Five Important Facts About Concussions

No one can predict getting injured in a car accident. With millions of vehicles on the roads, tens of thousands of car crashes occur every year. When you’re injured in a car accident, prompt evaluation and treatment by medical professionals who are experienced in auto injuries can make a major difference in your recovery and the overall outcome. 

Auto accident specialist, Robert Mitchell, MD, and our Tulsa Accident Care Center team have all the tools available to deliver the highest quality auto accident care when you need it the most. Concussions are one of the most common auto accident injuries and these brain injuries are often misunderstood. 

To dispel some myths and raise awareness, our experts have put together some crucial information you should know about concussions. 

1. Signs of a concussion aren’t always obvious

It’s natural to assume that a head injury like a concussion will cause very obvious symptoms that would alert you to trouble. But that’s not always the case. 

Car accidents happen in the blink of an eye and cause your adrenaline to surge as you deal with the immediate aftermath. The adrenaline can mask pain and other symptoms, so it’s easy to miss concussion warning signs, and you may even attribute them to the stress of being in a car crash. 

2. Even mild concussions can have serious effects

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury, and even mild concussions can have serious health effects. That’s why all concussions require prompt medical evaluation. If you hit your head in a car crash, it’s best to seek medical evaluation regardless of the severity. Leave it to our medical professionals to determine the extent of your injury and the next steps. 

3. Symptoms may not appear immediately

A car accident is a scary situation. Most people have a lot to think about and get in order right after a crash, and you may feel fine initially. Don’t expect that symptoms of a concussion will appear right away. 

The signs and symptoms of a concussion can take a day or more to crop up. If you hit your head in a car accident, it’s wise to visit a doctor like Dr. Mitchell who is trained in evaluating car accident injuries. Get checked out even if you don’t have pain or symptoms immediately after the accident. 

Specialists like Dr. Mitchell are trained to recognize even the most subtle signs of physical trauma. He and our team at Tulsa Accident Care Center will order the appropriate tests and thoroughly evaluate you.

4. Concussions don’t always cause unconsciousness

When most people think of a concussion, they tend to envision someone being knocked out briefly. The truth is, most concussions don’t render you unconscious. You may sustain a concussion in a car crash and remain perfectly aware and alert in the immediate aftermath. This makes it crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible after the accident. 

5. Head pain isn’t the only symptom (and sometimes there’s no pain)

Don’t assume that you’re fine because you don’t have head pain. Many signs of a concussion are unrelated to pain. 

Common warning signs of a concussion include the following:

Dr. Mitchell may order an imaging scan of your brain and perform a neurocognitive test to assess your cognition. 

Rely on auto accident injury experts

We’ve discussed just a few important facts about concussions. In the event you’re injured in an auto accident, rely on the training and knowledge of our team at Tulsa Accident Care Center to carefully and comprehensively evaluate your injury and get you on the right track to recovery. 

Schedule a visit with us to get the care and guidance you need. Call our office in Tulsa, Oklahoma, or book your appointment online today.

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