Concussion is a common injury. Almost everyone who consistently played contact sports as an adolescent was present at a game where someone got a concussion, or at least an injury that could be suspected as a concussion until doctors ruled it out. From a medical perspective, concussion is scary, though. It is a traumatic brain injury (TBI), just the mildest form of it. The symptoms resolve on their own, but if you have had one concussion before, there is always the risk that a subsequent head injury, even a relatively minor one, can lead to more serious TBI symptoms.
Car accidents are a leading cause of concussions, and even if your injury is not severe enough to require admission to the hospital, the medical bills and the time that you must take off from work to recover can wreck your finances. If you received a diagnosis of concussion after a car accident, contact a Santa Fe car accident lawyer.
Have a Doctor Examine You on the Day of the Accident, Even If You Are Not Sure If It Is Serious
If your head hits any structure in your car during a car accident, there is a risk that you might develop symptoms of concussion. There is reason to suspect concussion if you have any of the following symptoms:
· A visible injury to the head
· Blurry vision or double vision
· Loss of consciousness, even briefly
· Vomiting
· Severe or worsening headache
· Drowsiness
The symptoms might not appear immediately. Concussion symptoms usually peak between six and 48 hours after the traumatic injury. Some people feel like their normal selves after a car accident, only to develop concussion symptoms later that day.
Therefore, it is a good idea to go to the emergency room to be examined immediately after the accident. Even if you think you feel well enough to drive, it is better to go by ambulance, because you might start experiencing headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, or vision disturbances while you are driving to the hospital. The reports by the first responders and the doctor who examines you in the emergency room will be invaluable evidence if you file an insurance claim and request compensation for your medical expenses after the accident.
The Financial Fallout From Concussion
When teens get injured playing school sports, getting to miss school while they recover is a welcome break, although they will likely be disappointed about also missing sports games and practices during their recovery. For working adults, the financial consequences are the main concern. How quickly you can return to work after a concussion varies from one case to the next. Be sure to have your doctor document how long you must stay out of work; you can include the lost income on your insurance claim. Tell your doctor if you are still having troublesome symptoms after you return to work.
Contact Slate Stern About Car Accident Lawsuits
Slate Stern is a personal injury lawyer who represents plaintiffs injured in car accidents in New Mexico. Contact Slate Stern in Santa Fe, New Mexico or call (505)814-1517 to discuss your case.
Sources
Photo by Ben Hershey on Unsplash