Concussions in Car Accidents

Causes, Legal Implications, and How Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers Can Help

Introduction

Car accidents are a leading cause of concussions, often resulting in hidden injuries that can significantly impact victims’ lives and their legal rights. A concussion, classified as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), occurs when a sudden jolt or blow causes the brain to collide with the skull’s inner walls, disrupting normal function. While commonly associated with sports, concussions are alarmingly frequent in motor vehicle accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), head injuries, including concussions, accounted for approximately 18% of all injuries in motor vehicle crashes in 2020. This article explores the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of concussions, with a focus on their prevalence in car accidents and the critical role of personal injury lawyers, like those at Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers, in securing justice and compensation.

Key Takeaways

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by impacts to the head or body, often lacking immediate symptoms.

In car accidents, concussions frequently result from rapid deceleration, whiplash, or direct head trauma.

Our personal injury lawyers at Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers excel at gathering evidence, coordinating specialized treatment, and consulting experts to ensure fair compensation.

Robust evidence—medical records, expert testimony, and life care plans—is essential for validating claims and maximizing their value.

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that temporarily impairs brain function. It occurs when a direct blow to the head or a forceful jolt to the body causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull.

This movement triggers metabolic changes and microscopic damage to brain tissue, often invisible on standard imaging.

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) states that “in many cases, people with a concussion never lose consciousness.”

Additionally, less than 10% of sports-related concussions involve loss of consciousness.

This highlights the importance of recognizing other concussion symptoms, such as confusion, dizziness, or headaches, as many concussions can be difficult to detect immediately without a loss of consciousness.​

Common Symptoms of Concussion

Symptoms of a concussion vary widely and may not appear right away. Immediate signs include:

Headaches

Memory loss (amnesia)

Appearing dazed or disoriented

Delayed symptoms, which can emerge hours or days later, include:

Difficulty concentrating

Irritability (especially in children)

Nausea or vomiting

Fatigue

Blurred vision

Emotional disturbances (e.g., mood swings)

A 2018 study in the Journal of Neurotrauma found that a substantial number of concussion patients experience delayed symptoms, complicating timely diagnosis.

Causes of Concussions in Car Accidents

In car accidents, concussions often result from the brain’s rapid movement within the skull during a collision.

Rapid deceleration, such as in a rear-end crash, causes the brain to move at a different speed than the skull, leading to bruising, stretched blood vessels, and disrupted nerve fibers.

Even without a direct head impact, violent motion can trigger a concussion. Contributing factors include:

Whiplash: Sudden neck movement exacerbates brain motion.

Airbag Deployment: While protective, airbags can cause secondary jolts.

Striking Objects: Contact with the dashboard or window increases risk.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant public health concern in the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1.7 million people sustain a TBI annually, with motor vehicle traffic being the second leading cause, accounting for 17.3% of these injuries.

Furthermore, motor vehicle traffic incidents result in the most significant percentage of TBI-related deaths, at 31.8%.

Diagnosing Concussions

Diagnosis begins with a neurological exam to assess brain function and cognitive tests to evaluate memory and concentration.

Imaging like MRI or CT scans may rule out complications (e.g., bleeding), though they rarely detect concussions directly. For persistent symptoms beyond four weeks, termed post-concussion syndrome, a specialist consultation is advised.

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine estimates that more than 50% of individuals with mTBI will develop symptoms, and approximately 15% will develop persistent disabling problems.

Immediate Steps After a Concussion

Post-injury, avoiding normal activities is critical. Rest promotes healing, while medical supervision monitors symptom progression.

Avoiding further head trauma is vital, as a second concussion before recovery, known as second impact syndrome, can lead to catastrophic brain swelling.

Treatment and Recovery

Rest is the cornerstone of treatment, allowing brain recovery. Gradual reintroduction of activities (e.g., light exercise) follows, but high-impact sports are discouraged initially. Modern management includes tailored physical and cognitive therapy. Emotional symptoms, like depression, may require psychological support. Recovery typically spans 1-4 weeks, though 10-20% of patients face longer timelines.

Complications and Risks

Post-Concussion Syndrome: Prolonged symptoms (e.g., headaches, dizziness) affect 10-15% of victims.

Second Impact Syndrome: A rare but severe risk, with mortality rates nearing 50%.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE): Linked to repeated concussions, causing long-term cognitive decline.

Prevention Tips

Preventing concussions in car accidents involves:

Wearing seat belts correctly.

Using age-appropriate child safety seats.

Leveraging vehicle safety features (e.g., airbags, crumple zones).

NHTSA notes that seat belts reduce head injury risk by 50%.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Seek immediate care if symptoms worsen, including:

Continuous vomiting

Prolonged unconsciousness (>30 seconds)

Severe headaches

Delayed symptoms warrant vigilance, as they may signal complications.

Long-term Effects of Multiple Concussions

Multiple concussions increase the risk of cognitive deficits and CTE.

A 2021 study by the University of Pennsylvania found that individuals with a history of two or more head injuries had over twice the risk of developing dementia compared to those with no head injury history.

Additionally, a systematic review indicated that traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with a 63% to 96% increased risk of all-cause dementia.

These findings underscore the significant impact of repeated head injuries on cognitive health.​ Tailored rehabilitation is essential for managing persistent effects.

The Critical Role of Personal Injury Lawyers in Car Accident Concussion Cases

Personal injury lawyers are pivotal in concussion cases due to their complexity:

Building Evidence: Concussions often lack imaging evidence, challenging insurance claims. Lawyers collaborate with neurologists and neuropsychologists to document symptoms and impacts.

Coordinating Treatment: Recovery may involve specialists (e.g., neurologists, therapists). Lawyers align treatment with legal documentation and secure settlement funds for care.

Consulting Experts: Accident reconstructionists establish crash causation, while medical experts link symptoms to the accident.

Maximizing Compensation: Lawyers quantify lost wages, emotional distress, and future care needs using life care plans, doctor statements, and interviews.

How Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers Can Help

The importance of a personal injury lawyer in these cases cannot be overstated. Gathering and presenting evidence to the insurance company is crucial for substantiating the claim and enhancing its value.

At Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers, we’re experienced in helping car accident victims with concussion cases navigate the legal and medical challenges they face.

Our firm is committed to providing exceptional representation and support, ensuring you receive the compensation and care you deserve. Here’s how we stand out:

Proven Results: With years of experience handling concussion and traumatic brain injury cases, our attorneys have successfully recovered hundreds of millions for clients injured in car accidents across Kentucky and beyond.

Personalized Support: We take a client-first approach, tailoring our strategies to your unique needs and keeping you informed throughout the process.

Maximizing Your Recovery: We fight aggressively to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and future care—especially critical for “invisible” injuries like concussions that insurers often undervalue.

Comprehensive Case Management: From gathering medical evidence to consulting top neurologists and accident reconstruction experts, we build a strong case to prove your injury and its impact.

For instance, we recently represented a client who suffered a concussion in a rear-end collision. Despite initial insurer pushback, our team secured a substantial settlement by leveraging expert testimony and detailed life care planning, ensuring the client’s long-term recovery needs were met. At Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers, we’re not just your legal team. We’re your advocates, dedicated to turning your hardship into hope.