The truth is, after a car accident, you might not always know that you received an injury right off the bat. Over time, the injury might seem to worsen until you end up hospitalized with something that ended up being more serious than you initially expected. Concussions are a type of injury that might not appear to be serious until it causes huge impacts on your life.
Concussions are considered to be a type of traumatic brain injury. Although many of the effects, such as headaches and concentration issues, are only temporary, others are not and can be lasting. Some concussions are so serious that you might lose consciousness or develop depression or sleep disturbances that can affect your life for some time.
The Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Concussions
In some cases, a concussion might not be as serious and could just lead to short-term results. Perhaps you struck your head slightly in the accident and now you are suffering from momentary confusion or dizziness. Maybe you feel as if your brain is in a fog or there is a ringing in your ears along with some nausea. Though it is always imperative that you see your physician so that you can have a thorough checkup, the minor impacts left in the wake of a concussion usually go away on their own.
Sometimes, the impact of a concussion does not come until hours or even days after the accident took place and can stick around for some time. Some of the symptoms that you might experience with more serious brain injuries include trouble with concentration, irritability and other mood changes, sleep disturbances, psychological problems, and even disorders that impact your smell and taste. Enduring long-term effects of a concussion is actually a rare occurrence. Only 20% of people suffer from post-concussion syndrome, which can have huge consequences on your life, but with the help of a specialist, you can control these symptoms in many ways.
If you want to reduce the impact of a long-term concussion, it is important that you seek help for your injuries between one and two days after your accident. Emergency treatment could help you from sustaining even further consequences from your accident.
Damages Available After You’ve Received a Concussion
After you have received a serious concussion in an accident, you could be eligible for damages that you never even imagined. Damages are divided into two separate categories: special damages and general damages. Special damages could cover aspects like medical expenses caused by the injury, subsequent treatment, and lost wages from having to miss work for some time. General damages, on the other hand, include aspects that are not as quantifiable, such as pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and psychological distress.
Getting Help After You’ve Sustained a West Virginia Car Accident
After you have sustained personal injuries in a West Virginia car accident, you might wonder what options you have for recovery. Concussions can turn into extremely serious events and you might be left to pick up the pieces on your own. This is why it is a good idea to speak with one of our attorneys at Katz, Kantor, Stonestreet & Buckner immediately so that you can retain your rights and ensure that you are being protected every step of the way. Please reach out to us at (304) 713-2014 for more information on how we can assist you.
