Concussions are common head injuries that tend to be relatively minor in nature. However, just because concussions can be minor doesn’t mean they are always minor.
A concussion occurs when the impact to your head is so significant that it causes brain injury. A concussion is a result of your brain slamming against the walls of your bony skull due to the forces of rapid acceleration and/or deceleration.
Here are three reasons why concussions are more dangerous than you might expect:
#1 - Concussions Can Cause Permanent Damage
If you sustain just one concussion throughout your life, the chances of it causing permanent damage to your brain are slim to none.
However, even though the side effects of a concussion are usually temporary, recurrent concussions may eventually cause permanent brain damage.
#2 - It Can Take a While To Fully Recover
While the symptoms of a concussion are temporary, they may last for 6 months to a year or more.
Take Molly’s story for example:
Molly was 17 years old when she sustained a concussion. Immediately after the injury, she couldn’t focus on what was going on in front of her and was unable to perform her typical daily duties. She felt critically tired and unwell. In addition, she was extremely sensitive to sound and light. Molly’s symptoms persisted for an entire year after she sustained her concussion.
#3 - You May Not Recognize the Signs and Symptoms
If you are not well-versed in the signs and symptoms of a concussion, you may not realize that you have sustained one. If you’ve been in an accident, and you feel off, it could be because you’ve sustained a concussion.
Here are the signs that you may have sustained a concussion:
- Can’t recall events before or after the injury occurred
- Dazed or stunned appearance
- Clumsy movements
- Answer questions slowly
- Lose consciousness (even just momentarily)
- Show changes in mood, behavior, or personality
Here are the symptoms of a concussion:
- Headache or pressure in the head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Issues with balance
- Dizziness, blurred, or double vision
- Light sensitivity
- Sound sensitivity
- Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
- Confusion
- Concentration or memory issues
- Feeling “off” or “down”
If you have sustained a concussion in an accident through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to compensation. Let our team see if we can help you recover it.
Contact our skilled attorneys at Berthold Law Firm, PLLC by calling (304) 605-2040 or by filling out our online contact form.