What To Know About Driving After a Concussion

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of brain injury. You can sustain a concussion if you receive a blow to the head or if your head is whipped back and forth. In each of these situations, the brain impacts the inside of the skull, or the brain tissue and nerves are stretched or torn. 

Concussions are not typically life-threatening. The effects of a concussion, however, can be. Additionally, failure to seek treatment or to take proper measures to address the concussion could lead to further brain injury. 

How Can You Tell if You Have a Concussion?

There are a range of symptoms that can accompany concussions. Effects you may experience following a concussion include: 

• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Dizziness and vertigo
• Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Vision disturbances
• Light sensitivity

Depending on the circumstances, these symptoms can vary in intensity. Each may potentially impair a driver sufficiently to cause a crash. 

Ultimately, a qualified medical professional is the only one who can definitively diagnose a concussion. However, if you have received a blow to the head or body and are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you likely have a concussion.

Can You Drive With a Concussion?

Driving with a concussion is possible. However, it is not recommended. In reality, a concussion is a medical emergency that should be addressed with prompt medical treatment. Symptoms and effects can overwhelm even the safest of drivers. 

In many cases, simple rest and relaxation are called for. Still, until an appropriate medical professional has evaluated you, it is typically impossible to know the extent of the damage, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid driving.

Driving with a concussion puts the public at risk of harm and exposes the driver to significant liability for damages if they cause an accident, including:

• Medical care compensation
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Other non-monetary losses

This means that choosing not to drive after a concussion can not only protect your health, but also your finances and legal rights.

How Long to Wait Before Driving After a Concussion?

General guidelines recommend waiting at least 24 to 48 hours before driving after experiencing a concussion. However, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) strongly suggests caution in each case. 

According to the agency, physicians should carefully monitor concussion patients individually to determine whether they can return to normal activities, including driving. 

Safety Is Always the Right Decision

Ultimately, your driving decision should be based on your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. The effects of concussion can significantly hamper the proper operation of an automobile and lead to accidents and both legal and financial consequences. As such, erring on the side of safety is always the right decision.

If you are involved in a motor vehicle collision of any type, it is essential to consult a qualified auto accident attorney in Las Vegas.

The Importance of Hiring an Attorney

After a car accident involving an impaired driver, hiring an attorney is one of the most important steps you can take. An experienced attorney like Adam S. Kutner can evaluate the crash details and determine who was responsible for your injuries. Your attorney can also negotiate a settlement on your behalf or fight for you in court. If you have been injured by someone who should not have been behind the wheel, the personal injury lawyers in Las Vegas have the knowledge and resources necessary to seek the compensation you need to move forward.

Citations:

Concussion. (2020).
Concussion. (2024).
Managing Return to Activities. (2023).