Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are common car accident injuries. TBIs come in a variety of forms, such as mild concussions, bleeding on the brain, and irreversible brain damage. However, any TBI can cause a driver to be knocked unconscious for a few seconds or longer. For this reason, drivers who lose consciousness for any length of time after a crash should always seek out medical treatment. Loss of consciousness can be one of the first indicators of a TBI. Other TBI-related symptoms that may appear hours or days after an accident include:
- Mild to severe headaches
- Memory loss and lapses
- Personality changes
- Insomnia
- Problems speaking or putting words together
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to sound and light
- Nausea
- Difficulty concentrating on tasks
Drivers need to take these symptoms seriously. Although some TBIs may require little intervention, others could warrant costly treatments, like surgeries. However, drivers cannot make these judgment calls on their own. A car accident victim needs to be diagnosed by a doctor.
Getting treatment also proves the TBI resulted from the accident. Having proof of causation improves the likelihood of a driver receiving a higher settlement offer from the insurance company after filing a claim.
What Should I Do After Gaining Consciousness?
In addition to taking care of themselves medically, a driver who previously lost consciousness in a crash should still try to gather evidence from the scene. A driver who is able to walk around may want to take pictures of the road, street signs, and other related objects. Videos can also be useful to provide documentation that might be valuable when filing an insurance claim.
If a driver is unable to collect this type of information alone after being knocked unconscious, others at the scene may be able to help. These people could include passengers or witnesses. In fact, witnesses can help piece together what happened before, during, and after the incident.
Should I Contact a Lawyer After a Collision?
Losing consciousness can be a traumatic experience. It can also lead to expensive visits with doctors and specialists, even for drivers who have health insurance coverage. In a very serious accident, an injured victim may have to completely change their life. This is where a car accident lawyer can be helpful.
A car accident lawyer regularly helps injured drivers submit claims. If a car accident case goes to court, a lawyer will handle all legal matters and arguments. This allows the hurt driver and their family to focus on moving past the incident after recovering damages to offset the economic and non-economic costs.
A driver may have unclear recollections after a collision, and an insurance carrier may try to use this to their advantage. A lawyer will also make sure the insurance company does not use this tactic.
Atlantic City Car Accident Lawyers at the D’Amato Law Firm Help TBI Victims Recover Compensation After Collisions
Losing consciousness in a crash could be a sign of a TBI or another serious injury. After a collision, speak to one of our Atlantic City car accident lawyers at the D’Amato Law Firm for help. Call us at 609-926-3300 or complete our online form for a free consultation. We have an office located in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, and we serve clients throughout South Jersey, including Atlantic City, Linwood, Galloway Township, Cape May, Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Ocean City, and Woodbury.