Understanding Concussions
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno car accident lawyer. Though concussions may not seem to be very serious, they are the most common type of brain injury and can have serious consequences. Traumatic brain injuries can sometimes be deadly. Some of the most common causes of concussions happen through sports or recreational activities. Other people sustain brain injuries in car accidents, slips or falls, or workplace accidents. The frightening aspect of a brain injury is that the sufferer may not realize they are ill until other symptoms present themseleves.
Concussion Anatomy
Let’s look into the anatomy of the brain to better understand what happens when you get a concussion. The brain is full of soft tissue and encased with a thick skull and surrounded by fluid which all help to keep this very important organ safe. All of this helps to make our brains resilient to a lot of movement and shaking but when a traumatic impact occurs bruising, bleeding, and trauma will result in the brain. Bruising is technically referred to as a contusion. However, a concussion is a broad term that lets us know there is trauma to the brain.
What Makes a Concussion so Dangerous?
What makes a concussion so dangerous is how often they go without diagnosis and treatment because usually the injury is not seen on the surface. This is especially dangerous in the event of a car accident or slip and fall. Sometimes the person will walk away from the incident not realizing the true extent of their injury. This can lead to bleeding in the brain which can make matters far worse. For this reason, it is best to be assessed by a medical professional if you have suffered a significant blow to your head.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of concussions are a loss of vision, lack of balance, headaches, and passing out momentarily. Why concussions go without diagnosis or treatment often is because symptoms may not present themselves until days or even weeks after the event or accident. Follow this link for more information about the signs and symptoms of concussions. Because symptoms vary so much, concussions are classified by grades 1 to 3 based on the severity of loss of consciousness. If you believe you have passed out or lost consciousness at all, you might have a concussion and need to be evaluated.
Recovery from Concussions
The severity of your concussion will determine the treatment needed. The best medical advice following a concussion for the best recovery is to seek medical attention right away. Even with a grade 1 concussion, it is best to be evaluated and with any grade, it is suggested to wait to resume normal activities until symptoms are gone. At a hospital, they will assess your level of consciousness with a series of questions and possibly do a MRI or CT scan of the brain if bleeding is suspected. If all looks well, you may be sent home to recover and rest. If symptoms persist or worsen, return to a hospital as soon as possible for further evaluation.
Preventing Concussions
To help prevent concussions, wear protective equipment to protect your head from injury. A helmet should be worn in contact sports as well. While driving, wear a seatbelt and drive cautiously. Obey the posted speed limit and avoid activities that may distract you.
Additional Resources:
- How Long Will a Concussion Last After a Car Accident?
- Home Concussion Test
- Concussions are Common Injuries in Motorcycles and Car Accidents
Fresno Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno car accident lawyer. Concussions are common and can be very serious injuries resulting from activities, car accidents, or even a fall. If you have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury due to the negligence of someone else, please call me at (559) 377-7676 for friendly and free advice anytime. Or call me on my toll-free line at (800) 404-5400.
I have been inducted into the California Chapter of the Million Dollar Forum. Trial lawyers in the forum have won million dollar verdicts.
Some of my verdicts and settlements from the past can be viewed here.
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Image Credit: By shgmom56 on Flickr – from Wikimedia Commons
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