For motorcycle riders, head injuries can be a common and serious problem.
With no mandatory helmet laws in Florida, motorcycle riders may choose for themselves if they want to wear a helmet or not. However, riders without helmets who get in an accident are twice as likely to have severe head injuries, which can prove to be fatal.
Ormond Beach motorcycle accident victims can sustain various head injuries, including:
- Concussion. A rider will often lose consciousness for a few minutes after suffering a concussion. He may be disoriented, confused, or be off balance for a bit after the injury.
- Bleeding in the brain. Sometimes an accident can cause a hematoma, or bleeding in the brain, which can form a clot. This could result in a bump on the head that might not be visible for weeks after the accident.
- Swollen brain tissue. Small bleeds beneath the skull result in swollen brain tissue or a contusion, basically causing the brain to bruise.
- Skull Fracture. Some accidents can result in a cracked skull, causing more bleeds as bone pieces burrow into surrounding tissues.
Many brain injury symptoms often mirror symptoms of shock after an accident —irritability, forgetfulness, and trouble sleeping may be a sign of stress. You should receive follow-up care after an accident, and carefully monitor your behavior for signs of brain damage.
Here are some of the signs of brain injury to monitor following a motorcycle accident:
- Trouble sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Amnesia
- Dizziness
- Sensitivity to light
- Memory loss
- Disorientation
- Seizures
- Chronic headaches
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Ringing in the ears
- Depression
Brain injuries often can be difficult to diagnose. Symptoms may not appear right after the accident, so it is important to have routine check-ups with your doctor in the weeks following your injury. Common methods used to diagnose head injuries include MRI, EEG, and CT scan. If your doctor did not order sufficient follow-up tests, you could be due compensation for your injuries.
Get advice from a trusted Ormond Beach accident attorney by contacting Zimmet & Zimmet.
