Many people suffer from head injuries after a slip and fall or car collision, which can lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Traumatic brain injuries are one of the leading causes of child and adult fatalities, reaching nearly 1.5 million TBIs a year. While it may seem obvious that a heavy blow to the head should require medical evaluation and treatment, even minor blows and injuries should be examined.
Some traumatic brain injuries are easily treatable, however, the more serious the injury than the more likely the victim will have to undergo surgery, rehabilitation and physical therapy. A traumatic head and brain injury can be serious and, as such, you may need to know what can happen if you’ve suffered a blow to your head. Here’s what you should know about two of the most common injuries you may experience:
Whiplash
When a person is in a car accident, whether the accident happened from the side, rear or front of the car or they slipped and fell, it’s likely the victim’s head suddenly and forcibly rocked back and forth. This action can put a lot of strain on the victim’s head, neck and spine. As a result, the victim may suffer from whiplash and develop severe headaches and dizziness.
Concussion
While an airbag can reduce some injuries in a car accident, a slip-and-fall accident doesn’t guarantee much protection for a victim. Whether the accident caused whiplash or not, a blow to the head can also cause a concussion. A concussion happens when the brain violently shakes and can injure the brain. Like whiplash, a concussion can leave a victim disoriented, confused and in pain, but may also cause physiological damage and memory issues.
A blow to the head, whiplash or a concussion can lead to many other injuries such as internal brain bleeding or a fractured skull. As a result of your injuries, you may be facing serious medical debts. Many victims of car or slip-and-fall accidents often need to seek legal help when recovering from their medical debts.