Car accidents happen all the time, and unfortunately, many cause traumatic brain injuries that can severely impact a person’s life. Concussions are extremely common injuries that one can sustain in a car accident. Over 280,000 concussions a year can be attributed to car accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control, CDC. In this blog, we discuss post-concussion syndrome and the effects it can have on accident victims.
Accident victims that do not seek treatment for their concussion symptoms can develop post-concussion syndrome. Even if you seek medical care following a concussion, you could still be at risk. Individuals with lasting symptoms from their concussion can experience long-term effects like decreased motor functions and the ability to work.
If you suffered a serious injury from a car accident that resulted in your developing post-concussion syndrome, you could have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. At Lipton Law, an experienced Detroit personal injury attorney is ready to help. Your Michigan car accident lawyer will make sure the at-fault driver is held responsible. Working with the insurance company can also be difficult, especially when dealing with head injuries. You don’t need to face this fight on your own. Contact Lipton Law to discuss your case with one of our Michigan car accident attorneys. Call us today at 248-557-1688 to schedule a free consultation.
How Do Car Accidents Cause Concussions?
Concussions are common serious injuries that can happen in a car accident. Due to the sudden impact you can experience in a car accident, those inside can be thrown forward or into headrests, windows, or doors. When this sudden impact happens, the head can take the brunt of the impact since it’s not secured with a seatbelt. When you’re involved in a car crash that causes serious injuries to your head, you may have a concussion that can turn into post-concussion syndrome. If you suffer a brain injury in an accident, contact a Michigan brain injury lawyer as soon as possible.
What Is the Difference Between a Concussion and Post-Concussion Syndrome?
The most significant difference between a concussion and post-concussion syndrome is the longevity of symptoms. Those that have suffered a concussion usually experience temporary symptoms. Concussions can also affect an individual’s mental ability for a short time.
Individuals suffering from this injury usually have more severe symptoms than concussions, lasting much longer. Those with post-concussion syndrome may be unable to return to work and perform simple tasks.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is the most common traumatic brain injury. A concussion can occur when the brain hits the skull when an impact occurs. When a person suffers a concussion during a car accident, the brain injury can be caused by whiplash or the head hitting the headrest, airbag, steering wheel, or window.
It’s essential to seek medical attention following a car accident where you’ve suffered a head injury, regardless of whether you’re experiencing pain or issues. Your doctor will most likely diagnose you with a mild traumatic brain injury and provide you with a treatment plan. It’s crucial to visit a doctor when you’ve suffered head injuries so that they can monitor your recovery. Without medical treatment, your symptoms could worsen and become life-threatening.
What Is Post-Concussion Syndrome?
A person who has suffered a concussion and has long-lasting symptoms could be diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. Each person is different and can experience these symptoms for weeks or months.
The symptoms occur when the brain cells don’t have enough oxygen, which can affect a person’s cognitive abilities and performing everyday tasks.
How Common Is Post-Concussion Syndrome?
Post-concussion syndrome is common in many individuals suffering from a concussion. According to the Concussion Foundation, up to 30% of concussion victims develop post-concussion syndrome.
Symptoms of Post-Concussion Syndrome
Individuals that suffer from frequent headaches and some older people may have an increased risk of developing post-concussion syndrome following a car accident.
Much like post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, some individuals may develop psychological issues. They may experience difficulty handling daily tasks, which can cause depression and anxiety to develop.
Cognitive issues and chronic headaches can make it hard for individuals to work and even perform simple tasks. These long-term post-concussion symptoms are evaluated when you pursue a personal injury claim from a car accident.
What Are the Three Signs of Post-Concussion Syndrome?
Those suffering from post-concussion syndrome will typically experience the following:
- Dizziness
- Memory loss
- Headaches
What Are the Best Treatments for Post-Concussion Syndrome?
There is no specific treatment available for this condition. Instead, your doctor will treat your symptoms. Your doctor may suggest some of the following treatment options.
- Physical Therapy: Working with a physical therapist could help with the physical symptoms you’re experiencing. It can affect the neck and upper back that can cause chronic head pain. Many people suffering from brain injuries from a car accident also experience whiplash, which can cause neck injuries.
- Balance Therapy: Balance therapy can also benefit those with post-concussion syndrome. Also known as vestibular rehabilitation therapy, this can help individuals improve their balance and lower their risk of falling.
- Vision Therapy: Many individuals have vision problems like light sensitivity, dizziness, and vertigo. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, visiting a vision therapist and optometrist can help improve any vision-related issues over time.
Post-Concussion Syndrome Recovery Period
Your doctor could diagnose you with post-concussion syndrome if your brain injury symptoms have lasted beyond the average concussion time period. Since there are no specific treatments for it, your doctor will evaluate and treat your symptoms accordingly.
If your symptoms are severe enough, your doctor may refer you to a neurologist for evaluation. You might undergo nerve testing and have an MRI of your brain.
Is Post-Concussion Syndrome Permanent?
Some brain injuries are so severe that they are permanent. If you believe you’re experiencing symptoms, seeking medical treatment immediately is best. A doctor can evaluate your head injury and create a treatment plan to help you recover some of your lost abilities. Regardless of how severe your head injury is, you can still benefit from medical treatment. Seeking medical treatment is best if you want relief from your post-concussion syndrome symptoms. Regardless of how serious your injuries are, there are plenty of treatments and specialists out there that can help.
Is Post-Concussion Syndrome a Disability?
Post-concussion syndrome can result in a disability. Some individuals cannot return to work and perform simple tasks because of brain injury. To qualify for disability, you must be able to validate the following:
- You cannot control the movement of two of your extremities, either arms, legs, or one arm and one leg. The inability to control your extremities affects your ability to balance, stand up, and sit.
OR
- Have difficulty thinking, completing tasks, controlling emotions and behavior, or interacting with others. These symptoms must continue for at least three months following your traumatic brain injury.
If you’re considering filing for disability, it’s essential to keep all medical documentation like:
- Doctor’s visits notes
- Emergency room records
- Results of any tests related to your head injury
- Written statements from family, co-workers, and friends
- IQ tests
- Counselor notes
- Any documentation regarding physiological disorders like anxiety and depression
Can You File a Post-Concussion Syndrome Lawsuit?
The answer is yes; you can file a post-concussion syndrome lawsuit. The symptoms resulting from this injury can be long-lasting and affect a person’s daily life, even preventing them from working.
To pursue a personal injury case, it’s important to reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney. Not only will they seek damages for medical costs, but they will also go after compensation for all economic and non-economic damages. It’s essential to provide your legal team with medical documentation that proves your diagnosis. Your attorney will also likely need a copy of the auto accident report made by police at the scene.
If you suffered serious brain injuries in a car accident caused by another, you’re entitled to both economic and non-economic damages.
The following are several economic damages you could be entitled to:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Physical therapy
- Long-term care
Below are some non-economic damages you could receive compensation for:
- Pain and discomfort
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental trauma
- Disabilities and permanent impairment
- Scarring and disfigurement
What Is the Average Post-Concussion Syndrome Settlement Value?
Determining the post-concussion syndrome settlement value can be difficult since every case differs. Other than the injury itself, the factors determining value are the defendant’s insurance policy and how the accident happened. During negotiations, your personal injury lawyer will use your lost wages, medical bills, future medical expenses, and pain and suffering to help with your concussion settlement.
Medical evidence like documents from your doctor and other medical records can help prove post-concussion syndrome and work in your favor when pursuing personal injury claims. This is another reason it’s so crucial that you see a doctor following your car accident. A post-concussion syndrome settlement will be even harder without medical records and documentation.
Since post-concussion syndrome can involve long-lasting pain and discomfort, the average settlement is usually high compared to a mild traumatic brain injury settlement.
What Factors Can Affect a Post-Concussion Syndrome Car Accident Settlement?
When determining your concussion settlement amount, several factors will be considered. The most crucial factor in determining the settlement amount is whether the person suffers from post-concussion syndrome. Another factor determining the settlement amount is if the person is being treated and how severe their injuries are.
Other factors that affect post-concussion syndrome settlement amounts are:
- If the individual had any pre-existing conditions
- How severe the injury is and how long the individual waited to seek treatment
- If the post-concussion syndrome injury is related to a work accident
- Whether the individual was diagnosed and treated right away or it developed over time
Have You Developed Post-Concussion Syndrome After a Car Accident?
If you’re experiencing the lingering symptoms of a concussion after a severe car accident, you may have developed post-concussions syndrome. If someone else’s negligence caused this accident and subsequent injury, you deserve compensation.
The personal injury attorneys at Lipton Law are ready to represent you in your post-concussion syndrome case. We’ve been helping individuals in Michigan receive maximum compensation for their personal injury cases, and we will do the same for you.
Contact Lipton Law’s Michigan Brain Injury Lawyers Today
If you’ve suffered post-concussion syndrome from a car accident caused by another’s negligence, the attorneys at Lipton Law can help. To schedule a free initial consultation, call our office today at 248-557-1688.