Recovering After A Motorcycle Accident ? Watch for These Hidden Injuries
During a motorcycle accident, you may sustain injuries that are easily observed such as “road rash”. However, many riders suffer injuries which are not easily identified without an extensive medical examination, such as spinal injuries or traumatic brain injuries. It could be that you are unknowingly suffering from either or both of these two “hidden” injuries.
Spinal Injuries
Automobile and motorcycle accidents account for 35 percent of new spinal cord injuries each year. These accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries. It is important to identify spinal injuries as soon as possible so that more serious injuries do not occur. Care providers can miss a significant number of spinal injuries, so vigilance is important. Report any of the following symptoms to your doctor right away:
- Back pain or pressure
- Pressure in your neck
- Pressure in your head
- Pressure in your back
- Weakness in any part of your body
- Loss of use of any part of your body
- Paralysis anywhere in your body
- Numbness in your extremities
- Tingling in your hands, fingers, feet or toes
- Bladder or Bowel incontinence
- Trouble with balance and walking
- Difficulty breathing
- A twisted neck or back
Brain Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injury is the leading cause of death and disability for people aged 1 to 44. It is, therefore, important that you receive the appropriate diagnosis and treatment for your mild or severe brain injury. Unfortunately, mild Traumatic Brain Injury can often go undiagnosed and untreated. It is, therefore, important that you report any of the following symptoms to your health care provider:
- Loss of consciousness, even if only for a few seconds
- A feeling of being dazed, confused or disoriented
- Headaches, nausea or vomiting
- Trouble sleeping
- Excessive sleeping, fatigue or drowsiness
- Loss of balance or dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- A strange taste in the mouth
- Changes in the ability to smell
- Light sensitivity
- Sound sensitivity
- Trouble concentrating or remembering things
- Mood swings or other changes in mood
- Anxiety
- Depression
Get Help
Injuries to your spine or brain can have lifelong implications. It is important that you receive proper diagnosis and treatment of these injuries. Contact your health care provider right away if you experience symptoms of spine or brain injury.
Recovery from these types of injuries is often a long, expensive, arduous journey. Often, the party responsible for the accident is responsible for the bills associated with recovery. Contact us for the legal help you need as you recover from your motorcycle accident.