Every year, more than 200,000 Americans are hospitalized for traumatic brain injuries, and another 64,000 die. Up to 3 million sports-related concussions happen every year. More frighteningly, as many as 50 percent of concussions go undetected.
Concussions happen when your brain collides with the inside of your skull and are a common injury after a car accident or a slip and fall accident.
Symptoms of a Concussion
There are several symptoms that can indicate you may have a concussion. These tend to fall into two basic categories: physical signs and cognitive signs.
Physical signs of a concussion include
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in your ears
- Drowsiness
Cognitive signs may include
- Feeling like you’re in a fog
- Amnesia surrounding your accident
- Dizziness
- Seeing stars
- Loss of consciousness
- Delayed response to questions
- Forgetfulness, such as asking the same questions over and over
Some of these symptoms might appear right away, but others can take days or even weeks to appear. You might have trouble concentrating or remembering things, and you might be more irritable than usual. You may find yourself sensitive to light and noise, and you could have trouble sleeping or disorders of taste and smell.
If you notice any of these symptoms after an accident, talk to your doctor right away.
Common Causes of Concussion
Although we commonly associate concussions with hitting your head, did you know that you can get a concussion even if your head doesn’t make contact with anything? A concussion happens when your brain makes contact with the inside of your skull, and any significant jolt can cause that to happen. In fact, there are several common causes of concussions that you might not expect.
Car crashes often cause concussions, since the force of the impact can send your brain slamming into the inside of your skull, even if you don’t hit your head.
Falls can also cause concussions, as can sports accidents. Even being shaken hard enough can cause a concussion, especially in small children.
Concussion Complications
Although the concussion itself can be bad enough these injuries often cause a host of complications.
Headaches are extremely common after concussions and may last days or weeks after the event. Many concussion patients experience vertigo and confusion that can last months after the initial injury.
Perhaps the most dangerous complication from concussions is chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This condition can happen when you get multiple concussions and is incredibly common among professional athletes. Although doctors are still studying this condition, the current studies show that it can cause serious brain damage.
Concussion Treatment
The most important thing you can do after a concussion is to rest. For the first few days, you need to let your brain rest and recover while it heals. This means avoiding any mental strain, including reading, watching TV, playing video games, or doing school work. It’s also a good idea to avoid physical activity that makes your symptoms worse.
You’ll likely have a headache for the first few days or weeks after your accident, so use over-the-counter pain control to manage your symptoms.
Always follow your doctor’s orders about returning to normal activity and managing your pain levels.
Statute of Limitations for Concussion Claims
In most states, you have a limited amount of time after an accident to file a personal injury claim. A court won’t hear a claim for an injury that happened twenty years ago. This time limit is called the statute of limitations, and the clock begins at the time of your accident.
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years. In some cases, such as medical malpractice, you may be able to file your claim two years after the date you discovered the injury, rather than the date of the accident.
While two years may seem like a long time, it can fly by when you’re trying to heal from injuries and get your life back on course. It’s best to talk to a personal injury lawyer as soon as you can after your injury to begin work on your case.
Concussion Injury Compensation
If you got a concussion in a San Antonio accident, you could be entitled to compensation. Your settlement can cover a wide variety of damages, from medical bills and lost wages to pain and suffering and more.
A concussion injury compensation package can cover
- Loss of future earning potential
- Ongoing costs of medical care
- Mental anguish
- Emotional trauma
- Property damage if your car was damaged in the accident
- Loss of companionship if a loved one died in the accident
A good personal injury lawyer will help you calculate all the damages you’re owed and will fight to get you every penny of it. Schedule a free consultation with us today and start getting the representation you deserve in your case.
Talk to a San Antonio Injury Lawyer for Help with Your Injury Claim
If you think you may be entitled to compensation for your concussion injury, it’s important to talk to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Our lawyers will investigate your case, gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and fight to get you the full settlement you’re owed. Schedule a free consultation with the San Antonio personal injury lawyers at George Salinas Injury Lawyers by calling (210) 225-0909 to discuss your case.
