Signs of Head Trauma After a Motorcycle Accident
When a motorcyclist gets into an accident with any vehicle, that rider is going to hit the road.
It’s unavoidable, given that a motorcycle does not have the same level of support as a car. It is also why Mississippi enacted a helmet law that requires every motorcycle rider and passenger to wear a helmet approved by the Mississippi Department of Transportation (DOT).
Unfortunately, even when wearing a helmet, a motorcyclist can still suffer a form of head trauma in a collision with a car or commercial vehicle.
If you or someone in your family has been in a motorcycle accident, it’s essential that you understand what all your options are for seeking compensation for any losses. That compensation includes current and future medical expenses. Depending on the type of head trauma, there could be months and maybe years of ongoing physical therapy and treatment.
The Jackson motorcycle accident lawyers working at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, are standing by to provide the guidance and information you need to determine what the next step should be to pursue a remedy. When calculating medical expenses, it is important to provide all the pertinent medical records associated with your head trauma. Those begin with the diagnosis and report of the initial exam.
The following post provides the signs of a head trauma after a motorcycle accident that you need to be aware of.
What Are the Different Types of Head Trauma After a Motorcycle Accident?
When a doctor evaluates you after a motorcycle accident, they will classify the severity of your traumatic brain injury (TBI) as mild, moderate, or severe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a TBI as “an injury that affects how the brain works.” It is also a major cause of death and disability in the country.
The following are the most common types of head trauma sustained in motorcycle accidents:
Concussions
A concussion is often recognized as a mild type of head trauma, but it can still have disruptive symptoms such as experiencing confusion, dizziness, and memory issues.
Brain Contusions
You can get a bruise when you bump into something. The force of that impact causes blood vessels to rupture, causing a contusion. A direct impact on your brain can also trigger a contusion.
Coup-contrecoup Injuries
A coup-contrecoup injury is when your brain strikes both sides of your skull. Imagine if your head hits the road while wearing a helmet, and the front of your brain is injured. Then, the force pushes back, causing your brain to hit the back of your skull.
Diffuse Axonal Injuries
This type of head trauma results in widespread damage that affects the network of connecting fibers, which often leads to a loss of consciousness.
Skull Fractures
A helmet is designed to diffuse a significant portion of the force of impact from an accident, but it is not 100% safe in preventing a skull fracture. These fractures can range from linear to more complex fractures that displace the bone or damage the underlying brain tissue.
Scalp Injuries
Scalp injuries, such as cuts, scrapes, and lacerations to the skull, are also common types of head trauma. What makes these injuries upsetting is that they tend to bleed heavily because of the blood supply surrounding the head. However, they are easily treated with proper wound care.
What Are the Symptoms of a Head Trauma?
Any blow to the head after an accident should be cause for concern. One of the most immediate symptoms of head trauma is when you lose consciousness. Other symptoms may also appear immediately or develop over several hours or days.
These are the symptoms of a head trauma to look out for:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred vision or sensitivity to light
- Seizures
- Difficulty with speech, memory, or concentration
- Mood swings or personality changes
- Balance issues or trouble with walking
- Clear fluid draining from the nose or ears
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is essential to seek immediate medical care.
Early intervention is crucial for providing treatment and mitigating the injury.
Pursuing a Claim After a Motorcycle Accident
If you’ve suffered a brain injury due to another driver’s negligence, you should not be expected to pay for any of your expenses. At Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, we can help you pursue a claim against the at-fault party and their insurance carrier. You may be dealing with numerous issues as you recover.
The last thing you want is to be overwhelmed with forms and negotiating with an insurance company.
We can take care of that.
Call to set up a consultation to discuss what happened with your motorcycle accident.
