Concussions are one of the most common and potentially dangerous types of personal injuries. They can happen in a variety of different situations. Even the most seemingly minor bump, blow, or jolt to the head can cause long-ranging impacts, with symptoms that take days, weeks, or even months to fully appear. As part of a national campaign regarding concussion awareness, our Bay Area personal injury attorneys want you to be aware of the warning signs.
Common Situations Resulting in Concussion
All concussions are serious, regardless of the symptoms you suffer or the way in which they occur. That is the message behind this year’s National Concussion Awareness Day, which is scheduled for Friday, September 20, 2019. Partnering with the Brain Injury Association, the goal is to shed light on one of the most common types of personal injuries, though it often goes unnoticed or is misunderstood.
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that can result from any type of bump, shaking, or blow to the head, which disrupts neural pathways. It can happen in a variety of situations, such as:
- Car, truck, or motorcycle accidents, including minor ‘fender benders’
- Bike and pedestrian collisions
- Slips, trips, or falls
- Getting struck by or against objects
- Sports and recreational accidents
- Violent assaults and situations involving domestic abuse
Any time a head injury or concussion is suspected, it is important to get medical attention immediately. Failing to do so could result in serious and potentially life-threatening complications. It can also jeopardize your rights in seeking the compensation you need to recover from your injuries.
Warning Signs of Concussion
Serious concussions can result from even minor accidents. In some cases, adverse effects may impact you on a temporary basis. In others, brain injuries that result from concussions can cause lasting disabilities.
Unfortunately, symptoms of concussion can be easy to miss, causing victims not to get the medical care they need. The Mayo Clinic urges accident victims and their loved ones to be aware of the warning signs:
- Feeling light-headed or dizzy
- A loss of balance and difficulty walking
- Feeling excessively tired or losing consciousness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Feeling dazed and having difficulty remembering details regarding your accident
- Having problems communicating with others or understanding what is being said
Long term effects of concussion include memory loss, problems with judgment or reasoning, and emotional disturbances. Victims may have difficulty sleeping or experience personality changes. Depression, increased anxiety, and fits of anger or rage are all common in the aftermath.
Contact Our San Jose Attorneys Today
It is important to understand the damage from concussions can have a cumulative effect. Once you have suffered one, the impacts of any subsequent blows to the head are likely to be significantly worse.
At the Jachimowicz Law Group, we help victims of concussions and their family members get the compensation they need to recover in a claim. To discuss how we can assist you, reach out and call our office or contact our skilled San Jose personal injury attorneys online for a free consultation.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/symptoms-causes/syc-20355594
https://nationalconcussionawarenessday.com/index.html