Common Warning Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion After a Car Accident
A Nashville car accident lawyer explains what you should know about TBI
People often sustain serious head injuries in car accidents. And some of the most common head injuries caused by car accidents are concussions, which are also called mild traumatic brain injuries or mild TBIs.
So how do you know if you have a concussion? What are the warning signs? What’s the difference between a mild or a severe TBI? And who’s responsible for paying for your concussion? These are important questions that demand accurate answers.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs when the brain is jolted against the skull. This type of head injury often occurs due to a blow to the head or when the brain is violently shaken, causing the brain to collide with the inner walls of the skull.
These types of head injuries are especially common in car accidents. Because of the force and power of many car crashes, passengers or drivers in vehicles are often suddenly thrown forward with significant force. This rapid movement causes the brain to accelerate and collide into the skull, resulting in a concussion.
How common are car accident concussions?
Sadly, car accident concussions are very common. Each year, nearly 300,000 people sustain a concussion or a mild TBI in a car accident nationwide, according to annual car accident injury data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
To put such numbers in perspective, nearly 1.7 million people each year need medical care for a concussion nationwide. As a result, more than 1 out of 6 concussions (roughly 17 percent) are due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.
How do car accidents cause concussions?
In general, the sudden, powerful force of a car accident throws a person’s brain against the inside of their skull. Certain types of car accidents often result in concussions, including:
- Rear-end accidents.
- Head-on collisions.
- Intersection accidents.
- T-bone or side impact accidents.
- High-speed collisions.
What are common concussion symptoms?
There are many warning signs of a concussion caused by a car accident. Some of the most common concussion symptoms include:
- Frequent, severe headaches.
- Dizziness or poor balance.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Memory lapses and difficulty concentrating.
- Sensitivity to bright lights or loud noises.
- Slurred speech or difficulty talking.
- Excessive tiredness and difficulty staying awake.
How do I know if I have a mild or severe traumatic brain injury?
The best way to know for sure is to see a doctor right away. That way, they can run medical tests to diagnose whether you have a concussion or a more severe TBI. Such diagnostic medical tests often include imaging tests such as MRIs, X-rays or CT scans.
If you have a severe TBI, it’s critical that you have a medical professional diagnose your brain injury right away. Otherwise, you could develop serious or potentially life threatening medical issues due to a severe brain injury.
In addition, even if you have a concussion or mild TBI, you could experience serious or long-term medical issues due to such head injuries. This is especially true if you previously sustained a concussion. Multiple concussions can cause permanent brain damage in some cases.
What medical treatments are available for concussions?
There’s no so-called “cure” for a concussion. In many cases, many of the medical treatments for concussions address the symptoms or side effects of a mild brain injury. Common concussion treatments include:
- Rest during the first 48 hours in a dark room after a mild TBI.
- Avoiding activities that can aggravate concussion symptoms. As a result, many medical professionals advise concussion injury victims to avoid bright lights and looking at electronic devices like televisions, computer screens, video games and cellphones.
- Gradually introducing gentle physical activity after 48 hours of rest.
- Pain medications, especially if concussion injury victims suffer from serious or chronic headaches.
Another benefit of seeking medical care after a concussion is you will then have an official medical record of your injury. This is important since obtaining financial compensation for a car accident injury often requires evidence that the accident directly caused the concussion.
How much is my car accident concussion worth?
There’s no set dollar amount when it comes to car accident claims involving a concussion. Each case is different and total compensation will vary from one case to another. The bottom line is you should be financially compensated for all your accident-related expenses, which often include:
- Medical care, including emergency medical treatments and future, anticipated medical care, especially if you suffer from chronic pain months or years after your accident.
- Vehicle repairs or the cost of buying a new car if your vehicle is a total loss due to your accident.
- Replacement income if you need time off from work to rest and recover from your concussion.
Add all these expenses up and your car accident concussion claim can easily be worth thousands of dollars or significantly more money.
Who pays for my car accident concussion in Tennessee?
Tennessee has an at-fault or “tort” system when it comes to car accident compensation. This means the at-fault party must pay for all accident expenses for anyone injured in a collision caused by them.
So does this mean the driver who caused your accident must pay for it? Usually not. Instead, it’s the at-fault driver’s insurance company that normally pays for all accident-related expenses. In addition, there may be other at-fault parties in some cases, including the company that made the vehicle involved in your collision. If there was a design defect involving the car’s brakes or tires, for example, that company might have to pay for part of your accident as well.
So how do you know who’s the at-fault party responsible for paying for your accident? Often, the best way to know is to talk to an experienced attorney who understands how Tennessee’s car accident compensation system works, especially when it comes to concussions.
Should I accept a car accident settlement offer?
Many times, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will contact you soon after the accident and make a settlement offer. This is a lump sum payment designed to pay for all your accident-related expenses.
After an accident, you might be tempted to accept such an offer. But keep in mind that a settlement offer is a one-time payment for your accident. If you agree to accept this offer, that’s it. You cannot ask for more money in the future, even if your accident expenses are more than you expected months or years later.
This is why you should always talk to a lawyer after an accident. Your attorney can review any settlement offers you receive and advise on whether to accept the settlement or ask for more money and negotiate a better offer with the help of an attorney.
Can I file a car accident concussion lawsuit?
Yes, you have the right to take legal action, which often includes filing a car accident lawsuit seeking damages, the legal term for compensation for financial losses due to the at-fault party’s wrongful actions.
Many times, filing a lawsuit is the best way to get the maximum compensation you deserve for your accident. Just be aware that you must file your lawsuit within a certain amount of time after your accident in Tennessee. The deadline (known as the statute of limitations) is one year from the date of your accident. If you miss this deadline, you likely will not be able to take legal action. As a result, you could end up having to pay for your accident out of your own pocket.
Why should I hire a Tennessee car accident lawyer?
Car accident concussion claims in Tennessee can be complicated legal cases. Sometimes, it’s because the at-fault driver denies doing anything wrong. Other times, it’s the other driver’s insurance company that’s the problem. They might try to claim that your mild TBI isn’t that serious and that you don’t deserve the money you need to pay for all your accident expenses.
That’s why you need an experienced Nashville car accident lawyer on your side. At The Law Office of Eric Beasley, we understand the impact a concussion can have on your life and the obstacles you’ll face when trying to recover financial compensation. We can guide you through the legal process every step of the way.
We have been fighting for the injured in Tennessee for more than 20 years and know how to get results, including a $3.5 million settlement in one car accident case.
If you suffered a concussion in a car accident, learn more about how we can help. Contact us or call our Nashville law office today to schedule a free consultation. We can review the details of your accident, discuss your legal options, and answer any questions you have.
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