Signs of a brain injury after an accident include headaches, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, confusion, blurred vision, loss of consciousness, and others. If you see any of these signs in yourself or a loved one after a severe blow or jolt to the head, you should take the situation seriously. Even a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), such as a concussion, should receive immediate attention from a medical professional.
Various accidents can cause brain injuries, and a Lakeland traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you seek compensation from a liable party. If you suffered a brain injury in a car accident, slip and fall, boating accident, golf accident, or other type of accident that wasn’t your fault, a personal injury lawyer can handle your case for compensation while you rest and recover.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries
According to the Mayo Clinic, types of brain injuries range from minor to severe. Without medical intervention, it’s difficult to determine how extensive your head injury is. Consider the following common brain injury symptoms and how they differ based on the extent of a brain injury.
Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries
Aside from the previously mentioned TBI symptoms, such as headaches and nausea, mild traumatic brain injuries or concussions can cause other sensory and cognitive symptoms. If you or a loved one suffered a blow to the head, look out for:
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Changes in ability to smell or taste
- Loss of consciousness
- Sleep issues
- Depression or anxiety
- Memory loss
- Concentration issues
- Fatigue
- Speech problems
- Balance issues
Even mild traumatic brain injuries can lead to long-term complications, like vertigo, so take them seriously and see a doctor as soon as possible.
Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries
Physical and cognitive symptoms may appear more immediately in someone with a moderate or severe brain injury. In this case, a loved one may witness the symptoms and take action.
A TBI victim may report or exhibit:
- Persistent or severe headache
- Cognitive difficulties
- A loss of consciousness that lasts several minutes or even hours
- Nausea and vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Blurry vision
- Convulsions or seizures
- Confusion and disorientation
- Strange behavior
- Dilated pupils
- Clear fluids coming from the nose or ears
- Weakness or numbness in the fingers and toes
- A loss of coordination
What to Do if You See Signs of a Brain Injury After an Accident
If you see any of these common signs of brain injuries after a car accident or other type of accident, see a doctor and follow through with your prescribed treatment plan. Even if you notice the symptoms hours or days after the accident, get medical treatment as soon as possible. Only a doctor can accurately diagnose and treat a traumatic brain injury.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, brain injury treatments may include:
- Surgery to relieve fluid buildup or address a skull fracture
- Medication to help with symptoms, such as pain or seizures
- Rehabilitative therapy
- Treatments to prevent infection and blood clots
You should follow your doctor’s orders and report any persistent or worsening symptoms. This will help you reach your maximum medical recovery. Your medical records can also serve as key evidence in a case for compensation.
Consider Seeking Legal Representation if You Suffer a Brain Injury After an Accident
The medical treatment for a brain injury is costly enough, yet you may also face lost income from having to miss work for an extended period of time while you recover. These accident-related losses add up quickly. If negligence contributed to your auto accident or other type of accident, you may be able to recover financial compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
You don’t have to handle your case alone. You can hire a brain injury lawyer to handle the legal legwork, so you can focus on your physical and mental recovery.
Compensation for an Accident-Related TBI
You shouldn’t have to shoulder the burden of someone else’s negligence. A severe head injury attorney can help you seek financial recovery for various damages after a motor vehicle accident or other accident, such as:
- Current medical expenses, such as diagnostic testing, emergency room care, and surgeries
- Ongoing medical care, such as physical and cognitive therapy
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Scarring and disfigurement
- In-home aid
- Disability
If you lost a loved one due to a fatal brain injury after an accident, a wrongful death lawyer can help your family seek compensation. Nothing can make up for such a devastating loss, but you shouldn’t have to suffer financially while you grieve. You may recover awards to cover the decedent’s funeral expenses, lost household income, and accident-related medical bills.
How a Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help
Several steps are involved in seeking financial recovery for a severe head injury. You may begin with an insurance claim or proceed straight to legal action. It all depends on what your particular case requires.
You can leave all the legal legwork to a traumatic brain injury lawyer who can:
- Investigate your accident to identify a liable party
- Gather evidence of the at-fault party’s negligence and your losses
- File all the necessary documents
- Negotiate with insurers for a fair settlement
- Handle all communications with the liable party and their representatives
- Represent you in a trial, if necessary
A TBI lawyer can tailor a legal strategy to your particular situation and seek fair compensation while you rest.
You Have a Deadline to File a Lawsuit for a Brain Injury After an Accident
According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, you generally only have two years after an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This doesn’t leave your legal team much time to build a case, so the sooner you start, the better.
If you miss this deadline, you risk seeing the court dismiss your case.
“Ask Dave” for Help if You See Signs of a Brain Injury After an Accident
Our personal injury team at Dismuke Law is ready to help. If you see signs of a brain injury after an accident, seek immediate medical attention, and then call us. We can begin working on your case immediately.
Contact us today to discuss your case during a free, no-obligation consultation.
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