How to pursue an insurance claim after sustaining a concussion in a car accident
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are common in serious car accidents and are often linked to contact with a steering wheel, airbag or dashboard. They can also be caused by side impact crashes, rollovers, whiplash from rear-end collisions, and violent shaking during a crash.
Crash victims may lose consciousness or experience noticeable TBI symptoms. Unlike severe TBIs, milder TBIs (including concussions) don’t always produce immediate symptoms. In some cases they can be difficult to detect.
How do I know if I have a mild TBI or concussion?
In some cases, crash victims may not be aware that they have sustained a mild TBI or concussion. In fact, it can take several days for the first signs to appear.
Some of the leading signs may include:
- Increased irritability and mood changes
- Loss of memory
- Confusion and disorientation
- Fatigue and sluggishness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light and noises
What course of action should I take if I sustained a head injury in a crash?
It’s important that you get to the right doctor who can properly diagnose and treat your concussion or mild traumatic brain injury. Your condition may be identified through an MRI or CT scan. There may not always be any physical signs, however.
If there are no physical signs of a mild TBI or concussion, you may need to be referred to a neurologist who can provide further examination. For example, cognitive testing may need to be performed. This may include evaluating your ability to concentrate or recall certain information.
How can a Kansas car accident attorney help me?
It's important that you hire an experienced attorney who knows how to handle cases involving mild TBIs and concussions. Insurance companies often attempt to downplay these injuries and claim that they are over-exaggerated. If insurance companies are generous enough, they may offer meager settlements that cover only a fraction of the cost of recovery.
That’s why you need an attorney who can present the right evidence to support your claim and determine how much compensation you are eligible for regarding current and future care, wage loss and other damages.
Your attorney should not only be experienced in negotiating fair financial settlements, but also experienced in the courtroom. Most car accident claims can be settled before reaching the courtroom, but sometimes an agreement can't be met during a negotiation. That's when your attorney will need to file a lawsuit and take your case to trial.
If you or a loved one sustained a concussion or other TBI in a crash, don’t hesitate to speak to the legal team at Warner Law Offices in Wichita, Kansas. We offer free and confidential case evaluations to our clients. Contact us online to get started on your claim.