Concussions from Car Accidents

Car accidents are the second leading cause of traumatic brain injury hospitalizations, including concussions, in the U.S. Concussions are commonly associated with a fall, but many Rhode Islanders do not realize how common concussion injuries are after a motor vehicle collision. A type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a concussion can happen when the impact of a fall or hit, such as a vehicle collision, forces a person’s brain to bounce back and forth inside the skull. This sudden acceleration of the head can affect brain function and lead to bleeding in or around the brain. Although concussions are more frequent in high speed crashes, such as high impact rear-end collisions, you do not necessarily need to hit your head on the steering wheel or the back of your seat to get concussed. Thus, many people in car accidents fail to recognize that they have a concussion because they did not hit their head during the collision. Regardless of the severity of your head injury, medical bills can be increasingly expensive and you may be unsure how to proceed. If you believe you have suffered a head injury such as a concussion as a result of a car crash, the Rhode Island car accident lawyers at Tapalian Law can assist you in getting the medical help you need and recovering compensation for your injuries.

What are the Symptoms of a Concussion after a Car Accident?

Some of the most common symptoms of a concussion after an accident are:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea/vomiting
• Sensitivity to light/noise
• Difficulty sleeping
• Memory loss or confusion
• “Ringing” in ears

Head injury symptoms can take several hours, even days, to manifest and many people are not immediately aware that they have a concussion. Thus, even if you don’t experience these symptoms for multiple days after the accident, you should still consult a medical provider. Never avoid seeking medical attention and do not downplay your symptoms. Undiagnosed concussions can lead to chronic issues like migraines, concentration problems, and even seizures. Medical treatment may be necessary for an extended period of time in these situations. Children and seniors are especially vulnerable to head injuries. Experienced with concussion after a motor vehicle accident, Rhode Island Car Accident Attorney David Tapalian advises injured clients to describe any and all symptoms that they may be experiencing to medical experts, regardless of how severe they are. Often, verification of physical symptoms can strengthen a personal injury claim and help you recover more compensation for your injuries. If you have been in a car accident and experience any of these concussion symptoms, even mildly, seek emergency medical help immediately. No one should have to deal with the ongoing suffering of a chronic head injury that could have been prevented.

What Am I Entitled to From a Concussion Sustained in a Car Accident?

Although every situation is unique, a skilled injury lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation for your car accident concussion in the following areas:

• Current and future medical expenses: Concussions are expensive; you could be eligible for compensation to cover medical treatments, doctors’ appointments, and special medications to treat the head pain.
• Pain and Suffering: A concussion can put a serious strain on your emotional well-being. You may experience a change in personality, or feel distant from your loved ones as a result of your concussion. In these situations, you may be entitled to compensation for your suffering.
• Lost Wages: Often, concussions from car accidents cause victims to miss substantial amounts of time from work. With concentration issues, traumatic flashbacks, and painful headaches, doctors often advise concussed victims to stay home to recover. If you miss time at work, you could be entitled to compensation for your lost paychecks.

Call an Experienced Rhode Island Car Accident Lawyer After a Concussion

A concussion can have a serious, lasting impact on your life. At Tapalian Law, we will do whatever it takes to help you get justice for your head injury. With a trusted team of Rhode Island personal injury experts, we will guide you through the correct procedures to move forward with your injury claim and create a plan to strengthen your case to make sure you have the greatest chance of reimbursement. We offer a free personal injury consultation with David Tapalian, a car accident attorney in RI and MA with over 20 years of experience, who will work with you directly on your claim. There is a 3-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in Rhode Island after an auto accident, and the longer you wait, the more difficult it is to recover losses for your concussion. Call Tapalian Law today at 401-552-5000 or contact us online to set up a free consultation. If you were severely injured in the accident and cannot come to our office in Providence, we can visit you in your home or at the hospital for your free consultation. We work on a contingency system so you pay nothing unless we win your case. You have nothing to lose, so contact us today to see how we can help you.