Most of us have heard the term “concussion” at some point in our life. Maybe when we were younger and our mom hovered over us after a bad fall or on one of the many TV dramas at the scene of an accident. But what is a concussion and how does it affect our brain? A concussion is a form of Traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injury (otherwise known as TMI) happens every 15 seconds in the United States and is the leading cause of death for people under the age of 45. Car accidents top the list of the leading causes of traumatic brain injury in the United States.
Your brain is a highly complex system of billions of neurons passing through and around the soft matter that makes up our brain. Despite its highly complex nature, it can be extremely vulnerable to damage. Our skull helps protect our brain from the day to day bumps and bruises that we sustain, but more traumatic accidents – such as a car crash – can seriously impact our brain. When we are involved in a car accident, it sometimes causes a sudden alteration of the normal alert state that our brain exists in. The impact essentially interferes with the way your brain normally functions. Despite common belief, a concussion doe not always involve a loss of consciousness. In fact, most people that suffer a concussion never black out and some don’t even realize that they suffered a concussion. Concussions can range in severity as well. Mild concussions may only result in momentary disorientation while more severe forms can seriously impair reflexes, memory, judgment, speech, balance and coordination. Concussion can be treated with bed rest and occasionally with medication to help with side effects. Most people recuperate within three weeks, however complications are possible.
If you have been involved in a car accident and have any of the symptoms of a concussion or have a severe headache, seek the advice of medical professional immediately. A concussion will require treatment, but you also need to rule out more severe forms of head trauma. While a concussion is not usually a life threatening injury, the symptoms of a concussion can create secondary accidents or injuries. The old adage “better safe than sorry” definitely applies here.
If you were struck by another vehicle and you believe that the accident was not your fault, then consult with a California car accident attorney as soon as possible. If the other driver was negligent (at fault) and their negligence was the cause, or one of the causes of your injuries, then you may have a personal injury claim. When someone else’s negligence causes you to suffer damages, the law says that the other person has to compensate you for those damages. The law firm of Ledger & Associates is experienced in handling California car accident cases and is available for a consultation by calling 1-800-300-001 or by contacting them online at www.ledgerlaw.com. Car accidents can be traumatic events but you don’t have to go it alone.
