Motor vehicle accidents are one of
the leading causes of head injuries in Ontario. According to a study by the
Ontario
Brain Injury Association, 40
percent of respondents sustained their brain injury as a result of an
automobile collision. If you have been involved in an accident and suffered a
head injury as a result of negligence of another party, a head injury claim
lawyer can help you with your case.
Common
Misconceptions about Head Injuries
Many people are misinformed about head
injuries, their causes and their symptoms. Some of the most common
misconceptions include:
- you must hit your
head to sustain a brain injury;
- you must be
knocked unconscious;
- symptoms of a
head injury will immediately follow your accident.
Contrary
to popular belief, even being involved in what seems to be the most minor of
collisions can result in a brain injury. When you are in a car accident, the
momentum of the collision can cause your brain to strike the front, back or sides of your skull - even if your head
never comes into contact with the window, steering wheel or any other object or
surface in your vehicle. The force of the impact of your brain hitting the
inside of your skull can cause your brain to bleed and swell.
Symptoms
Head injuries vary
in severity from bruising the skin to concussions, and fractured skulls. A
fairly minor head injury can cause long-lasting symptoms, including:
- headaches;
- vision problems;
- loss of balance;
- memory loss;
- dizziness.
Injuries caused by automobile
accidents are generally referred to as traumatic brain injuries or TBIs. A
person may show immediate signs of the injury or it may take hours, days or
even weeks after the accident for symptoms to develop. More serious head
injuries can cause permanent disability. Even if there are no visible signs of
trauma, the brain may have been jostled inside the skull from the force of
impact, causing bruising, bleeding and swelling of the brain.
A head injury may be diagnosed
immediately following an accident, but it may take time for the symptoms to
appear and for a diagnosis to be made. If
you have been in a motor vehicle accident, it is important to see a medical
professional as soon as possible to determine whether you have suffered a head
injury.
How a Head Injury Claim Lawyer Can Help
No two head injuries are alike and
head injury affects everyone differently, but they all have a life changing
impact on the lives of victims and their families. Many accident victims with
head injuries will have questions that only a skilled head injury claim lawyer
can answer.
Depending on the
scope and severity of your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for
damages such as:
- out-of-pocket expenses;
- loss of past or future
income;
- ongoing and future medical
care.
If you or a loved one has
sustained a head injury and requires legal expertise, contact an experienced
head injury
claim lawyer as soon as possible following
your accident. Your lawyer will be at
your side throughout the process, looking out for your needs and working hard
to recover compensation for you.