notice any of the above symptoms, a physician may make a referral to a neurologist. In many cases, a person may not get diagnosed with a head injury until weeks or even months after the auto collision.

Speak with a Lawyer about Head Injuries in Elgin Car Accidents

As such, it is important to seek immediate medical treatment after a car wreck and continue to monitor symptoms for any head or brain damage. If your head injury was caused by another driver’s negligence, you may also wish to contact an experienced lawyer to help pursue compensation to cover medical costs and other losses associated with your accident.

At the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd., our attorneys have over thirty years of experience handling these types of injury cases. Our team could handle any potential civil claims for your car accident and advise you on seeking medical treatment for your symptoms. For more information about head injuries in Elgin car accidents, call our law firm today.

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