Brain Injury After A Car Accident: What You Should Know
Most people will be involved in a car accident at least once in their lives. All car accidents are an inconvenience but when car injuries lead to major injuries they can permanently change a person’s life.
Head injuries including traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are very common in car accidents. If you’re ever in a car accident, detecting brain injury early on can save your life.
What Are Brain Injuries?
Everything from a mild concussion to a severe trauma is considered a brain injury. Brain injury can be difficult to detect because its symptoms don’t surface immediately. Getting a physical examination after the accident may help you spot injuries before they worsen.
Someone who’s been in a car accident and suffered a TBI may look unharmed right after the accident but after a few hours the story will be completely different.
Signs & Symptoms of Brain Injury
Brian injuries in car accidents happen when you: suffer whiplash, hit your head or when your head was jolted in the crash. During the time of the accident your head may be fine but in the coming days, lookout for the following signs:
- amnesia/forgetfulness
- blurred/double vision
- confusion
- dizziness and/or vertigo
- extreme drowsiness
- headache
- fainting
- nausea and/or vomiting
- seizures
- sensitivity to lights and sounds
In severe cases, the victims of a car accident may not be able to communicate their pain or other symptoms. In these circumstances, the people around them should be checking for physical signs of brain injuries. These signs include:
- confusion
- delayed reactions
- extreme drowsiness
- issues with balance and motor function
- loss of consciousness/seizures
- nausea
- overemotional/irritability
- slurred speech
- unusual behavior
What to do When You’ve Incurred a Brain Injury
Even if you’ve not incurred any visible injuries, it’s imperative that you see a doctor after a car accident. A physician will conduct a proper physical examination to check for external and internal injuries.
In the coming days if you notice the above symptoms, don’t ignore them and head to the doctor immediately! It doesn’t take long for a brain injury to hinder the rest of your body’s functions.
Bear in mind that a brain injury can cause issues even weeks after the accident.
If you had a concussion take some time off work and get lots of rest. Avoid social and physical activities for a few weeks until you’ve fully recovered.
Head Injuries and Insurance
People that have suffered a TBI will need to contact their insurance company to obtain compensation for the loss of income and payment of medical expenses. Insurance companies are notorious for minimizing your injuries and brushing off the issues with a small settlement.
With a seasoned personal injury lawyer in your corner, you should be able to receive a better settlement from your insurance company. They’ll ensure you are compensated properly for the injuries you’ve suffered.
If you’re in New York and are suffering from a brain injury, get in touch with Milenkovic Law Group PLLC. at 914-202-0610. We provide a number of legal services in parts of New York such as The Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Queens and Westchester.