Something that a lot of people do not know about traumatic head injuries is that symptoms may not be initially present and can actually develop days or weeks after an accident. This is particularly important in motor vehicle crashes, because the victim of a head trauma may not think he or she is injured at first, but then discover the injury later.
It is important to take certain steps following an accident so that you can protect your rights if you discover later on that you have a head injury. By following these basic steps, you can ensure you will have the tools you need to pursue a personal injury case if the situation merits legal action.
Collect all information at the scene of the accident
If you experience a motor vehicle crash, it is essential that you collect all the necessary and relevant contact and legal information from the other driver. In an accident where there was no vehicle damage and you do not think you have any injuries, or at least not any major injuries, you may consider simply walking away from the crash. This is never a good idea, however, because you cannot know at the time of the accident whether some delayed-onset injuries such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) may develop days, weeks, or even months later.
Take action as soon as you discover your injury
If injury symptoms do develop after you leave the scene of an accident, you need to take action right away. The first thing you should do is see a medical professional to get a diagnosis and treatment. Make sure you keep all documents relating to your treatment, because this documentation will be necessary if you decide to pursue a personal injury case due to the other driver’s negligence in causing your injuries. You may be able to seek compensation through the court system to pay for your medical expenses and lost wages due to time off work to recover from your injuries.
Stay attentive after an accident, even a minor one, for signs of a possible delayed-onset head injury. Have any unusual symptoms examined, including headaches, dizziness, fatigue, or nausea. And be sure to look out for a change in mood, speech, or behavior.
