The most important thing to know about head and neck injuries after an accident is that they can have serious, long–term consequences.
You should see a doctor even if all you notice is a little bruising or just mild soreness. You need to get checked out to verify that you did not suffer any serious or life-threatening injuries. If you were injured in an accident in our state, consult a Charlottesville personal injury lawyer.
What Types of Head and Neck Injuries are Most Common After an Accident?
If you are lucky, you may only sustain light injuries and feel better in a couple of days. Most people recover from a mild concussion after a few days’ rest. Nevertheless, you should never assume that a head injury is mild until you have a medical opinion on it.
These examples of head injuries, other than cuts, lacerations, and broken bones, serve as a reminder that head and neck injuries can have very serious consequences. Sometimes, it is the damage you do not see that is the most serious of all.
Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Post-Concussion Syndrome
Moderate TBIs may or may not be life-threatening, but they can affect your long-term ability to function. Symptoms include headaches, vomiting, loss of vision, sensitivity to noise, dizziness, mood changes, and even seizures.
The CDC’s information about moderate and severe TBI warns that costly medical needs and lifelong aftereffects are a real risk. 30% of TBI sufferers find that their symptoms become worse, rather than better, over time.
Severe TBIs: Open and Closed Head Injuries
Open head injuries are all too easy to see because the skull is breached. Closed head injuries are internal injuries that cannot be seen at a glance. They can be fatal and are particularly dangerous because you may only experience symptoms sometime after the accident.
You will need a CT scan to determine whether you have a closed head injury, like bleeding on the brain. A doctor can determine whether you should have a scan by giving you a thorough physical and neurological exam.
Neck Injuries: Whiplash Can Be Very Serious
The term “whiplash” covers a surprisingly wide range of neck injuries, ranging from strained muscles to broken vertebrae. It is a common injury after car accidents, but you can get whiplash from a sporting accident or even a particularly rough roller coaster ride.
Fortunately, most whiplash cases are not severe, and people can recover in a few weeks. In some instances, however, it can have very long-term, even lifelong, consequences, and in rare cases, it can even cause death.
Eligibility: Compensation Claims for Head and Neck Injuries
Now that you know about head and neck injuries after an accident, you may be wondering what you can do about all the damage they cause. The most important thing is to follow doctors’ orders, but even so, your recovery may be lengthy. This brings us to compensation claims.
Using our roller coaster ride example, you may have signed a waiver limiting the property owner’s liability. Do not give up on the idea of claiming compensation. If the owner of the premises did not take reasonable steps to keep you safe, you may still be able to claim.
You may wonder: “Can I file a personal injury claim for my sports injury?” If a player who hurt you was breaking the rules, you may have grounds for a claim. If you were harmed in a car accident, on the other hand, the at-fault party is liable for damages.
Types of Compensation for Head and Neck Injuries
Head and neck injuries can cause permanent disability. In other instances, the after effects will not be as far-reaching, but there will still be costs. If you have head and neck injuries after an accident, know that compensation payments can reduce your financial distress. They may include:
- Medical and rehabilitation costs
- Long-term medical expenses
- Loss of earnings and future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Psychological harm and distress
- Inconvenience, both past and future
- Long-term disability or disfigurement
As you can see, there are various types of damages in personal injury cases you can claim. You will need an experienced lawyer to help you determine what and how much to claim.
Moving Forward After Suffering Head and Neck Injuries
The first step is one you must take. Consult your attorney about our accident. They will give you a clear assessment indicating whether you qualify for compensation, how much it may be, and whether you have a good chance of recovering it.
If you decide to move forward, their team will help you to gather the supporting evidence that the attorney will use when negotiating compensation. Do not attempt to deal with this process yourself. You may end up settling for far less than you should have received.
These matters are usually settled out of court. If the other party (usually an insurance company) fails to agree to a reasonable settlement, it will be decided in court. Whichever route we follow, you can rely on a stalwart champion to represent you.
MartinWren, P.C. Is The Trusted Representation You Need
You have experienced a traumatic injury. We know that head or neck injuries after an accident can leave you unable to travel. We believe that it should be unnecessary for you to do so. If you would like us to visit you at home or in the hospital, we will do so.
There is no reason to delay meeting with a lawyer. No compensation or payment can cure your injury, but we will make it our business to ensure you do not suffer unnecessary financial distress and are able to receive compensation for the harms and losses you suffered.
Know that several teams will come together to help you after a head or neck injury: your medical team, your family, and your legal team. Count on us to work together to make things as easy as possible for you and your family.
