Watch for These Warning Signs of a Concussion After an Accident
Our Salina personal injury attorneys explain common ways concussions happen and warning signs to watch for after an accident.
Bumps, blows, and jolts to the head are common in any type of accident. Even in seemingly minor cases, they can result in serious and potentially life-threatening personal injuries. Concussions are among the most common types of head injury and can end up resulting in long term impairments. Find out how they often happen and the warning signs.
How Do Concussions Happen?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a concussion can happen when bumps or blows and sudden jolts to the body cause the head to rock back and forth rapidly. This in turns causes the brain to shift or bounce in the skull, causing chemical changes and damage to brain cells that impact neural pathways. Concussions are one of the most common types of personal injuries and ways they frequently happen include:
- Car, truck, and motor vehicle accidents;
- Bicyclist and pedestrian accidents;
- Slips and falls;
- Sports and recreational accidents.
Whenever any type of accident happens and a concussion or other head injury is suspected, it is important to report it to the proper authorities and seek medical care immediately. Symptoms are often subtle but even in seemingly minor cases, can have life threatening or life altering consequences.
What are Warning Signs of a Concussion?
The American Associations Of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) states that there may be external symptoms of a concussion, such as bleeding from the ears or from a particular spot on the head where a blow occurred. Victims may also lose consciousness and be difficult to awaken. Loss of consciousness is not required for a traumatic brain injury. However, while it is hard to miss these dramatic signs, the AANS warns that there are often also more subtle signs of a concussion which can occur hours or even days after an accident and may indicate a potentially serious and even life-threatening condition. These include:
- Chronic headaches;
- Dizziness and disorientation;
- Difficulty walking and maintaining balance;
- Difficulty communicating or understanding what it being said;
- Memory loss;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Sleep disturbances;
- Vision impairments and loss of taste or smell;
- Changes in mood or personality, such as increased anxiety, depression, and fits of rage.
Even a mild concussion can end up impacting your physical, emotional, and cognitive health for years into the future. It also increases the risk you face from any future bumps or blows to the head. In some cases, these can end up resulting in permanent disabilities or even death.
Contact Our Salina Personal Injury Attorneys
When you or someone you love suffers a concussion due to an accident in which someone else is to blame, you have a right to hold them accountable for the medical expenses, lost wages, loss of function and other damages you suffer as a result. For trusted legal guidance in filing a claim, reach out to Neustrom & Associates. Call Pat or contact our Salina personal injury attorneys online and request a consultation today.