A car accident can traumatize the human body in many ways. When a person is involved in an auto accident, it is quite common for them to sustain minor and major injuries such as broken bones and lacerations that require stitches. However, in many cases, victims of serious car accidents suffer more catastrophic injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI). If you experienced a TBI after a car accident, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at SLM Law Today at (310) 443-4119 to ensure your legal rights remain protected.
Brain Injuries After A Car Accident: How They Happen
When a driver or passenger is struck by another vehicle or object, their brain can collide with the inside of their skull during sudden stops and turns. This leads to bruising and swelling which can cause damage to the brain. The effects of this kind of injury can last a long time, even after the person is healed from all other injuries.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury
Both children and adults can suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBI) during an auto accident, however, adults are more likely to suffer more severe consequences than children. Symptoms of TBI include headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, fatigue, and blurred vision. In some cases, the patient may become comatose or slip into a state of unconsciousness. If someone has been in a car accident it is important for those close to them to keep an eye out for signs that they have been affected by a TBI which could result in serious complications if not treated by a medical professional as soon as possible.
Wrongful Death Claims Due To Traumatic Brain Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control And Prevention (CDC), traumatic brain injuries are sustained by about 1.4 million people each year in the United States. Although TBIs only account for 10 percent of all injury-related deaths every year around the country, around 50 percent of those who die immediately following an accident will have suffered a TBI prior to their death.
When someone is killed as the result of an accident caused by another person’s negligence, it can make sense to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of loved ones who are left behind. This could allow survivors to seek compensation for funeral costs along with other damages.
What To Do If You Suspect You May Have a TBI After A Car Accident
If you believe you may have a TBI after a car accident, consider taking the following steps:
- Seek medical attention immediately. Do not refuse treatment because you are afraid of getting in trouble for having been drinking or taking drugs before the accident. You may still be able to pursue a legal claim by showing that your injuries would have led to death even if the accident had never occurred.
- Tell your doctor about all medications you are currently taking, including over-the-counter products, vitamins, and supplements. Some medications can exacerbate TBI symptoms or raise blood pressure levels, which can increase the risk of brain damage further. Some types of herbal remedies may also interact with standard treatments given after an auto crash.
- Keep a record of any ongoing headaches or problems with balance, memory, and other TBI symptoms at least until the case is resolved. This can be important for future medical care as well.
- Report any symptoms of a TBI to your insurance company as soon as you have received a diagnosis. Many companies have programs in place to help with recovery after an accident, which can include therapies and other types of treatment. Insurance companies have the legal responsibility to pay victims of car accidents if their driver was responsible for the crash.
- Keep copies of all records related to the accident itself, including police reports, photographs of injuries, letters from doctors explaining their diagnoses and future treatment plans, and any legal documents related to settlement negotiations or court proceedings that relate to the accident. In some cases, these records can help establish that an injury was due to negligence.
- If the accident was with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, it is important to have this information available so that the person at fault can be pursued for compensation.
- Keep receipts of medical expenses related to the crash, including hospital stays, ambulance rides, therapy sessions, and any medications supplied while in the hospital. It may also help to keep receipts for expenses related to extra childcare if injuries prevented parents from taking care of their children on some days.
Consider Contacting an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
A car accident can result in major injury or even death (depending on how severe the crash is). A victim who has sustained a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence will often need extensive treatment and rehabilitation before he or she recovers enough function to return home. If you suffered an injury in a car accident that involved someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover your damages by filing a personal injury claim.
To discuss the details of your case with an experienced attorney who can explain how you may have the right to receive compensation for your injuries and losses, consider contacting SLM Law Today at (310) 443-4119 for a free consultation.