We have learned a lot about concussions and brain injuries as a society, especially in recent years. If someone loses consciousness after a head injury, it is likely that they have a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and they need to seek medical assistance.
Historically, people haven’t always taken these injuries so seriously, especially when losing consciousness for only a short time. You often see this in sports. The entire point of boxing, for instance, is to attempt to knock the other person out.
However, medical experts note that the amount of time does not matter. You don’t have to be unconscious for 10 minutes for it to be important. Just a few seconds is enough.
This extends far beyond sports. For most people, TBI risks increase in things like car accidents, bike accidents, pedestrian accidents and other traffic-related issues. This is when the odds of trauma at high speeds are highest.
If you get into an accident and strike your head against the interior of the car, you can get knocked out even with a seat belt, an airbag and other such safety systems. Don’t assume you’re fine if you wake up a few seconds later. The fact that the impact was hard enough to knock you out at all means your brain could have suffered serious internal harm. You need to see a doctor as soon as you can.
The long-lasting effects of a TBI differ from case to case. If you get injured in an accident caused by another driver, just make sure you are well aware of the legal options you have to seek compensation for your medical treatment.
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