3 misconceptions about car accidents and concussions

Concussions are common car accident injuries.

The severity of a concussion can vary, and symptoms do not always appear right away. If you have recently experienced a car accident, you should be aware of the facts about concussions and avoid these common misconceptions.

You have to hit your head to get a concussion

You might walk away from a car accident thinking you can not possibly have a concussion because you did not hit your head. However, it is possible to sustain a concussion without a direct blow to the head.

When your body experiences a sudden impact, such as a car crash, your brain can shift inside your skull, causing a traumatic brain injury. Even if you did not hit your head during the accident, you should watch for concussion symptoms afterward.

If you have a concussion, it will be obvious right away

While a concussion can result in immediate symptoms like pain and loss of consciousness, this is not always the case. The symptoms of a concussion may take hours to appear. This is why it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident, even if you feel fine.

A person with a concussion should avoid sleeping too long

You might have heard the common but misguided advice that a person with a concussion should not go to sleep or should wake up every hour or two. Your doctor can decide whether you require observation or monitoring through the night. In general, however, uninterrupted rest is essential to recovering from a concussion.

Even if you are not experiencing pain or other symptoms immediately after a car accident, it is wise to visit your doctor to make sure you do not have a concussion.