Even though you understand the importance of head safety, there are times when there is nothing you can do to prevent an injury.
For example, you could suffer a concussion in a motor vehicle or construction site accident. With both of these, an accident happens in an instant, often before you have the opportunity to protect yourself.
It’s important to understand the signs and symptoms of a concussion, as you don’t want to let this health concern linger. Instead, it’s important to receive immediate medical attention.
The most common signs and symptoms include:
- Headache
- Feeling of pressure in the head
- Amnesia
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion, often accompanied by an inability to answer basic questions
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Ringing in the ears
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
If you have suffered a blow to the head and are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, there’s a chance you’re dealing with a concussion.
Some of these symptoms are associated with more serious brain injuries, so you shouldn’t assume you “only” have a concussion.
In addition to the symptoms above, there are others that may not set in for several hours or days:
- Trouble with your memory
- Sensitivity to light
- Smell and taste disorders
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability or any other personality change
All of these signs and symptoms of a concussion should point you toward receiving medical help. Even if you feel good enough to leave the scene of the accident, you shouldn’t push your luck, as a medical evaluation is the only way to know what is truly wrong.
If you find that you are dealing with a concussion or other type of brain injury, work closely with your medical team to determine how to best move forward. The treatment you receive will have a lot to do with the impact of the injury on your life, both now and in the future.
Once you have your treatment strategy in place, turn your focus to the cause of the accident and your legal rights. At that point, you’ll have a clear idea of what went wrong, who was at fault, and how you can recover compensation for your injuries and other damages. Your health is top priority, but you can’t lose sight of your legal rights.