If a motorcyclist is in an accident and is given a diagnosis of a concussion, he has, in fact, experienced a type of traumatic brain injury. The question is whether or not the brain injury should be of concern. Even if a biker is diagnosed with a “mild” concussion, and it’s not life threatening, there could still be some very serious effects.
What causes a concussion and how should it be treated?
Any blow, bump, hit or jolt to the head or body causes the brain to bounce and move quickly back and forth in the skull cavity. This sudden movement can cause the brain to swish around or twist in the skull which can then cause chemical changes in the brain. These chemical changes make the brain more sensitive to any increased stress or injury until it recovers.
A concussion is a change in how the brain functions; it’s not a structural injury but a functional injury. So when the head is struck, it changes how the brain works. You don’t need to lose consciousness to be diagnosed with a concussion. Any contact to the head can cause a concussion.
Generally, after a motorcycle accident with a head injury, signs of a concussion show up pretty quickly. However, it’s also true that some symptoms may take hours or days to appear. A rider with a concussion might seem dazed and confused at first, but an hour or two later may not even remember the accident or how he got injured. That’s why it is so important to seek immediate medical attention.
In order to receive a proper diagnosis of the severity of a concussion, the medical provider will ask whether the fallen biker lost consciousness, and if so, for how long, how hard he hit his head, any memory loss, any seizures immediately following the injury, and whether the rider has experienced previous concussions.
The medical provider will decide whether to do a CT scan of the brain to determine the level of injury, and/or may conduct neurological tests to identify the effects and severity of the concussion.
The outcome of a concussion
If the concussion is very severe, the patient might experience long-term memory loss, difficulty learning, coordination and balance problems, impairment of speech, hearing or vision, and disruptive and upsetting emotions.
If the concussion is mild, the patient should feel better in a couple of weeks after resting. However, there is something known as post-concussive syndrome which is when the symptoms last weeks to months after the motorcycle accident. This usually occurs only in people who have experienced prior concussions. They too usually go away in time.
Only a motorcycle helmet can protect you from a severe concussion. While there is no one helmet that is concussion proof, it should be age appropriate, be worn consistently and correctly, and be certified for use.
Any motorcyclist involved in an accident, will likely have medical bills to pay and possibly lose time at work. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else, give us a call so we can set up a time to discuss your case in depth and answer any questions you may have.
If you have any questions about this article or any other questions related to personal injury law, please call us toll free at 1-800-LAW-1333. Our personal injury consultations are always free.
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