Could I have had a concussion after a car accident?

Question

Hello doctor,

My weight is around 141 lbs, my height is 5 feet 10 inches, and my age is 18. I got hit by a car yesterday and avoided most of the impact, only hitting my legs. I did not fall or go unconscious, but I got confused and kept walking straight to where I wanted to go and did my thing.

I was in a very weirdly bad mood after it. After I went out, I called a nurse to check my symptoms on the phone, but I kept walking around confused, not knowing where to go. I had shortness of breath and one-time leg pain, and I suddenly started crying.

After I called the ambulance, they checked on me and said my legs were fine. The paramedic said he was worried about how much I was shaking and how high my heartbeat was because it was probably even higher than usual in this case. When calling the operator, I kept slurring my words, unable to say the correct number for some tries, about 50 minutes after the crash.

After the paramedics asked me if I wanted to go to the hospital for an X-ray or stay home, I said home. On the way home in the car, I kept crying in bursts even after I calmed down, and it had been a while. After I got to the door, I suddenly got dizzy and lost my balance, and grabbed the rails before falling. When I was trying to explain the symptoms at home, I kept messing up my words repeatedly.

Today, one day after, I have a weird mood and am unable to think much. I have a slight headache on the right back of my head, and now it is worse, but only on the left back of my head. I am afraid I got a concussion.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

That sounds scary and overwhelming, especially for someone only 18 going through all that. Based on what you described, a concussion (a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that disrupts normal brain function) is very possible. Even if you did not hit your head directly or lose consciousness, the force from a car impact can shake the brain inside the skull and cause a mild traumatic brain injury.

Some warning signs in your story suggest this may have happened. These red flags include

Confusion and not knowing where to go.
Slurred speech.
Difficulty saying words correctly.
Dizziness and almost falling.
Shaking and a speedy heartbeat.
Sudden crying and substantial mood changes.
A headache that moved from one side to the other.
Trouble thinking clearly the next day.

Those are not just stress symptoms. Some of it could be adrenaline and shock, but slurred speech and confusion after trauma are vital signs. You should not stay home and just wait this out.

You need to go to the hospital now for proper evaluation. You may need a neurological exam and possibly a CT (computed tomography) scan to rule out bleeding in the brain. Even if it is only a concussion, doctors need to check you. You should go urgently to the hospital if you notice any of the following warning signs:

Worsening headache.
Repeated vomiting.
Increasing confusion.
Weakness in arms or legs.
Vision changes.
Extreme sleepiness.
Seizures (a sudden, uncontrolled disruption of electrical activity in the brain).

Because you are still having headaches and thinking problems one day later, you should be checked today. Right now:

Do not play sports.
Do not exercise.
Do not use screens much.
Rest your brain and body.
Stay with an adult who can monitor you.

It is frightening to think something might be wrong with your brain. But the important thing is you noticed something is not normal. That is smart. Get checked properly so you can be safe.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.