A small study reveals that concussion patients still experience difficulties in driving even after their symptoms subside. According to the University of Georgia researchers, the patients showed erratic driving despite feeling like they had fully recovered from their head injuries.
Participated by 14 college-age individuals, the study engaged them on a driving simulator within 48 hours after they no longer felt the effects of their concussions. Study author Julianne Schmidt said that the participants had less vehicle control while they were doing the simulation and they swerved more within the lane.
Schmidt added that the findings of their study suggest that concussion patients should be restricted with their driving at least until the symptoms are clear. Furthermore, her team plans to create guidelines to help recommend when driving should be restricted.
Statistics
- Most traumatic brain injuries that occur are mild, particularly concussions.
- Adolescents/young adults and older adults are at high risk for concussion.
- Motor vehicle crashes were the third overall leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Among TBI-related deaths in 2006-2010, motor vehicle crashes, were the leading cause for children and young adults age 5-24 years.
- Aside from motor vehicle accidents, other common causes of concussion are falls and sports-related injuries.
What is Concussion?
Mayo Clinic defines concussion as a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function and causes headaches and problems with balance, concentration, coordination, and memory. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on the other hand, emphasizes that concussions are serious despite being described as a “mild” brain injury.
The signs and symptoms of a concussion may include the following:
- Amnesia
- Appearing Dazed
- Blurry Vision
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea
- Slurred Speech
- Vomiting
Head Injuries in Motor Vehicle Accidents
Head and brain injuries are among the top ten most common Kentucky accident injuries. As a Kentucky Accident Attorney, I must say that concussions are often difficult to detect because signs of it may take days or weeks to show. That is why it is necessary to see a doctor right away if you have been involved in a motor vehicle crash.
If you have been diagnosed with concussion, the most appropriate way to recover from it is to rest. It’s best to avoid activities that might injure you again and put your life at risk, including driving.
For more information contact the Louisville personal injury lawyers at The Shafer Law Office today!