Memory loss after a car accident is one of the most challenging medical conditions to identify. Many people don’t want to admit that they feel confused; they want to be fine and, therefore, the condition becomes even more difficult to pinpoint. It is one of the most common effects when a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or a concussion has been diagnosed.
These are serious conditions, and you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney right away to give you advice. Forgetfulness after a car accident may be more than that; it is quite possible that instead of what may seem like “just a little forgetfulness” could actually be memory loss suffered as a result of the accident. The sooner treatment can begin, the better chances you have of being able to recover from it.
Symptoms of Memory Loss After a Car Accident
Traumatic brain injury symptoms can be difficult to diagnose immediately after a car accident. The symptoms can take a while before they manifest themselves. Often, the victim doesn’t associate his/her forgetfulness as being caused by the car accident. Even though the symptoms of memory loss after a car accident can be subjective and difficult to diagnose right away, the condition can severely impact the rest of your life.
Memory loss can inhibit your ability to continue your job or career and it can also be stressful as you try to go about your everyday life. Some warning signs to watch for include difficulty concentrating, foggy thinking, and confusion – not being able to organize your thoughts.
Other symptoms of a traumatic brain injury to be on the lookout for include:
-
Trouble multitasking
-
Difficulty finding words to speak
-
Headaches/Migraines
-
Fatigue
-
Sensitivity to light or cold
-
Nausea
-
Irritability
-
Anxiety
-
Depression
-
Nervousness
-
Insomnia
-
Ears ringing
-
Dizziness
-
Inability to remember new information
-
Can’t remember simple instructions
Different Types of Amnesia or Forgetfulness After a Car Accident
TBIs can affect people in different ways; everyone is an individual. The impact of a car accident can have significant effects on your brain as well as the rest of your body involved. The three types of memory loss most often seen due to a car accident are post-traumatic amnesia, anterograde amnesia, and retrograde amnesia.
Post-traumatic amnesia occurs when memory loss follows directly after a car accident. It can be exhibited by experiencing confusion. Anterograde amnesia is the most common type of memory loss after a car accident and showcases itself in the fact that the victim is not able to form memories for some time after a car accident. Retrograde amnesia manifests itself as the victim not being able to recall memories before the car accident happened. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical on the road to a full and complete recovery.
The speed carried by a vehicle in a car accident can do a lot of harm to a mind and body. Even if traveling at lower speeds, the impact can have significant and lasting effects. Speak to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to get the assistance you may need in getting compensation to help pay medical bills associated with the diagnosed condition. You deserve to get the help you need in your situation.