Can a Car Accident Cause Seizures?

Many types of injuries can occur during a car crash. Some of these injuries are minor, like scrapes or bruises. A collision can also cause more severe injuries, like traumatic brain injuries (TBI). 

In many cases, head injuries have long lingering health issues, potentially leading to terrifying seizures. If you or someone you care about has been in an auto accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury, you need to do two things. First, go to a specialist and get treated for the head injury and discuss the risk of seizures and epilepsy. 

Second, reach out to an Atlanta car accident attorney with any questions you may have. An experienced lawyer will fight for the compensation you need to help you recover and get your life back after a traumatic head injury.

Defining Seizures

When a brain undergoes head trauma or a concussion that alters or disrupts the usual electrical activity, a seizure can occur. The symptoms of someone experiencing a seizure may include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Uncontrollable muscle spasms
• Violent shaking

In some conditions, others experience additional symptoms that may include:

• Clenching of teeth
• Experiencing unusual sounds, visuals, and smells
• Loss of bladder or bowel control 

Seizures are often associated with Epilepsy, but Johns Hopkins Medicine differentiates the two conditions by describing seizures as single events and epilepsy as a neurological condition where the sufferer is susceptible to repeated seizures.

The Link Between Car Accidents and Seizures 

The victim of a car crash may be thrown around the vehicle, bashing their head against windshields, dashboards, steering wheel, or any number of potential hazards. Head trauma occurs when the head is shaken violently, causing the brain to collide with the skull.

The protective layer that is supposed to protect the brain is powerless when a brutal motion acts against the head and suddenly bashes the brain into the skull, disrupting electrical activity. This damage can lead to seizures. There are several types of brain trauma commonly associated with seizures, including:

• Brain bleeds
• Skull fractures
• Mild TBI
• Blunt-force head trauma
• Brain/skull penetration
• Open head wounds

Two types of seizures may result from a head injury suffered in a car crash: 

1. Early onset seizures: Often occurring within a day of the vehicle accident, about one in four people will suffer additional seizures in the months or years after the initial head trauma.
2. Late seizures: These often occur within days, weeks, or months following the initial brain trauma. Approximately 80% of the people experiencing these types of seizures will suffer from repeated episodes.

Types of Seizures

It is extremely important to seek medical attention immediately after a car accident, especially if a TBI is suspected. Undergoing an MRI, EEG, or other diagnostic imaging tests can help find a diagnosis. A car crash victim’s treatment plan can be determined after an MRI takes a deep look at the brain and an EEG diagnoses what type of seizure occurred.

There are many types of seizures, but TBI is associated with two types of seizures:

1.Partial seizure: Only impacting a small portion of the brain. They do not usually cause convulsions. Instead, this type of seizure may alter a person’s sense of taste or smell. They may not be able to control their emotional outbursts. Other symptoms may include: 

• • • Abruptly waking from sleep
    • Loss of bladder control while asleep
    • Sleepwalking

2.Generalized seizure: Beginning in one area of the brain before spreading across other areas, these seizures can cause convulsions. Some people experience confusion and look dazed, unaware of what is happening.

Traumatic Brain Injury and Epilepsy

In some cases, TBI can lead to epilepsy and repeated seizure activity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have studied the connection between TBI and epilepsy and found that more severe TBI offers a greater chance for the victim of a head injury to develop epilepsy. When TBI causes this, it is referred to as post-traumatic seizures or post-traumatic epilepsy.

Other factors are at play when it comes to victims of TBI developing into epilepsy—the age of the victim and if they suffer from other medical conditions. Data from a CDC study showed 1-in-10 patients hospitalized for TBI and over the age of 15 developed epilepsy within three years. A person may not realize they have suffered a TBI. It is important for family and friends to observe the victim of a car crash for the signs and symptoms, including:

• Anxious or nervous
• Confusion or problems concentrating
• Dizzy or problems with balance
• Easily irritated or angered
• Feeling more emotional or sad
• Headaches
• Looks foggy or groggy
• Nausea or vomiting
• Problems with memory
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Sleeping less or more than usual
• Tired or lacking energy
• Troubles falling asleep
• Vision Problems

Contact an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney Today

Any car accident lawyer in Atlanta will tell you the pain of a car crash is just the beginning of a long and arduous journey to recovery. This journey involves your physical, emotional, and financial well-being. It is best to have a skilled guide to help you navigate the rough terrain of negotiating with insurance companies and filing a personal injury claim.

Recovering from TBI can be especially trying. Medical bills pile up. It puts a strain on your family. It puts careers in jeopardy. In some cases, lives are put on hold or changed forever. An experienced Atlanta car accident attorney knows how exhausting it can be.

You need a strong advocate to help you successfully manage your claim and fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve. Contact us for a free consultation today.