Traumatic Brain Injury Following Motorcycle Accidents
Traumatic Brain Injury Following Motorcycle Accidents – When someone is involved in a serious accident, there are many injuries that a person could sustain. While there is always a risk of a crash regardless of the type of vehicle involved, those who ride a motorcycle are at an increased risk of serious injuries. According to information published by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- In 2015, more than 5,000 people were killed while riding a motorcycle.
- Unfortunately, this number was more than 5 percent higher in 2016, indicating that the country is moving in the wrong direction.
- Furthermore, per mile traveled, those who ride a motorcycle are 28 times more likely to be killed in an accident than someone who drives a standard car.
These numbers indicate that motorcycles still pose a risk of serious injuries and death to those who are involved in a crash. One of the reasons why this could be the case is that injuries are not always detected immediately. Recently, a research paper was published discussing the delayed presentation of a traumatic brain injury. If such a serious injury is not discovered early, it could result in catastrophic consequences, including death.
A Case Report: Delayed Presentation of a Traumatic Brain Injury
The report was published discussing a woman who was involved in a motorcycle accident and suffered the delayed development of a traumatic brain injury. Some symptoms at the time of the crash include:
- She complained of a mild headache but was able to remember all of the details of the crash that took place.
- The young woman was also complaining of back pain just under the neck.
- She was not able to turn her head completely from side to side. However, this was attributed to muscle soreness following the accident.
- She was tender to palpation of her neck and upper back, but her reflexes were intact.
She was discharged from the hospital without any focal neurologic findings. Therefore, a brain bleed was low on the differential diagnosis. Unfortunately, her symptoms would worsen.
Consequences of a Missed Brain Bleed
Unfortunately, her symptoms would not go away. Over the next month, she began to have trouble moving her right arm. She also noticed that she was not able to feel things as well using her right hand. The range of motion of her neck was limited as well. She returned to the doctor and discussed the worsening of her symptoms. A physical exam was performed, and blood pressures were noted to be different between her right arm and left arm. She also demonstrated abnormal reflexes. Imaging of her head was performed and detected a right subdural hematoma. She was taken to an operating room so that the brain bleed could be stopped. She spent several nights in the hospital and eventually made a full recovery. Even though this woman was able to make a full recovery, brain bleeds are still severe and could lead to permanent neurological consequences. It is important for everyone to be able to recognize when they are having symptoms of a brain bleed.
Help from an Attorney
When a loved one has sustained a traumatic brain injury and is experiencing severe symptoms, the medical workup can be complicated. Sometimes, the individual could spend some time in a hospital and might even require surgery. It is understandable to have questions after a serious accident, particularly one that results in a delayed traumatic brain injury. If not caught early, it could lead to severe complications or even death. With this in mind, it is a good idea to meet with a Sacramento motorcycle accident attorney. An experienced lawyer can help you review all of your options before making a decision.
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Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Sacramento. Motorcycle accidents can lead to major head and neck injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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Traumatic Brain Injury Following Motorcycle Accidents: AutoAccident.com
Image Attribution: The photo at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Unsplash. The image has been reproduced here with permission/ Traumatic Brain Injury Following Motorcycle Accidents.
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