Quick answer, which may surprise you, is NO! You absolutely do not have to hit your head to sustain a brain injury, or concussion. In fact, an alarming number of concussions or what they call mild traumatic brain injuries are sustained by those who never hit their head on anything at all. Rather, it is the violent, rapid back and forth movement of your head which can cause a brain injury when your brain—which is like a soft gelatin material—makes impact with the bony and rugged areas of your skull causing shearing or tearing to parts of the brain neurons. These “tears” disrupt neuron cell communication to one another. In turn, it takes longer for your brain to process information and can also affect your memory, attention, mood, and even your vision among other things. So, the takeaway is if you or a loved one has suffered a whiplash like injury and later notice problems with your mood, attention, memory, vision, hearing, or other issue like feeling foggy, anxious, or depressed—much more than usual—you may have suffered a brain injury—even if you didn’t hit your head. If you believe you have suffered a brain injury through a whiplash type of accident it is important you talk to your Doctor right away and/or ask for a referral to a neurologist for further evaluation. It is also a good idea to bring pictures of the damage to your vehicle (if the injury occurred in a car accident) so the Dr. can appreciate the violent whiplash forces which occurred when evaluating you for a possible post-concussion brain issue. If you’ve sustained a brain injury or concussion in an accident in California, you need to speak with an accomplished brain injury lawyer like those at the Law Offices of JG Winter. We handle brain injury claims to benefit our clients in Sacramento and across California by demanding full compensation for their injuries. Please contact our office today to learn how we can help.
Brain Trauma Can Happen Without Hitting Your Head
One common myth regarding brain trauma is that you must hit your head to sustain a brain injury or concussion. That, however, is not true. The consistency of the human brain is like gelatin. In the event of a car crash, the brain can move within an unyielding skull lined with various bony protuberances. The brain can ricochet off the skull and smash into the opposite end of the skull, leading to a potential coup or contrecoup brain injury. A person who suffers whiplash during a car accident may also sustain a brain injury. When the head is thrust forward, and the movement abruptly ends, the sudden acceleration and deceleration effects sustained to the skull may cause the brain to collide with the skull’s opposite side. Whiplash has been demonstrated to provoke a disturbance in the brain’s nerve cells responsible for sending messages throughout the body.
What Are the Symptoms of Brain Injuries & Concussions?
Mild brain injuries often occur during a motor vehicle accident. While they may not prove fatal, they can severely impact a person’s physical, emotional, and psychological capacities. It’s essential to take these injuries seriously because, if left ignored, the damage and symptoms could worsen over time. Concussions are the most common type of brain trauma and are frequently referred to as mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI). Concussions can result from violent shaking of the head, impacts to the head, or whiplash-type motions. A concussion can worsen to post-concussion syndrome, a severe disorder that can last longer than a year.
Symptoms of Brain Injuries
Physical indications of a brain injury include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Loss of vision
Emotional indications of a brain injury:
- Personality changes
- Changes in appetite
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Depression
Psychological symptoms of a traumatic brain injury:
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- Disorientation
- Poor concentration
- Short term memory loss
- Amnesia
Symptoms of Concussions
A concussion should never be disregarded and requires urgent medical attention. Symptoms of concussions may include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Inability to focus
- Memory loss
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Brain Injury Lawsuit?
If you’ve sustained a brain injury or a concussion from another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. How do you put a price on learning difficulties or an inability to focus as a direct result of a brain injury or concussion? Partnering with an attorney to advocate for your best interests can help you secure full and just compensation for your losses. An experienced brain injury attorney will estimate a wide range of damages in a brain injury lawsuit, such as:
- Lost wages
- Diminished future earning capacity
- Past and future medical care
- Occupational therapy and rehabilitation services
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages for grossly negligent conduct
Brain injury claims are extraordinarily complex. A calculator found online won’t evaluate the full value of a claim. Instead, get in touch with a seasoned brain injury lawyer to estimate the total value of your brain injury claim.
Consult a Skilled California Brain Injury Attorney Over a Free Consultation
At the Law Offices of JG Winter, our brain injury attorneys are experienced in all types of accident claims, including those involving head and brain injuries without impacting your head. With years of demonstrated legal experience, we hold negligent parties accountable so that you can concentrate on healing and moving forward in your life. To schedule a free consultation to learn about your legal options and how we can help, complete a contact form or call 844-734-2626.
