Approximately 3 million Americans seek emergency medical attention for concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 20% of all concussions reported in the United States occur in motor vehicle collisions.
If you or a loved one suffered a head injury in a crash, you must know how to protect your health, well-being, and legal rights. Here’s a highlight of the most important things you should know about concussions and motor vehicle collisions in California.
A suspected concussion in a car accident requires immediate attention
Concussions can happen in car accidents in several different ways. In many cases, an occupant’s head will have slammed into the steering wheel, dashboard, the back of a seat, or another hard object. However, no actual physical contact suggests a concussion.
The jarring force of a crash can cause a traumatic brain injury. A suspected concussion is always a medical emergency. The Mayo Clinic highlights the following as TBI-related symptoms to watch out for after a blow to the head:
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Gaps in memory, especially short-term
- Headaches
- Sudden onset fatigue
- Vision issues, including blurred vision and sensitivity to light
- Nausea, potentially to the point of vomiting
- Slurring of words
- Loss of consciousness
- Odd feelings in the extremities
One of the challenges of diagnosing concussions after a car accident is that these injuries frequently occur with a delayed onset. A person who suffers a traumatic brain injury in a motor vehicle collision may not feel the full impact for 48 hours, 72 hours, or even longer than that.
Victims deserve compensation for medical bills, lost income, and impairments
California is an at-fault auto accident state. You can hold negligent defendants liable for the full extent of your damages after an accident, including for a concussion or TBI. At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, our Los Angeles concussion attorneys help injured victims and their families maximize their financial support. Compensation for damages may apply in:
- Automobile repairs
- Ambulance costs
- Emergency room treatment
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy
- Mental health support
- Loss of current and future wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Long-term physical or psychological impairment
As a concussion sustained in a car accident can have a long-lasting impact on the injured victims, total and fair financial compensation must apply for all ongoing and future costs. A skilled Los Angeles car accident lawyer will ensure that you and your family are in the best position to recover every dollar you rightfully deserve.
Get help from our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys today
At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, our Los Angeles car accidents attorneys have the skills, knowledge, and legal expertise to represent people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries in motor vehicle collisions. With a law office in Los Angeles, we represent injured victims throughout the surrounding area. If you or a loved one sustained a concussion in a crash, please contact us right away at 213-985-1120 for a free consultation.