A car accident involving children creates overwhelming fear and uncertainty. Even if there are no apparent injuries parents should be concerned because head injuries are a significant concern. Many children experience delayed concussion symptoms making their diagnosis incredibly difficult for doctors. This post delivers guidelines into what parents should be looking for and what steps to take next.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a mild type of traumatic brain injury which develops when sudden movements or head jolts affect the body. People commonly believe that head impacts cause concussions but this is not always so. In the event of a car accident, a child’s body can experience enough force to develop a concussion even when their head stays unharmed. Children usually show delayed concussion symptoms which may become visible many hours or days after they were injured.
How a Concussion Exhibits Itself in Children
It is important to identify the signs of concussion at their early stages. The symptoms are many and varied but their manifestation depends on how old and developmentally advanced the child is.
Physical Symptoms
Physical indicators include lasting headaches combined with vomiting, excessive tiredness, and reduced tolerance for light or noise.
Emotional Symptoms
Post concussion, children can become extremely irritable, sad, anxious, or exhibit precipitous mood swings.
Cognitive Symptoms
The cognitive effects of concussion include trouble concentrating, being mentally “foggy,” and forgetful.
Sleep-related Symptoms
Sleep disorders are also prevalent and can manifest as sleeping too much, difficulty sleeping, or abnormal sleeping patterns. It takes time for car crash concussion symptoms to develop. Parents must observe their child for several days after the accident since delayed symptoms might develop after the initial shock has passed.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Seek immediate medical help if your child vomits continually, faints, becomes confused, has slurred speech, or starts having seizures. Have them evaluated by a healthcare expert even if serious indicators remain absent. After reviewing your child’s symptoms pediatricians might suggest a rest period and monitoring. At times patients are referred to specialists for additional medical assessment and treatment.
What Parents Can Do After a Car Accident
After a crash, parents must stay alert and composed in the days that follow. For medical assessments, observing your child’s behavior and reporting any new or abnormal signs can be extremely useful. A written record of these observations aids physicians in making better-informed treatment and recovery decisions.
Keep your medical reports and insurance information as well as accident documentation easily accessible for reference. Safely store your important documents at home since you might need them for future legal or medical consultations. You should consult a legal expert about your situation whenever another motorist’s carelessness led to the collision.
Lawyers help manage claims and documentation so that you can focus on your child’s healthcare needs. Your case can also be aided by tools such as VIN inspect that offer detailed vehicle history reports that might be useful during lawsuits.
Endnote
Concussions in children should never be taken lightly, regardless of how minimal the symptoms initially appear. Immediate identification and the right treatment can help them get better. Be intuitive, take professional medical counsel, and do not hesitate to fight for the best interests of your child along the way.