Experiencing a headache after a bicycle accident is not uncommon. In fact, a headache is a sign of one of the most frequent bike accident injuries: a concussion. Having a headache does not necessarily mean you have experienced a concussion, but it does mean you should seek immediate medical attention.
A headache after a bike accident can be a sign of traumatic brain injury. A mild traumatic brain injury is commonly referred to as a concussion. Concussion symptoms include a headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea and/or vomiting, blurry or impaired vision, feeling “off” or otherwise unusual, and sleepiness. If you have signs of a concussion, seeing a doctor immediately is imperative.
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Post traumatic headache is a clear sign you need to take your injury seriously. Some people feel that if they were wearing a helmet, they cannot have suffered a head injury. This is simply untrue. Although bicycle helmets do help absorb some of the force of impact, you can still suffer a severe head injury even if you were wearing one. Some injuries occur because the helmet is not properly fitted, but even if it is fitted correctly, you can still suffer from a concussion.
The brain sits within the skull, surrounded by fluid. When forceful impact occurs or when the head is rapidly jarred, the brain can move within the fluid and strike the skull. This can cause areas of swelling on the brain. It can also cause brain bleeds or bruising. Swelling and bruising can temporarily impair brain function. In some cases, it can destroy parts of the brain.
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Head injuries should always be taken seriously. It is often hard to distinguish mild traumatic brain injury from a more serious head injury based on symptoms alone. In addition, if there is bleeding on the brain, the severity of the injury can increase over time. Any post traumatic headache should be rapidly assessed.
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In cases of a concussion, you may be ordered to rest in a quiet room for several days or even a week or more. The lack of stimulus helps the brain recover fully from the injury. Some people with head injuries will require hospitalization. Brain trauma by its nature is a severe injury, and affected cyclists can lose consciousness, experience repeated vomiting, or suffer from cognitive symptoms. Sometimes neurological surgeons need to be brought in to consider surgery to allow swelling to occur without causing further damage.
When a bicycle accident occurs, the cyclist commonly strikes the ground, either falling to the side or careening forward over the bike. The pavement has no give, and a solid thud can often be heard. Post traumatic headaches are one of the first symptoms experienced if you suffer from a traumatic brain injury. If you have a headache after a bike crash, it is best to get assessed and treated immediately by emergency personnel. In many cases, you will be transported to the emergency room for more specialized treatment.
The emergency room physician may order an imaging scan to determine if there is bleeding or swelling. This can help determine whether you are suffering from a mild traumatic brain injury or a more serious head injury. More serious head injuries can involve a period of unconsciousness, severe head pain, vomiting, impaired reflexes and senses, and significant confusion. They are similar to concussion symptoms, but are generally more severe. Severe head injury can mean a lengthy hospitalization followed by months, years, or even a lifetime of impairment.
The financial impact of a head injury, whether it be a concussion or a more serious head injury, can be significant. Most cyclists will be unable to return to work for days, weeks, or months following their injury. In addition, the medical bills associated with head injuries can be significant. Pain and suffering is also quite high for these injuries, especially as they can impair your ability to function normally.
A Headache After a Bicycle Accident May Be More Serious Than You Think!
Recently, researchers have discovered that concussions and head injuries in general are associated with neurological disorders later in life. Specifically, they have linked head injuries to Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. In the short term, the implications may be even more serious – concussions have been linked to an increased rate of suicide.
As you can tell, concussions should be taken seriously. If you have suffered a concussion in a bicycle accident, you deserve to be represented by an experienced bicycle accident attorney. At the Law Firm of Kass & Moses, we have represented injured cyclists for over three decades. We are avid cyclists, too, so we understand the lifestyle and how disastrous it can be to suffer in a bike crash.
During your initial phone call to our law firm, you will receive an entirely free case evaluation. Should you decide to proceed and have us represent you, you will not pay a dime until your case is settled. We will fight for your rights, from beginning to end. Suffering a headache after a bicycle accident is serious – do not forego quality medical attention and legal representation!
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