Hitting your head or experiencing any kind of physical trauma that causes your brain to shift can lead to significant injuries. Concussions are the most common type of brain injury. Though they’re considered to be mild traumatic brain injuries, concussions can leave you with symptoms that impact your life for weeks or even months.
If you have sustained a concussion injury because of another party’s conduct, you may be able to pursue legal avenues. Learn more about what a concussion is, its most common symptoms, and whether you have the right to begin a personal injury claim after experiencing one.
What Is a Concussion Injury?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that occurs when your brain moves or twists inside your skull. It affects function because it causes changes to brain chemicals. Although concussions are not life-threatening, their effects can last for days or even weeks.
You can experience numerous symptoms after a concussion, including:
- Balance problems
- Headaches
- Neck pain
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Tinnitus
- Confusion
- Mood swings
- Sleeping problems
- Fatigue
- Depression
Although most people who suffer concussions don’t lose consciousness, it is a possibility. The more severe the injury, the longer unconsciousness can last.
Common Causes of Concussion Injuries
The most common cause of concussions is falls. Even slip and fall accidents can lead you to hit your head hard enough for your brain to shift.
Motor vehicle accidents are another common cause. Car accidents result in these injuries from direct blows to the head or from deceleration. If the car abruptly stops, inertia still propels your brain forward in your skull while the rest of your body is held tightly by the seat belt. This shift in the brain can cause damage to nerves and nerve fibers.
Sports accidents, especially in football, can also result in brain injuries. One of the most difficult aspects of these incidents is that it’s much easier for someone who has already suffered a concussion to suffer a second one. Football players who sustain more than one concussion are at risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which causes permanent brain damage.
Important Legal Considerations After Suffering a Concussion
A concussion might seem like a minor injury, but it can impact your life for days or weeks. It could require medical care, and you will likely need to take time off from work. These are losses for which you can be compensated if they were the result of another party’s negligent or wrongful conduct.
You will need to prove that the other person was responsible for the injury, which isn’t always easy to do. Additionally, if you hold some degree of fault for the accident, you are generally allowed to recover losses in Missouri. However, your damages will likely be proportionally reduced by the percentage of your fault.
If the accident occurred at work, you will need to file a workers’ compensation claim. These claims allow you to recover your medical expenses and lost wages, but not non-economic damages for losses like pain and suffering.
If your employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, you typically can’t file a personal injury claim against them. If, however, a third party was involved in the accident that led to your concussion, you may be entitled to pursue both a workers’ compensation and a personal injury claim.
How a St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help Your Claim
Filing a personal injury claim is never a simple process. You may be struggling with serious symptoms that could drag on, leaving you anxious and stressed. By hiring a personal injury lawyer, you have a chance to focus on healing.
A lawyer will begin by investigating the accident and gathering information to prove how the concussion impacted you and who may be liable. They can then calculate your losses and start negotiating with insurance companies. Insurers are always looking for ways of minimizing claims, so it’s common for them to try to pin more of the blame on you than you deserve.
Your attorney will aggressively negotiate for fair compensation. If they are unable to obtain a settlement, the next step is to pursue a lawsuit in court. They can help you determine all the deadlines and requirements applicable to your case and ensure you comply with them.
Contact Our St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyers at Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If another party’s conduct results in injuries, filing a claim gives you the chance to recover economic and non-economic damages. To have the best chance of winning your case, you need an attorney by your side.
At Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers, our St. Louis personal injury lawyers know how difficult this process can be and how much stress you’re under. You should not pursue these claims on your own. Instead, contact our team to schedule a free consultation at (636) 519-0085. We will listen to your story and help you tailor the best legal strategy for your situation.