What is a concussion? One of the most commonly ignored injuries in a car accident is a concussion. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a blow to the head or forceful shaking, both of which can be caused by a car accident. This causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull, causing bruising, injury to nerves, or damage to the blood vessels. There are three grades of concussions:   Grade 1: Mild; no loss of consciousness, but you have temporary amnesia for 30 minutes or less. Grade 2: Moderate; you suffer a loss of consciousness and amnesia for 30 minutes to 24 hours. Grade 3: Severe; you lose consciousness for more than 5 minutes or suffer amnesia for more than 24 hours. Can a car accident cause a concussion?     When you are in a car accident, your head can hit the dashboard, window, or another part of the car, causing a concussion. In fact, even an extreme case of whiplash without any direct impact on an object can cause brain damage. Concussions are commonly ignored because an individual may not display immediate signs and symptoms of a concussion. Long-term effects sometimes can be avoided if you seek immediate medical treatment. Symptoms of a concussion may not be the same for every person, especially between adults and children. Often, people who suffer from a concussion during a car accident do not lose consciousness. However, it is still possible and different for every person. A more severe concussion could result in an individual losing consciousness for 30 minutes or more. Some symptoms may be apparent immediately after the car accident, but others may not appear for hours or even days after the accident. It is critical to understand and recognize the various symptoms of a concussion. The most commons symptoms for a concussion from a car accident include:   Headache or feeling of pressure in the head Temporary loss of consciousness Confusion Memory loss Dizziness Ringing in the ears Delayed response to questions Appearing dazed Fatigue Difficulty thinking or “brain fog.” Nausea Vomiting Slurred speech Sleep problems Difficulty concentrating Sensitivity to noise or light   If you experience any of these symptoms after a car crash, seek immediate medical attention. Other than concussions, whiplash is the other most commonly reported injury after a car crash. While whiplash and concussions are very common, there are significant…...