North Carolina Highway Patrol agents investigated an accident last week involving a school bus and another car at Taylor’s Store Road in the vicinity of Tom George Road, slightly north of Nashville. A couple of students as well as the driver on the school bus may have suffered some injuries. The driver of the other vehicle suffered head trauma (brain injury) and had been brought to Nash General Hospital, according to troopers. This injured driver, whose identify wasn’t revealed, has been charged with failure to reduce speed.
Injury to the neck and head areas is a common result of any type of vehicle accident. In fact, it does not require a major accident to suffer pain to the neck, shoulders and head areas. Although this is known by most of us, what is not so obvious is the incidence of mild to moderate brain injury that can occur in what seemed like a minor crash in a car, SUV or truck. If you or a family member were injuredin a car accident and behavior or memory is unusual, a medical professional should be consulted immediately.
Concerning head trauma and brain damage or injuries related to motor vehicle crashes here are some symptoms to be aware of according to the Mayo clinic:
Mild traumatic brain injuries
The signs and symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury (concussion) may include:
* A brief period of unconsciousness
* Amnesia for events immediately before and after the injury
* Headache
* Confusion
* Dizziness or loss of balance
* Sensory problems, such as blurred vision, ringing in the ears or a bad taste in the mouth
* Mood changes
* Memory or concentration problems
Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuriesIf the brain/head injury is moderate to severe, the list of signs and symptoms grows to include:
* Persistent headache
* Repeated vomiting or nausea
* Convulsions or seizures
* Inability to awaken from sleep
* Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
* Slurred speech
* Weakness or numbness in the extremities
* Loss of coordination
* Profound confusion
* Agitation, combativeness
Children’s symptoms
Children with brain injuries/concussions may lack the communication skills to report headaches, sensory problems, confusion and similar symptoms. Instead, they may:
* Refuse to eat
* Appear listless and cranky
* Experience altered sleep patterns and school performance
* Lose interest in favorite toys or activities
When to see a doctor
To stay on the safe side, you should always get checked by a doctor if you or a close family member or friend have suffered a blow to the head. You should seek emergency medical care if signs and symptoms include:
* Convulsions
* Weakness or numbness in the extremities
* Repeated vomiting
* Slurred speech