Can I Get a Concussion if I Didn’t Actually Hit My Head?
Concussions are one of the most commonly sustained head injuries, occurring when someone strikes his or her head against another object, or when the head is whipped forward and backwards suddenly and at great speed. These types of movements can cause damage to the brain cells, which in turn can manifest in a number of different ways, such as a headache, confusion, or vomiting. Even a mild concussion can take a long time to heal and can leave injured parties with mounting medical expenses in the meantime. Fortunately, these costs are compensable if an accident victim can prove that someone else was responsible for the accident in question.
There are Two Ways to Get a Concussion
There are actually a couple of different ways that a person can sustain a concussion. The first is through a sudden blow to the head, as when someone’s skull strikes the window in a car accident or the floor in a slip and fall scenario. The second way, however, doesn’t involve striking one’s head at all, but occurs when a violent shaking causes the brain to jostle around inside the skull.
This tends to happen most often in certain types of scenarios, such as car and slip and fall accidents, when the force of a collision (or a fall) causes the head to snap forwards and backwards on the neck. While they may seem less traumatic, the second form of concussion is just as dangerous as the first.
Concussion Symptoms
Accident victims who sustain concussions may suffer a wide range of symptoms, including:
- A feeling of pressure in the skull;
- Headaches;
- Nausea or vomiting;
- Dizziness;
- Problems with balance;
- Sensitivity to light or sound; or
- Confusion or memory loss.
More severe symptoms include chronic headaches, seizures and convulsions, changes in personality, and insomnia. Most of these symptoms show up within a few hours of the traumatic event that caused the head injury. It’s also possible, however, for symptoms to remain hidden, even for days afterwards. This is why it’s so important for those who sustained any sort of head trauma, to seek medical attention right away after an accident. This ensures that a person receives a prompt diagnosis and immediate treatment. Those who wait to obtain treatment, on the other hand, could experience delays in healing and may also have a much harder time filing a successful accident claim.
Available for Free Consultations
Traumatic brain injuries should not be taken lightly, as even the most mild of concussions could have significant repercussions on a person’s life, making it difficult, if not impossible to move on after an accident. If you sustained a head injury in an accident and have questions about your own recovery options, please call 404-593-0020 and set up a meeting with one of our dedicated and compassionate Savannah traumatic brain injury lawyers today. We are standing by and prepared to get started on your case right away, so don’t hesitate to reach out to our legal team by phone or online message at your earliest convenience.
Sources:
cdc.gov/headsup/basics/concussion_symptoms.html
hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/concussion
