Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers: Long-Term Effects of Concussions and Driving

Like any head injury, concussions can have lasting effects on a person’s ability to successfully perform simple daily activities, even after the initial symptoms of the concussion have disappeared. Until recently, there has been no research on the long-term effects of a concussion on a person’s ability to drive. Researchers at the University of Georgia’s College of Education are hoping to shed light on this potentially dangerous issue by conducting a study that specifically addresses driving ability post-concussion. Their findings suggest that when a person gets behind the wheel of a car too soon after a concussion, he or she is at an increased risk of being involved in a serious car accident.

The study included 14 college-age participants, all of whom suffered a concussion and were within 48 hours of no longer experiencing symptoms. Researchers observed each participant in a driving simulator so that they could analyze their ability to drive under a controlled environment. The study team revealed that many of the participants exhibited a range of problematic driving behavior, ranging from driving erratically to appearing to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Earlier concussion research generally focused more on how head injuries like concussions affect athletes. According to Julianne Schmidt, associate professor at the University of Georgia, when an athlete suffers a concussion, he or she must go through a series of tests that evaluate their brain’s functioning before they are allowed to return to the sport. There is no such checklist to help determine when it is safe for a concussion victim to drive. The purpose of this study, said Schmidt, is to compare the driving performance of individuals with concussions to those without concussions and examine the connection between neuropsychological and driving performance.

Further Research Needed

While current research suggests that anyone who has suffered a concussion should refrain from driving while symptoms remain, knowing when a concussed individual is truly safe to drive is difficult to determine. Little to no research is available that tells us when an individual’s pre-concussion abilities are fully restored. Dr. Schmidt and her colleagues at the University of Georgia hope to change that.

Concussions are generally considered a less serious form of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). While less severe, a concussion can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to carry out a range of simple tasks. In 2009, over 248,000 children under the age of 19 were treated for recreation-related injuries that included concussions or TBIs. Many others are caused by falls and car accidents.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Seek Maximum Compensation for Injured Victims

If you have been seriously injured in a car accident involving another driver who had suffered a concussion or was otherwise negligent, contact the experienced Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. Our dedicated team will work tirelessly to ensure that you are well compensated for your injuries. Protecting your rights is always our top priority. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.