By: One of the most common causes of concussions is the direct impact of the head on an object or a surface. However, you can also get a concussion even if you don’t hit your head.
A concussion is often more serious than most people realize. If you suspect you have a concussion, it’s better to get a medical evaluation. Concussions can lead to health complications and financial expenses. If you got a concussion due to someone else’s fault, there could be legal options for you to recover compensation for your injuries.
Understanding Concussions
A concussion is a relatively common injury. However, that doesn’t make it any less serious. Before we dig into how you can get a concussion without hitting your head and the legal routes to seeking compensation, let’s understand the mechanics behind concussions.
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a jolt, blow, or bump to the head or by the rapid back-and-forth movement of the head.
A concussion can disrupt the function of the brain, including its ability to communicate with the rest of the body. While a concussion is usually not a life-threatening injury, it can certainly be life-changing.
Symptoms and Complications of Concussions
Many people may suffer concussions without realizing it. This is why it’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms of concussion as there is no imaging test such as an MRI or CT scan that can diagnose concussion.
A physician has to rely on a comprehensive physical inspection and the symptoms reported by the patient to determine if there is a concussion. The signs of a concussion can range from clearly evident to very subtle depending on the severity of the injury and other factors. The most common symptoms of a concussion include:
- Constant or recurring headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Light-headedness
- Sensitivity to noise or light
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Loss of concentration or focus
- Anxiety or panic attacks
Getting a Concussion Without Hitting Your Head
If you are wondering whether you can suffer from a concussion without hitting your head, the answer is yes. Anything that causes violent shaking or moving of the head can cause a concussion. If you’re in an auto accident, the forceful movement of the head could be enough to cause a concussion without hitting anything.
Whiplash — a common type of injury in auto accidents — can also cause you to suffer a concussion. Even if you wear a seatbelt, the sudden acceleration and deceleration of the head can be enough to cause a concussion. Similarly, sports accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, or explosions can cause your head to move back and forth suddenly and forcefully, causing a concussion.
Lasting Damage of Concussions
Research shows that even minor concussions could potentially have a long-term impact. For example, a study in 2014 showed concussions leading to an increase in developing young-onset dementia. Several other studies have shown that a concussion can lead to lower cognitive performance in the long run.
Victims of concussions often underestimate the long-term impact of the injury, including its financial and emotional implications. If you are thinking of filing a lawsuit against someone who caused your concussion, you should consider the long-term impact of the injury. This will help you determine the full and fair compensation for your injuries.
What Is the Treatment for a Concussion?
The symptoms of a concussion can be difficult to assess. In some cases, the symptoms don’t appear until hours or days after the injury. If you have been diagnosed with a concussion, you will likely be prescribed physical and mental rest. You may also be prescribed some pain medication.
The first few days of the concussion are more critical, and you need to carefully watch your symptoms. Any activity that requires intense mental concentration should be avoided in the first 48 hours after the injury. After a period of rest, you should gradually increase your activity levels. Your physician may recommend that you have shortened work days or school days in the aftermath of the injury. If you feel your symptoms are getting worse, contact your physician. If your symptoms last beyond three months from the time of the injury, you could be suffering from post-concussion syndrome. Discuss the possibility of this with your physician.
Contact Us To Discuss Your Options
A concussion is a serious injury and you should not take it lightly. If you suffered from a concussion that was caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Consult an attorney for guidance on your legal options to get full and fair compensation for your injuries.
Insurance companies will often try to downplay the impact of concussion, and this is one of the reasons why you want to have a skilled brain injury attorney on your side. Let an attorney handle the legal aspects of your case while you focus on recovering.