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How do doctors diagnose concussions?

On Behalf of | Feb 9, 2022 | Personal Injury, Vehicle Accidents

After being in a car accident, you want to know if you have a personal injury case against the at-fault party. If so, the extent of your injuries and their required medical treatments may help you determine how much to seek in damages from the other driver.

Mayo Clinic explains how medical care professionals diagnose concussions. If you hit your head during the collision, or if you remember something hitting you in the head, you could have a head injury.

Cognitive test

Your doctor may administer several tests to gauge your cognitive abilities while conducting a neurological exam. The test gauges factors such as your memory, ability to recall facts and focus.

Neurological exam

After an initial examination, your physician may perform a neurological exam. The diagnostic test evaluates your reflexes, vision, hearing, coordination, reflexes, coordination and balance.

Medical observations

Your medical team may want to keep you in the hospital overnight for medical observation. If your doctor clears you for at-home observation, someone must watch over you for at least 24 hours to make sure your symptoms and condition do not worsen.

Imaging tests

Depending on your symptoms after the car accident, your doctor may want to conduct imaging tests to determine whether you have a concussion. Examples of imaging tests include magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography. MRIs pinpoint shifts in the brain and help medical care providers discover post-concussion complications. Using X-rays, CT scans build an image of the brain and skull.

You deserve a complete diagnosis of your medical condition after a motor vehicle accident. A full inventory of the injuries you sustained helps build your legal case.

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