Minor car crashes could cause stress and overwhelm drivers. Most of these incidents leave little to no damage depending on the circumstances. Still, these collisions could lead to injuries, including concussions.
These mild head injuries happen when the brain bounces or moves inside the skull due to blunt force or impact. Even the most minor collision could cause a concussion. This injury is usually mild and improves in a few weeks. However, it could lead to various symptoms that could affect the patient’s quality of life, including the following:
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Balancing issues
- Dizziness and nausea
- Fatigue
- Vomiting and vision issues
- Inability to focus or concentrate
- Grogginess or mind fog
- Memory problems
- Confusion and anxiety
- Unusual mood swings
- Sadness and agitation
- Inability to stay awake or go to sleep
A patient could experience a combination of these symptoms. However, doctors might have difficulty diagnosing them as concussions because they frequently occur with other health conditions. Fortunately, these issues usually go away or get better over time. Still, patients might require medical care based on their symptoms or if they are showing warning signs of more severe injury.
Detecting danger signs
Sometimes, the impact of a minor collision could cause blood clots in the brain. If they develop, the patient will need emergency medical attention. This condition could result in the following danger signs:
- Persistent headaches that do not alleviate
- Numbness and weakness
- Reduced coordination abilities
- Sudden seizures or convulsions
- Restlessness and inability to recognize surroundings or people
- Unconsciousness
If the patient exhibits these symptoms without improvement, they might need urgent care.
Seeking medical care
Some might decide not to go to the hospital after a minor traffic accident and discover severe injuries hours or days later. It is best to see a physician immediately after the crash to ensure any injuries are detected and necessary treatments for recovery are received.
