Tennessee Brain Injury Lawyer Helps Nashville Car Accident Victims Recognize TBI Symptoms
Have you noticed changes in your thinking, mood, or daily habits since your car accident? Even if you felt fine immediately after the crash, a traumatic brain injury can reveal itself slowly over days or weeks.
At GriffithLaw, our experienced Nashville car accident lawyers have helped residents who initially dismissed their concussion symptoms as stress or fatigue only to discover they were dealing with a serious brain injury. Understanding these warning signs could make a critical difference in your recovery and your legal claim.
Critical Warning Signs That May Signal a Brain Injury
Many car accident victims don't realize they've suffered a traumatic brain injury until days or even weeks after the crash. Recognizing these telltale concussion symptoms could mean the difference between getting proper treatment and facing long-term complications.
Memory and Concentration Problems
You're sitting at your desk, staring at a routine report you've completed dozens of times before. Suddenly, you can't remember how to start. This mental fog isn't just frustrating; it could indicate a traumatic brain injury that requires immediate medical attention.
Personality Changes and Mood Swings
Your family mentions you seem to be acting differently lately. Perhaps you are more irritable or emotional than usual. What they're noticing might not be just stress from the car accident and dealing with insurance claims. Unexpected personality shifts could signal underlying brain trauma.
Sleep Disturbances
You used to sleep soundly through the night, but now you're either sleeping too much or lying awake for hours. These changes in sleep patterns can frequently accompany traumatic brain injuries, and you must not ignore them.
Other Physical Symptoms
Persistent headaches, dizziness, or sensitivity to light and sound that develop or worsen in the days following your accident deserve immediate medical evaluation. These symptoms often indicate a concussion or more serious brain injury.
Changes in Daily Function
Simple tasks like following a recipe or balancing your checkbook suddenly feel overwhelming. This difficulty with routine activities often signals cognitive changes that may require professional assessment and treatment.
Why Acting Quickly Matters for Your Health and Legal Rights
Seeking prompt medical care serves two crucial purposes. First, early intervention can prevent complications and improve your chances of a full recovery. Your health is the top priority. Second, medical records that connect your symptoms to the accident strengthen your claim for compensation.
Several other steps can help protect your right to fair compensation:
- Gather evidence. Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and vehicle damage. Get contact information from witnesses and responding officers.
- Keep detailed records. Save all medical bills, prescription receipts, and documentation of missed work. Start a daily journal noting your symptoms and how they affect your life.
- Limit communications. Don't post about your accident on social media. Decline to give recorded statements to insurance companies without legal representation.
- Report the crash. File an accident report with local law enforcement and notify your insurance company about the incident. Give a copy of the police report to your attorney.
Understanding Brain Injury Diagnosis and Treatment
Medical professionals use several methods to diagnose and treat concussion symptoms after car accidents.
- Diagnostic tools. CT scans, MRIs, and neurological exams help determine the type and extent of brain trauma.
- Treatment options. These may include medication, cognitive therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling.
- Recovery timeline. Every traumatic brain injury is different. Some patients recover within weeks, while others need months or years of ongoing care.
Paying for Treatment During Your Claim
Financial concerns shouldn't prevent you from getting the medical care you need after a brain injury. Your health insurance may cover many initial treatment costs while your car accident claim is pending. Many medical providers understand the challenges of personal injury cases and will agree to wait for payment until your case settles.
If you're struggling with medical expenses, our firm can help you explore options like medical liens or letters of protection. We also maintain relationships with rehabilitation facilities that offer flexible payment arrangements or sliding scale fees based on your ability to pay.
How a Brain Injury Lawyer Helps Protect Your Future
Insurance companies often try to minimize brain injury claims, especially when symptoms develop gradually. They may assert your concussion symptoms aren’t related to the accident or your brain injury isn’t as severe as you claim. Insurers could pressure you to accept a quick settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries.
Our legal team counters these tactics by:
- Working with medical experts to establish clear evidence linking your injuries to the accident
- Documenting all the ways the injury affects your life, career, and relationships
- Calculating the full value of your current and future medical needs
- Creating comprehensive settlement demands that account for all your damages
- Handling all insurance company communications to protect your rights
- Building a strong case for trial if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation
Real Case Results: $1.25 Million Settlement for TBI Victim
In a recent case, our client suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident where they were thrown from their vehicle. The driver fell asleep at the wheel and over-corrected at high speed when they woke up.
By gathering valuable documentation and engaging in shrewd negotiation, our brain injury lawyers secured a $1.25 million settlement for our client, the maximum limit of the defendant’s insurance policy.