Can a Minor Car Accident Cause a Concussion?

Even in a minor car accident, you are at risk for a concussion. You don’t need to suffer a hard impact to your head to suffer a brain injury. 

If you’ve sustained a concussion in a minor car accident, our team of car accident lawyers in Atlanta can help you. Read on to learn about what to do after suffering a concussion in a minor car accident and the compensation you can recover.

How do Concussions Happen in a Minor Accident?

A concussion is caused by the brain rapidly shaking inside the skull upon impact or sudden movement. This can happen even if your head is not directly struck. Some common ways a minor collision could lead to concussion include:

• Whiplash effect: The back-and-forth snapping motion of the neck during a crash sets the brain in motion within the skull, which can be concussive.
• Airbag deployment: The force of an airbag inflating puts sudden pressure on the head, which the brain experiences as impact.
• Unrestrained passengers: People not wearing seatbelts are more prone to hit interior surfaces or be thrown around the vehicle during a minor crash.
• Risk demographics: Children and older people are more susceptible to concussions due to their developing or aging brains and smaller neck muscles.

What to Do After a Minor Car Accident that Resulted in a Concussion

If you’ve been in a minor fender-bender-type car accident and suspect you may have sustained a concussion, you need to take several important steps after the accident. These steps include:

• Get medical attention right away: Don’t downplay possible concussion symptoms just because the accident seemed minor. Have a doctor evaluate you.
• Write down details of the accident: Note when symptoms like headaches started. Documenting this helps prove the concussion was caused by the accident.
• Report the accident to your insurance company: Provide documentation of your concussion diagnosis and treatment to your insurance company as well as the other drivers.
• Rest and avoid strenuous activities: Returning to work or school or doing high-energy activities too soon can prolong recovery.
• Consult a car accident lawyer: Even minor accidents require proper legal representation to make sure your medical costs are covered and you recover compensation.

Follow up with your doctor as directed. Lingering concussion issues may require ongoing treatment or documentation for your case.

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer in Atlanta Help You After a Concussion?

After you’ve suffered a minor car accident in Atlanta that resulted in a concussion, our Atlanta car accident attorney can help you handle the aftermath. Some of the things we can help you with include the following:

• Negotiating with the insurance company
• Recovering damages, you’re eligible for
• Gathering evidence to prove the liable party
• Helping you file a personal injury claim
• Giving legal advice

How Long do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim for a Minor Car Accident?

According to Ga. Code § 9-3-33, you have two years from the car accident date to file a personal injury claim. However, if possible, you should file your claim as soon as possible. The sooner you file your claim, the better chance you have of recovering the full compensation amount.

If you fail to sue for your concussion on time, you risk your case being dismissed and being ineligible to recover any compensation. To avoid missing out on compensation, you can get in touch with one of our car accident attorneys in Atlanta. We can give you a free consultation to determine how long you have to file. 

How do Car Accident Lawyers Prove a Concussion Was Caused by the Accident?

Proving that a concussion resulted from a specific car accident rather than some other cause can help victims receive appropriate medical costs and compensation. Our experienced car accident attorneys utilize several strategies to demonstrate causation, such as: 

• Obtaining police reports, photos, and crash data to reconstruct accident details and impact forces on occupants.
• Securing medical records showing examination and treatment timeline matched concussion symptoms reported.
• Hiring expert witnesses like biomechanical engineers and neurologists to analyze accident forensics and opine on injury causation.
• Taking victim testimony on positioning in the vehicle, details of impact, and the onset of symptoms like headache or confusion.
• Comparing injuries to your prior medical history to rule out preexisting or alternative causes.
• Differentiating concussion severity from minor accident physics versus more serious collisions.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Minor Car Accident in Georgia?

In a minor car accident where you’ve suffered a concussion, you are eligible to recover compensation. Some of the damages our Atlanta car accident lawyers can help you recover include:

• Medical expenses: This covers all costs associated with reasonable and necessary medical treatment for injuries from the crash, including doctor visits, hospital care, physical therapy, and prescriptions.
• Lost wages: If the accident caused you to miss time from work, you can claim lost income during recovery and missed promotions or raises.
• Property damage: Damages to your vehicle, personal items, or other property involved in the collision are recoverable.
• Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional suffering like ongoing pain, disability, stress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Loss of consortium: If the accident impacted family relationships and duties, this damage type applies.
• Punitive damages: In rare cases of reckless driving, additional damages may be awarded for punishment and deterrence.

Learn More About How a Minor Car Accident Can Cause a Concussion

If you’ve been in a minor car accident and suffered a concussion, our car accident lawyer in Atlanta is ready to help prove the liable party’s negligence. We can build a strong case for you and help you recover the compensation you qualify for. 

Contact us today to learn more about how our team of car accident attorneys in Atlanta can help you.