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Written by: Steven R. Clawson
| Read Time: 3 minutes

You know about obvious physical injuries after a California car accident, like broken bones and scratches.

With the whirlwind of things that happen after an accident, though, concussion symptoms can get swept under the rug. This can lead to further harm to your brain. 

Educating yourself on the common symptoms of a concussion after a car accident can help you evaluate your symptoms and get the help you need. 

What Causes Symptoms of a Concussion After a Car Accident?

According to the CDC, signs of a concussion after a car accident typically result from sudden changes in the brain. These changes can be chemical or physical, like damage to or “stretching” of the brain tissue. 

When Do Concussion Symptoms After a Car Accident Appear?

Symptoms of a concussion can appear moments after a car accident, or take days to develop. These can be more obvious and immediately noticeable, such as loss of consciousness, or subtle, like a headache. 

What Are the Common Symptoms of Concussion After a Car Accident?

Common symptoms of a concussion are headache, amnesia about the event, and confusion, according to the Mayo Clinic. Other symptoms of a concussion after a car accident fall into four broad categories: physical, cognitive, behavioral, and sleep changes. 

Physical Symptoms of a Concussion After a Car Accident

Physical symptoms of a concussion include:

  1. Headache,
  2. Ringing in the ears,
  3. Vomiting,
  4. Nausea,
  5. Changes in vision,
  6. Uneven or increased pupil dilation, and
  7. Balance or coordination issues.

Some physical symptoms of a concussion after a car accident can be masked by the other physical injuries from the event. You may be inclined to dismiss these symptoms as coming with the territory after an accident.

But talking to your doctor helps ensure you receive the appropriate medical care to aid in your recovery and prevent further damage to your brain. 

Cognitive Symptoms of a Concussion After a Car Accident

Cognitive symptoms of a concussion include the following changes:

  1. Confusion, 
  2. Amnesia about the event or details surrounding the event, 
  3. Long- or short-term memory problems, 
  4. Decrease in concentration, 
  5. Slowed thinking, and
  6. Trouble answering questions or following conversations. 

If you experience any of these cognitive symptoms after a car accident, you may have a concussion. Talk with someone who knows you well and sees you regularly to see if they’ve noticed anything “off” since the car accident.

Seeing a doctor is the only way to know for sure whether you have a concussion after a car accident. 

Behavioral Symptoms of a Concussion After a Car Accident

A concussion after a car accident can cause behaviors or mood changes, such as: 

  1. Irritability,
  2. Anger,  
  3. Anxiety,
  4. Depression, and
  5. Mood changes.

While it’s normal to feel anxious, sad, or even angry in general after a car accident, it may be a sign of a concussion. Talk with your doctor about these and other changes after a car accident. 

Sleep Changes 

Insomnia or over-sleeping can be a sign that you have a concussion, particularly if you didn’t have sleep problems before the car accident. 

How Long Do the Symptoms of a Concussion After a Car Accident Last?

Symptoms of a concussion after a car accident can last for days, weeks, or even years after the accident. Being seen by a medical provider as soon as possible can help get you on the right track for recovery.

Seeing a doctor also creates a paper trail that you can use if you have a personal injury claim. 

Wells Call Injury Lawyers—Compassionate, Competent Legal Service for California Car Accident Victims

At Wells Call Injury Lawyers, we devote ourselves to providing above-and-beyond legal services to our clients.

Our lawyers have tremendous experience litigating personal injury cases. This equips us with the tools necessary to get you the compensation you need to treat your concussion symptoms after a car accident.

Our lawyers take an inspired, creative, cunning, and adaptive approach to the practice of law. Clients praise us for our excellence, professionalism, and responsiveness.

Give us a call at 707-302-8029 or contact us online today for a free case evaluation. 

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