One of the most common types of injuries experienced after a car accident is post concussion syndrome (PCS). This is considered a mild traumatic brain injury, and it needs to be taken seriously. A concussion is the result of a person’s brain moving and hitting the inside of their skull. This can occur even when a vehicle is traveling at speeds as low as 30 mph. It may not be a life threatening condition. The symptoms can still make it a struggle for a person to participate in their regular daily activities.
It is possible for a person to lose consciousness. A concussion often occurs prior to a loss of consciousness. A person could also experience a mild form of amnesia. It can result in a person having problems with their memories for a few days to several weeks. It’s also possible for a concussion to cause a person to experience a low level of pain in their head for a few days after a vehicle accident. With PCS, a person may feel dizziness and be unsteady. It could also upset a person’s stomach and result in them vomiting. A person may also have slurred speech and struggle to answer any questions asked of them. This could also result in a person experiencing such things as insomnia, blurred vision, anxiety, and more.
There are many factors involved with an individual recovering from PCS. In many cases, the time required for recovery may not be able to be predicted. It is common for some people to be able to recover quickly. They are back to their regular routine in a few weeks. There are others who experience symptoms and cognitive issues for several days after an accident. In some cases, it can take a year or longer to recover. Physicians understand how the effects of this condition are not able to be predicted based on a person’s original injury. There could be underlying causes that are unknown.
Many medical professionals believe PCS symptoms are a result of a disruption of the messaging system in the nerves caused by structural damage to the brain. Others believe it’s also possible for PCS to be related to psychological factors including anxiety, depression and more. Researchers are still trying to understand how some people experience persistent PCS symptoms and others have their symptoms stop a short time after they start. Studies have shown there is no connection between the severity of an accident and the length of time a person experiences PCS symptoms.
Studies have shown as a person’s age increases; they have an increased risk for experiencing PCS. A person’s sex is also a factor for developing PCS. Women are at a higher risk for being diagnosed with this condition. Some researchers believe this might be because women are more likely than men to get medical care.
There is not just one testing technique that establishes if someone suffers from PCS. If a person’s physician suspects they may have this condition; they may order a scan of their patient’s brain. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computerized tomography (CT) scan could be performed. These will be able to identify any structural abnormalities within a person’s brain. Should a person have extensive dizziness; they may be referred to a physician who specializes in ear, nose, and throat issues. Should a person be experiencing depression or anxiety; they may be referred to a psychologist.
When a person in Tennessee has PCS as the result of a vehicle accident; they need to speak with a personal injury attorney. These legal professionals will know how to work with an insurance company. Their experience enables them to make certain an accident victim gets the necessary compensation for their recovery. A personal injury attorney will know how to protect their client’s rights and obtain the best possible result.
After spending his secondary years of study at The McCallie School in Chattanooga, G Turner Howard III earned his BA at Tulane University. A member of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, he received his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law. Before becoming an attorney, he earned a Master’s and Doctor of Divinity at Andrews Theological Seminary and Columbia Theological Seminary. He also served as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army in Vietnam. With more than 20 years of experience, his firm has helped clients receive millions of dollars for personal injury, and in many cases, much faster than they ever expected.
