It is estimated that approximately 3 million Americans are injured in car accidents every year. As we come to understand the potential severe long-term consequences of even a mild concussion, researchers are beginning to look more closely at traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in the context of car accidents. According to the CDC, car accidents were the leading cause of TBIs that resulted in death for people between 5 and 24 years old. For people between the ages of 15 and 44, car accidents were the leading cause of TBI-related hospitalization. Memory loss is one of the most common effects of a traumatic brain injury, but can also be one of the most challenging to deal with.
If you’ve been in a car accident and believe you are now suffering from memory loss, contact the traumatic brain injury attorneys at The Krist Law Firm, P.C. Our lawyers can evaluate your case, explain your options, and help you get the treatment and compensation you need.
Call us at 281-283-8500 today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
The Challenges of Memory Loss
Any injury sustained in a car accident can be quite serious and require extensive medical treatment. Thankfully, injuries such as broken bones are easily identified and the plan of treatment is well-established. Other injuries, however, aren’t always immediately apparent, and may not manifest themselves for days or even weeks to come. In some cases, the victims don’t even realize that the symptoms they are experiencing may have been caused by their accident.
Memory loss can be one of those injuries that aren’t immediately apparent. Because the symptoms are often subjective, it can be very difficult to get a diagnosis or treat it effectively. However, memory loss can have a severe impact on your life – it can limit your ability to work and be a significant challenge in your daily life.
Understanding Memory Loss
Traumatic brain injuries can affect different people in different ways, especially when you consider the multiple forces at work in a car accident that can lead to a TBI. As a result, it’s important to understand that there are different forms of memory loss.
- Anterograde amnesia. This is the most common form of memory loss following a car accident. The victim loses the ability to form memories for a period of time after the accident.
- Post-traumatic amnesia. This is when the victim is suffering a loss of memory of the time immediately following the car accident. It does not necessarily need to be a total loss of memory – it is often manifested as a state of confusion.
- Retrograde amnesia. This is when the victim suffers a loss of memories prior to the TBI.
Again, these issues may not be obvious right away. To make matters worse, many victims are reluctant to admit that they are suffering from memory loss – they want to believe that they are fine and that it will go away in a few days. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to preventing long-term damage.
Symptoms of Memory Loss
Memory loss isn’t always easy to identify, especially for the victim. Feelings of anxiety and depression can mask the symptoms, and the trauma of the accident may leave them unwilling to talk about it. Here are some warning signs to look for if you or a loved one has been in a car accident:
- Clouded or foggy thinking
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling confused, unable to organize your thoughts and memories
Traumatic brain injury and memory loss are nothing to be ashamed of. Don’t risk permanent injury – see you doctor as soon as possible.
Contact a Houston Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
If you’re suffering as a result of a car accident and not sure where to turn, contact the personal injury attorneys at The Krist Law Firm, P.C. Our lawyers have extensive experience handling cases for clients suffering from memory loss or other traumatic brain injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. We can evaluate your case, help you understand your options, and coordinate treatment and the claims process. More importantly, we know how to get you the compensation you need to fully recover.
Don’t jeopardize your future – call us at 281-283-8500 or contact us online in order to schedule a free consultation.