What to Know If You Sustain a Head Injury After a Motorcycle Accident
Head injuries are a common occurrence among motorcycle crash victims. Even if a motorcyclist is wearing a helmet, they may still suffer substantial head trauma. It is important to consult with an attorney if you suspect that you have a head injury after a motorcycle accident.
At Richard Schwartz & Associates, P.A., we represent individuals who have been injured in motorcycle accidents throughout Mississippi. Our legal team has extensive experience handling cases with severe, complex injuries. If you suffered a head injury after a motorcycle accident, contact our office to schedule a free consultation.
What to Know About Motorcycle Accidents and Head Injuries
Many head injuries can be avoided by wearing helmets, which not all riders do. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), around 66% of motorcyclists wear helmets while riding.
While helmets do help prevent these injuries, motorcycle accidents can still cause head injuries to victims who were wearing helmets at the time. Head injuries are one of the most severe injuries that the human body can withstand.
Types of Head Injuries
There are many different forms of head injuries that can lead to different outcomes for an individual.
Head injuries after a motorcycle accident may include:
- Traumatic brain injuries: One of the most common head injuries after a motorcycle accident are traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Around 190 people die each day from TBI-related injuries.
- Concussions: A concussion is a well-known head injury that occurs when the impact on the head is enough to cause injury to the brain. This is thought to be caused by the brain hitting the inside of the skull or sudden acceleration or deceleration.
- Hemorrhages: A hemorrhage is uncontrolled bleeding. When this happens around your brain, it can be severe or even fatal. The severity will depend on how much blood is built up in the brain and how much pressure it causes internally.
- Edema: Any sort of head injury can lead to edema or swelling. The skull cannot sketch to accommodate if your brain is swelling, which can lead to pressure on both the skull and the brain.
- Hematoma: Motorcycle accident victims can also suffer from hematoma, or blood clots in the brain, as well as skull fractures.
Following an accident, not all head injuries are immediately apparent. Many may not show up for days or even weeks, which is why you should seek medical treatment immediately to ensure you receive a prompt diagnosis.
What To Look For
Not all head injuries involve external bleeding. Some are internal and won’t affect a person right away.
After a motorcycle accident, victims of minor head injuries may experience:
- Headaches
- Lightheadedness
- Mild confusion
- Nausea
- Temporary ringing in the ears
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Memory loss
- Leaking of fluid from the nose or ears
- Extreme headaches
- Abnormal eye movements
- Loss of muscle control
Because of the severity of them, head injuries should not be taken lightly. If you believe you have any of these signs of head trauma, you should seek medical attention immediately. Either call 9-1-1 or visit a local medical professional for further diagnosis.
How a Mississippi Lawyer Can Help You
After immediately seeking medical treatment for your injuries, you should contact an experienced attorney. Our lawyers can help prove liability in your motorcycle accident and help you seek the compensation you justly deserve. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.
