Going into Overtime: The Lasting Effects of Concussions on Brain Function
Someone in the United States sustains a serious brain injury about every 21 seconds, according to The Nemours Foundation, creator of Kids Health. Brain injuries, especially concussions, don't always present with acute symptoms, and their effects can affect functionality years after the damage actually occurs. Accident victims who refuse treatment at the scene may be doing themselves much more harm than good.
Accident lawyers in Cumberland County and New Jersey as a whole recognize the need for medical treatment immediately following collisions to identify injuries and begin the healing process as quickly as possible. Insurance companies, eager to lower accident settlements, may say something different.
Concussion Research Shows Long-Lasting Effects
In a 2009 study conducted by the
University of Illinois, researchers discovered concussion sufferers experienced diminished brain functioning, including decreased abilities to process sensory information, as far out as three-years past the date of injury. Concussion sufferers also showed a decreased ability to process unexpected stimulus entering their environment. Basically, if they didn't know it was coming ahead of time, their brains were slow to react to the new information.
Now imagine these victims as drivers and trying to react to changing road conditions – stopping traffic, sudden weather changes, or sharp turns. These drivers may be at higher risks for accidents unless they receive proper treatment and have the supervised medical care necessary to allow their brains to heal completely.
Insurance Company Dirty Tricks
Insurance companies may try to convince accident victims that their crash-related headaches are temporary or that their symptoms aren't related to the collisions. Falling for this popular tactic and agreeing to lowball settlement offers can rob victims of their rights to deserved compensation for the long-lasting effects these brain injuries can have on the body and abilities to process information. Concussions don't present like broken bones or lacerations, but that doesn't mean victims suffering from them are any less injured or coping with significant symptoms.
Concussion Symptoms Include:
- Headache or feeling pressure in the head
- Confusion or amnesia surrounding the accident
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Fatigue
Seemingly minor symptoms can be outliers of serious brain injuries. Seeking medical attention immediately following a head injury not only improves the chances of a successful personal injury claim, it can save your life.
Personal injury attorneys in Hamilton Township and New Jersey as a whole want you, as an accident victim, to focus on your health above all other concerns.
Matthew Dolman
Personal Injury Lawyer
This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has represented over 11,000 injury victims and has served as lead counsel in over 1000 lawsuits. Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.
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