More than 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized for traumatic brain injury each year. Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of concussion.
Haun Mena explains car accident concussion symptoms, treatment, and when to call a Houston car accident lawyer.
Common Symptoms of a Concussion After a Car Accident
When an individual suffers a concussion from a car accident, the symptoms may be physical, cognitive, or emotional.
Physical
Someone suffering from a car crash concussion may experience headache, dizziness, loss of consciousness, ringing in the ears, and sensitivity to light and sound. Pupils may be uneven or unreactive to light.
Concussion symptoms can also include vomiting, nausea, and poor balance.
Cognitive
Mental impacts of a concussion from a car accident might include confusion, disorientation, delayed mental processing, trouble concentrating, and difficulty processing new information.
Emotional
Irritability, nervousness, anxiety, and mood changes are emotional symptoms of a concussion from a car accident.
Because concussions vary in their causes, nature, and severity, the symptoms of concussion from a car accident may also vary widely. An individual will likely not experience all possible symptoms of a concussion, and these symptoms may change over time.
When To Seek Medical Treatment for a Post-Crash Concussion
If you suspect a head injury after a car accident, you should seek medical treatment immediately. Even a minor car accident can result in a concussion. Moreover, symptoms may be delayed, appearing hours or days after the accident, so it’s vital to monitor anyone after a car accident.
When a concussion is mild or moderate, timely care can promote healing and prevent secondary injury. If there is loss of consciousness or seizure, immediate attention is critical to prevent additional injury.
After your initial medical care, attend recommended follow-up appointments and seek additional care if symptoms worsen or change.
How a Concussion Can Impact Your Daily Life and Work
A car accident concussion can impact your daily life and work, even if there are no outward, physical signs. You may experience:
- Headaches that make it hard to focus.
- Confusion that makes it harder to exercise judgment and finish tasks.
- Poor balance that impairs the physical tasks of a job or causes a secondary fall.
- Irritability and anxiety that harm social and workplace relationships.
- Dizziness that prevents you from driving.
- Mood changes that create confusion and frustration.
- Fatigue that impacts the ability to start or complete tasks.
When symptoms are severe, an individual may be unable to work or perform daily activities. Symptoms may improve with time and treatment, but there can be long-term impacts of a car crash concussion.
Proving a Concussion Injury in a Houston Car Accident Claim
There are several challenges in proving a concussion injury in a Houston car accident claim. Because a concussion often doesn’t produce visible symptoms, you must have medical evidence to prove that the concussion occurred. While X-rays, CT scans, and standard MRI imaging may not show a concussion, advanced imaging may show brain dysfunction, blood flow, and microscopic damage.
Evaluation by a medical professional can provide valuable evidence. The professional can perform tests for pupil tracking, memory, processing speed, and balance. This information can establish that a concussion occurred and indicate its severity. Tests may need to be repeated to identify long-term symptoms and potential complications.
An expert can also discuss the impact of the concussion on an individual’s life. Proving a concussion in a Texas car accident case requires case planning. Having an attorney early in your case can help build a complete and compelling case for compensation.
Compensation Available for Concussion Victims in Texas
Texas law allows car accident victims to claim compensation for physical injury and harm. A concussion, with or without other injuries, is a type of physical harm that could qualify for a monetary award.
Proving the right to compensation
The first step for a concussion victim to receive compensation in Texas is to prove legal fault for the accident. Fault is usually based on negligence. In a car accident, negligence can mean a traffic violation, careless driving, or other unreasonable behavior that caused the accident.
Economic damage
Compensation for a concussion from a car accident in Texas begins with economic losses. Economic damages are direct financial losses resulting from the car accident. Medical bills from diagnostics, evaluation, physical therapy, and medication may be included. In addition, if the person misses work or the household needs to hire replacement services, these economic losses may be included in a compensation claim.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages represent the various ways that a concussion impacts a person’s life. For example, pain and suffering, impairment, and loss of social life can be claimed. While damages may not be speculative, a claim may include future losses.
Individual damages
Each case is valued individually. Every victim deserves fair compensation for how their concussion impacts them. Some damages, such as impairment, inconvenience, or reputational harm, are easy to overlook. An attorney can help ensure that your claim is fully valued.
What To Do After a Car Accident If You Suspect a Concussion
If you suspect a concussion after a car accident, stop activity immediately and call 911. Listen carefully to the operator’s instructions, as they may vary depending on the specific situation. First responders may transport you for medical attention, or it may be appropriate for you to seek your own medical attention. Don’t drive yourself if you suspect a concussion.
Tell the medical care providers exactly what occurred. Follow care instructions, and ask any questions you have.
Keep a list of what treatment you receive and all financial costs. Start a diary of symptoms, expenses, and ways the concussion has impacted you.
How a Houston Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Recover
A Houston car accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for a concussion from a car accident by assisting with the following:
- Gathering medical evidence of the concussion and its severity
- Identifying categories of damages that apply
- Valuing compensation
- Handling the case
- Negotiating compensation
- Finalizing paperwork
Haun Mena helps Texas car accident victims receive compensation for a concussion. If you’ve suffered a concussion from a car accident, it’s time to call a Houston car accident lawyer. Call or message us now.
