California Motorcycle Accidents: Recognizing a Traumatic Brain Injury
Although helmets can greatly reduce the chances of serious injury or death from a California motorcycle accident, it is important to understand that even riders who use the best safety equipment can suffer a head injury during a collision or crash. In fact, traumatic brain injuries are one of the most common motorcycle accident injuries because of the high chances of being thrown from the bike.
Traumatic brain injuries can range from mild concussion to fatal strikes to the head. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, it is extremely important to be familiar with the signs of a head injury. The range of symptoms and complications from a brain injury can take hours, days, or even weeks to appear.
In the minutes after a motorcycle accident:
- Loss of consciousness
- Bleeding from the head
- Confusion
- Short-term memory issues
- Coma
- Open head injury
- Slurred speech
- Numbness in limbs
- Seizures
- Pupil dilation
- Vomiting
- Nausea
In the hours after a motorcycle accident:
- Balance issues
- Dizziness
- Disturbed sleep (insomnia or sleeping more than usual)
- Coordination issues
- Continued memory problems
- Continued confusion
- Combativeness and aggression
- Generally unusual behavior
In the days and weeks after a motorcycle accident:
- Memory and concentration problems
- Mental fogginess
- Changes in personality or behavior
- Chronic headaches
- Hearing problems
- Vision problems
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to sound
- Mood issues
- Confusion
- Depression
- Anxiety
The best action you can take after a motorcycle accident is to seek immediate medical treatment. Remember: even if symptoms do not appear for hours, days, or weeks, be sure to go to your doctor or the emergency room as soon as they surface.
Head injuries—even concussions—can have long-term effects on every aspect of your life. If you would like to seek damages from an at-fault party in the wake of a CA motorcycle accident, speak with a lawyer. At Russell & Lazarus, our experienced personal injury attorneys are happy to meet with injury victims and their families for a free, confidential consultation. Call today to schedule: (949) 851-0222.