When Your Indianapolis Accident Results in a Concussion
When you’ve been in an Indianapolis accident and have suffered blunt force trauma to the head, you may be in jeopardy of a minor traumatic brain injury known as a concussion. The severity of a concussion is betrayed by its commonality, so if you have sustained one in an accident that was not your fault, an Indiana car accident lawyer can meet with you to discuss your options for seeking compensation that may be rightly owed to you for your injury.
Although a concussion is typically not a life-threatening injury, the ramifications can last weeks, months, or longer.
After a Concussion from an Indianapolis Accident
If you have suffered a concussion, it’s crucial that you first seek medical attention. A doctor may perform some tests to discover the severity of your concussion and check for bleeding on the brain. Failing to seek treatment will work against you in the event that you are eligible for a Indianapolis personal injury claim. The insurance company or at-fault party will allege your injuries are not serious if you don’t have them attended to shortly after your Indianapolis accident.
Concussions are considered common and mistakenly assumed to be less serious, a misconception that insurance companies take advantage of by attempting to minimize the severity of concussions and other traumatic brain injuries.
Additionally, because the real damage of a concussion is hidden from view, it is a less physically gruesome or visually compelling injury than, for instance, an open wound or broken limb. Because the insurance companies will try to capitalize on these facts, you must seek medical attention to create a permanent medical record of your injury. Be sure to detail the symptoms of your pain to the doctors or nurses, as they will record this in your file.
Recovering from a Concussion after an Indianapolis Accident
If you have sustained a concussion, there are a few activities that you should avoid, such as those that may increase your heart rate or require focused attention, such as:
- Sports or strenuous activities
- Jogging or running
- Prolonged walking
- Watching television
- Playing video games
- Excessive text messaging
- Working on a computer for long hours
These activities can aggravate the strained conditions of a concussion and cause further injury and prolonged recovery time.
A common symptom of a concussion is headaches, which can be treated with acetaminophen pain relievers such as Tylenol, but you should avoid pain killers containing aspirin or ibuprofen, such as Motrin or Advil.
Many people believe that someone who has experienced a blow to the head must not be allowed to fall asleep. This is not the case. You do not need to keep someone who has had a blow to head awake. Particularly in the case of children who often become emotionally distressed and will cry after accidents or injuries, it may be of more use for the emergency doctor to wake the patient when he or she is calm, allowing for a better assessment of the injury.
If a patient cannot be awakened or is very difficult to wake up, a more serious injury may exist. This requires immediate medical attention. This is one of the reasons why a thorough medical exam is critical after an auto accident.
Contact an Indiana Car Accident Lawyer
Any kind of injury is frustrating, but a head injury can be exceptionally interfering in your life. More stressful is when your Indianapolis accident is the result of someone else’s negligence. If you’ve been injured, contact an Indianapolis car accident lawyer.
After sustaining a concussion in an Indianapolis accident, be sure to speak with an Indiana car accident lawyer who is familiar with car accident injury claims. If the accident that caused your injury was the result of another driver’s recklessness or negligence on the road, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering.