There were 133 serious injuries among pedestrians involved in traffic accidents in King County – home to the Seattle metropolitan area – in 2012, reports the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Injuries that a pedestrian may incur from an accident can vary and include anything from minor cuts to broken bones and more. One serious health consequence that a pedestrian involved in an accident may experience is a concussion, which is a mild traumatic brain injury.
A concussion often requires immediate medical attention and can have devastating health effects if left untreated. It’s important that victims and others be able to recognize the signs of a concussion after an accident.
Cognitive Signs of a Concussion
Some of the biggest indicators of a concussion present themselves in the form of cognitive changes. Cognitive changes may include difficulty remembering or recalling information, confusion, trouble thinking clearly, difficulty concentrating, trouble learning or paying attention to new information, and generally feeling cognitively impaired or slowed down.
Cognitive signs can be among the earliest signs of a concussion. If a person can’t remember his or her name, can’t recall details leading up to or directly following the accident, or is having a hard time thinking clearly, he or she may have a concussion.
Physical Signs of a Concussion
Like cognitive symptoms, physical signs of a concussion are usually one of the earliest ways to detect the presence of a concussion. As noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some physical concussion signs are listed below.
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Balance problems
- Feeling tired
- Lack of energy
- Sensitivity to light or noise
Ringing in the ears and slurred speech are two other common physical signs of a concussion.
Emotional Signs of a Concussion
Most people are unaware that a concussion can have an emotional effect on the victim as well as a physical and cognitive effect. Some emotional concussion signs include irritability, sadness, mood swings, anxiety and depression. In children, a concussion might be characterized by frequent and excessive crying, lack of interest in favorite activities or toys, and general crankiness. If a person who has been involved in a pedestrian accident exhibits unusual or out-of-character emotional behavior, he or she may have a concussion.
Other Signs of a Concussion to Look For
If a person is having seizures, experiences a loss of consciousness, can’t see properly or has unevenly sized pupils, or any other obvious difficulties with cognitive or physical function, it’s important to seek medical care immediately. An untreated concussion can lead to long-term physical, cognitive and emotional challenges.
In addition to watching for cognitive, physical and emotional signs, another indicator of a concussion can be changes in sleep patterns. Sleeping more than usual, less than usual or having trouble falling asleep are all signs of a concussion.
Seek Legal Help if You’ve Been in a Pedestrian Accident
If you’ve been involved in an accident in which you were hit by a motor vehicle and suffered a concussion or other injuries, seek legal help to review legal options to recover compensation. At Max Meyers Law PLLC, our attorneys understand how traumatic an accident can be and know how important it is that you receive damages to help pay for your injuries. To speak with an attorney after a Seattle accident, call us today at 425-399-7000 or get in touch with us via our contact page.
