Can I Get a Concussion Without Hitting My Head?

Bill Allen | October 30, 2023 | Personal Injury

Can I Get a Concussion Without Hitting My Head?

The WHO estimates that concussions occur each year at a rate of roughly 600 per 100,000. While many people get concussions as a result of hitting their heads in a sports-related injury, the causes for this mild form of traumatic brain injury are vast.

While some believe it is impossible to have a concussion if they didn’t sustain a hit to their head, this couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s important for you to be informed about how a concussion can happen without hitting your head in case you’re ever injured and wondering what to do next.

Can You Get a Concussion Without Hitting Your Head?

Concussions generally occur in one of two ways: either a blow to the head or violent shaking that causes your brain to jostle around the inside of your head. Here are several (though not all) of the ways this can occur.

Whiplash and Vehicle Accidents

Can you get a concussion from whiplash? Yes, concussions occur quite often during motor vehicle accidents. When your head whips back and forth forcefully and suddenly during an accident, it can cause your brain to bounce inside your head. Additionally, airbag deployment can also result in concussion. The 100+ MPH force of the airbag deploying can jostle you too quickly.

Slip and Fall Incidents

You don’t have to hit your head during a slip and fall accident to sustain a concussion. Your fall will cause your momentum to shift suddenly and unexpectedly. As with car accidents, this violent jostling can slam your brain against your skull and result in a brain injury. Blows to other parts of your body can also create a force that damages the brain.

Explosions And Blasts

Workers in some occupations, like construction, are more likely to experience an explosion or a blast at work. The waves generated from the blast overpressure can cause internal damage to various areas of the body, including an employee’s brain. 

Assault Incidents

Most people don’t leave their homes expecting to be assaulted by another party. The perpetrator does not have to hit you in the head for you to sustain a concussion due to the incident. It can occur if you are shaken too hard or quickly and forcefully slammed to the ground or against an object.

Can You Have a Concussion Without Knowing?

Some recently injured people may dismiss the idea that they may have a concussion simply because they don’t have symptoms and didn’t get hit in the head. However, this can be a serious mistake. 

In some cases, concussion symptoms don’t show up until days later or can be so subtle that you’re not even sure they’re related. A few symptoms you may experience with a concussion include:

  • Headaches
  • Skull pressure
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Imbalance
  • Confusion or memory loss
  • Double or blurry vision
  • Tinnitus
  • Light sensitivity
  • Losing sense of taste or smell

You may assume that these symptoms can be attributed to another condition or are the result of stress after an incident. It’s important to watch for them and take action should any concerning symptoms occur. 

Moving Forward After a Concussion

Concussions, even mild ones, are very serious injuries. If you think you may have one, it’s important to know how to get a concussion evaluation. Seek medical care right away. If you believe your concussion was due to someone else’s negligence, have a personal injury attorney look at your case and advise you on the next steps. 

Depending on the root cause of your concussion, any number of people may be responsible for your injury, including the other driver, your employer, a business owner, a product manufacturer, or even the perpetrator of an assault. 

With an attorney’s help, it’s possible to hold the responsible party accountable and recover damages that will allow you to pay for your medical care so you can heal without worry.

Contact Our Ocala Personal Injury Law Firm in North Central Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Ocala personal injury lawyers at Allen Law Firm, P.A. at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have three convenient locations in North Central Florida:

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Downtown Gainesville
621 W University Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601
(866) 928-6292

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Gainesville office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652