A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury, triggered by an impact to the head or blow to the body. Slip and fall accidents and car accidents are among the leading causes of brain injuries.
All brain injuries must be taken seriously. Even a mild concussion can cause you to suffer short-term difficulties and long-term consequences. Moderate and severe concussions can leave you with permanent impairments, especially if you don’t receive a timely diagnosis and proper medical treatment.
The trouble with concussions is that they are sometimes overlooked. Doctors may miss brain injury symptoms when they are focused on more physical injuries like broken bones, spinal injuries, or internal injuries. You may not recognize signs and symptoms of a concussion when you are upset, overwhelmed and in pain after an accident.
Read on for information about concussion symptoms, diagnosing a concussion, and how to file a personal injury claim to receive compensation after suffering a concussion.
Diagnosing a Concussion: Seek Medical Attention After an Accident
Prompt medical attention is critical to detecting brain injury, preventing further damage, and putting you on the right path to recovery. Any suspected brain injury must be treated as an emergency. Sometimes an injury to the head is noticeable, for example, if the accident causes an open head wound or knocks you unconscious.
That is not always the case. In fact, in many situations, a brain injury is not immediately obvious. Loss of consciousness is a major indicator, but you can sustain a concussion without losing consciousness. Even a seemingly minor car accident can cause a severe brain injury that is not visible to the naked eye. A traumatic brain injury (“TBI”) can cause internal bleeding, bruising, tears, swelling, and other damage to your brain or the surrounding tissues.
It is crucial to seek medical attention after any accident where you hit your head or suspect a brain injury. Medical staff at the hospital will diagnose and assess the extent of the brain injury, start treatment to prevent any further damage to your brain from swelling and bleeding, and monitor you for any changes or worsening symptoms. Imaging tests such as a CT scan or MRI may be needed to determine the location and extent of the damage to your brain. Surgery may be required in some cases.
There is another very important reason to seek prompt medical attention after an accident. The records created when you seek medical attention provide vital support in your personal injury claim if your injuries were caused by another person’s negligence.
Signs And Symptoms Of A Concussion
Signs and symptoms of a TBI may be immediately apparent—vomiting, seizure, or loss of consciousness, for example—or they may take hours, days, or weeks to appear. Here are some of the other concussion symptoms to watch out for in the aftermath of an accident:
Difficulty concentrating
Confusion
Headaches
Memory issues or amnesia
Balance problems or dizziness
Blurry vision
Ringing in ears
Feeling groggy
Personality or mood changes (sadness, emotional distress, lack of energy, irritability)
The presence of any of these kinds of symptoms after an accident may indicate that you suffered a head trauma or brain injury and they should not be ignored. If you notice these or any other unexplained symptoms, get medical attention as soon as possible so that any injury to your brain is properly diagnosed and treated.
Filing Your Claim For Personal Injury Compensation
When you are injured in an accident caused by someone else’s fault or negligence, you are entitled to file two types of claims: an accident benefits claim (a.k.a. no fault benefits) and a personal injury claim. It is important to connect with our Oshawa brain injury lawyers immediately after receiving necessary medical attention so we can guide you through the complicated claims process. There is a lot of paperwork involved, and there are critical limitation periods that must be met or your claim will be in jeopardy.
At the outset, we will provide you with a free case evaluation, advising you on the strengths of your personal injury lawsuit and the range of financial compensation you can expect to receive for your injuries. The types of damage you may be entitled to include pain and suffering, lost income (past and future), out-of-pocket medical expenses, housekeeping costs, and the costs of future medical care.
As your case progresses, our Oshawa brain injury lawyers are skilled at gathering evidence, including clinical records, medical assessments, and expert reports. We can also gather evidence to build your claim if liability for the accident is disputed (e.g., the other driver says the accident was partly your fault). We will assist you at every step in the process, including securing payment of lost income and funding for treatment to promote your rehabilitation while your claim is still being processed by the insurance company or litigated in the courts.
Get Trustworthy Legal Advice From An Experienced Brain Injury Lawyer
Oshawa law firm Kelly Greenway Bruce is here to assist you or your loved one with a
personal injury claim, regardless of the severity of the brain injury or the complexity of the case.
The Oshawa brain injury lawyers at Kelly Greenway Bruce have over 50 years of experience representing accident victims. Retaining a personal injury lawyer from our law firm as soon as possible after the accident gives you the benefit of our expertise. We will protect your legal rights and help you file a strong lawsuit to secure full compensation for pain and suffering, wage losses, medical bills, and more.
Contact our dedicated team either in Oshawa or Lindsay for a free initial consultation today.
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