Millions of people sustain a concussion each year in the United States. Concussions are a mild form of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a type of injury that affects the way in which the brain normally functions. The complications associated with sustaining a TBI can last from a few days to years or even decades after an injury, so it is important to ensure that you do everything possible to protect your health and your legal rights if you believe that you have sustained a concussion in a preventable accident. Below are some of the steps that concussion victims should take in the hours and days following an accident.
Get Evaluated by a Medical Professional
Many people are under the mistaken impression that everyone who sustains a concussion loses consciousness. This is absolutely not the case, and many people who are concussed are not even aware of the fact that they have sustained a serious injury. Because every concussion requires medical attention, it is important that anyone who has sustained head trauma is evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible after the accident occurs.
Record Information About Your Accident and the Way it Has Affected Your Life
This step should always occur after you seek medical attention or ensure that emergency medical personnel are on their way. It is important to make notes and collect information about the way in which your accident occurred, as memories can fade and evidence can get lost or be destroyed. The information you gather will be very dependent on the type of accident in which you were involved – for example, if you were involved in a car accident, you should collect information about the other drivers involved in the accident, their vehicle license plate numbers, the weather conditions at the time of the accident, and insurance policy information. If, on the other hand, you sustained a concussion in a slip and fall accident, you should try and take pictures of the area in which you slipped and fell and obtain a copy of any incident report that may have been generated.
Victims should also make detailed notes about the way in which their injuries have affected their day to day life. For example, if you suffer headaches or sleep disturbances after your concussion, write down each time they occur. Doing so can help establish damages and can have a significant impact on the amount of compensation you recover.
Retain an Attorney
Retaining a qualified lawyer is an essential step in ensuring that you recover compensation after a concussion. An attorney will fully investigate your case and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. If the insurance company handling your claim is unwilling to provide a reasonable settlement offer, your lawyer will file a lawsuit in order to ensure that you receive the full and fair value of your claim.
Call The Casper Firm Today To Discuss Your Case With A Baltimore Concussion Attorney
If you have sustained a concussion in an accident that you believe was caused by another person, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. In many instances, you will be able to recover financial compensation for your losses, which can include medical bills, lost income, loss of quality of life, and physical and emotional pain and suffering. To speak with an experienced Baltimore brain injury lawyer, call our office today at 888-387-3878.
