When most people hear the word concussion, they usually think about getting hit on the head. That makes sense since concussions are often linked to direct blows to your skull. But here’s something you might not know: you don’t actually have to get hit on the head to get a concussion.
Understanding this can help you spot the signs of a concussion earlier, even if your head didn’t take a direct hit. We’ll look at how these kinds of injuries can cause concussions and review common symptoms to watch out for.
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How Can Non-Head Injuries Cause Concussions?
A concussion happens when your brain moves quickly inside your skull, usually because your body suddenly speeds up, slows down, or changes direction. That means even if your head doesn’t get hit directly, a strong force to another part of your body can still make your brain slam against the inside of your skull and cause a concussion.
Think about your brain like a passenger in a moving car. If the car suddenly stops or turns quickly, the passenger might bounce around even if the car doesn’t crash into anything. In the same way, if your body jerks suddenly, like from a whiplash injury or a hard fall, your brain can shake inside your head and get hurt.
Knowing this helps explain why injuries to your neck or chest can cause concussions, even if your head feels fine at first.
Common Scenarios That Cause Concussions
Whiplash Injuries in Car Accidents
Car accidents often cause whiplash, when your neck suddenly snaps backward and then forward really fast. Even if your head doesn’t hit anything, that whipping motion can make your brain slam inside your skull and cause a concussion.
Imagine you’re waiting at a red light and someone hits your car from behind. Your head might not hit the steering wheel or dashboard, but your neck would still snap back and forth quickly enough to hurt your brain.
If you start feeling dizzy or confused, develop headaches, or notice blurry vision after an accident like that, it’s crucial to see a doctor immediately. Many people ignore these signs because they think, “I never hit my head, so I must be fine.” But getting checked out quickly helps you get the proper treatment and feel better sooner.
Falls or Sudden Body Impacts
Slips, trips, and falls can cause concussions even if your head never hits the ground. Imagine you’re walking on a slippery, icy sidewalk during winter. You might catch yourself with your arms or shoulders so your head doesn’t hit the pavement. But even if your head stays safe, the sudden stop and jolt from the fall can still make your brain bounce inside your skull and cause a concussion.
Sports and Recreational Activities
Many sports-related concussions happen even when an athlete’s head never actually gets hit. Sports that involve quick stops, fast starts, or hard collisions can put players at risk. For example, imagine a football player who gets tackled hard in the chest. The force from that hit can shake their brain enough to cause a concussion.
It’s not just football either. In sports like basketball, hockey, or baseball, you can get a concussion without hitting your head. Maybe you land hard after jumping or crash into another player, and even if your head doesn’t touch anything, the sudden stop can still cause concussion symptoms.
And it doesn’t just have to be contact games. Sports like track and gymnastics can also cause non-head injuries that lead to concussions.
Knowing that concussions can happen this way helps coaches and players make sure they follow the right steps to stay safe, even if there’s no obvious hit to the head.
Symptoms to Watch Out For
It’s crucial to catch concussions early. If you think your head was jolted in any way—even without direct impact—it’s better to be safe than sorry and seek medical help. This is especially important if you are experiencing the following symptoms, which may indicate a concussion:
- Persistent headaches
- Pressure in the head
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Confusion or memory issues
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Nausea or vomiting
If you’ve experienced a body injury or whiplash event and notice these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Healthcare professionals can conduct appropriate evaluations, including neurological tests and imaging, to confirm or rule out concussions.
Why Early Recognition Matters
Catching a concussion early can affect how well and how fast you recover. If you don’t get treatment, a concussion can lead to problems like lingering headaches, trouble thinking or concentrating, and mental health effects. Getting plenty of rest, seeing a doctor, and following the proper treatment early on can help you heal fully and faster.
Think back to the example of a car accident. After whiplash, you might feel okay at first, but if you wait too long to get checked out, minor concussion symptoms could get worse and make recovery more challenging. Going to the doctor right away makes sure you get the care you need to protect your health for the future.
How to Prevent Concussions from Non-Head Injuries
While you can’t completely eliminate the chance of a concussion, there are smart choices you can make to lower your risk.
- Always wear your seatbelt when you’re in a car. It helps keep your body steady and can reduce whiplash if there’s an accident.
- When you play sports or engage in other physical activities, make sure you use the right gear and learn the proper way to move so you don’t get hurt.
- When walking around, especially on slippery or uneven ground, pay attention to where you’re going so you don’t slip or fall.
When to Seek Legal Guidance
If your concussion resulted from someone else’s negligence, such as a careless driver causing a whiplash injury or unsafe property conditions leading to a fall, consider searching for an “accident attorney near me.” The negligent party’s insurance company may try to downplay your injuries, claim you don’t have a concussion because you weren’t hit in the head, or give you a lowball offer that doesn’t cover your past and future damages.
Attorneys experienced in handling concussions and brain injuries understand precisely how to document medical evidence, calculate fair compensation, and represent your rights.
Conclusion
Don’t shrug off a potential concussion just because it wasn’t preceded by a blow to the head. Know the symptoms to watch out for and get medical help as soon as possible. Remember that if someone else was at fault for your concussion, they should help pay for your financial losses. Contact our Las Vegas brain injury lawyers to better understand your rights and how to hold the negligent party responsible.