Making an Injury Claim for a Head Injury After an Accident in Georgia

Head injuries from an accident in Georgia can range from minor to disabling or fatal. Some head injuries are easy to see with the eye, while others are completely internal.

They can also result in brain damage, cognitive impairment, mental disorders, behavior changes, and memory loss. If you or a loved one suffered a head injury from a Georgia accident someone else caused, it’s important to seek financial recovery as soon as you can.

The main causes of both head injury and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are car and truck accidents, while the leading cause of TBI alone is slip and fall accidents. However, any sort of accident can cause these types of injuries. To make an injury claim for any head injury after an accident, you’ll need to understand the symptoms and available damages involved.

Common Symptoms of a Head Injury After an Accident

Serious brain and head injuries can be incredibly complex. Symptoms can take days or even weeks to fully show up after the accident, so it can be hard to know the severity of a head injury immediately. That’s why it’s so important to watch a head injury closely and note all symptoms and changes.

Common head injury symptoms include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Anxiety or depression
• Personality changes
• Trouble speaking or seeing
• Confusion or seeming “far off”
• Loss of consciousness
• Numbness in certain body parts

While these symptoms are not exclusive to a head injury, they may be an indication of damage after a collision, especially if you already suspect head injuries. In any case, you should see a doctor immediately after the accident and tell them of any symptoms you notice.

Liability for Head Injury Costs After an Accident

You will need to file a personal injury claim against the person or party who was negligent in your accident. To do so, you will need evidence of the accident, their liability, that your head injury resulted from the accident, and the costs of treating that injury.

It’s best to contact a Georgia personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the accident, as they can help you get started building a successful claim and accounting for all damages. They may also be able to help you see the right experts when it comes to diagnosis and/or treatment of your head injury.

Calculating Damages in a Georgia Head Injury Claim

Treatment can take months, years, or be indefinite if there is irreparable damage from a head injury. As a result, medical care costs can be catastrophic—which is why it’s so important to seek financial recovery if there’s even a chance the accident wasn’t your fault. In your injury claim for a head injury, you’ll need to include all resulting damages.

Keep track of all medical bills and expenses, such as:

• Doctor visits
• Hospital stays
• Tests
• Prescription medications
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation

Since head injuries are rarely cured in one treatment, you’ll likely have ongoing medical costs. You will want clear documentation of all expenses you face—now and in the future. This is something else your personal injury lawyer can help with.

Types of Personal Injury Claims for a Head Injury

There are a few main situations where you might make an injury claim for a head injury:

1. Personal Injury Claims or Lawsuits

A personal injury claim is the most common method of seeking financial recovery for a head injury after an accident. There will need to be evidence that someone else’s negligence (or carelessness) contributed to the accident and your injury. If they are found to be more than 50% at fault for your accident, you are entitled to seek recovery.

In most cases, you will make a claim with the at-fault person’s insurance company. If you were hurt in a car accident, for example, you could file a claim with their auto insurer. If a settlement cannot be reached or your claim is rejected, you may pursue a lawsuit for your damages.

2. Workers Compensation Cases

If you sustained your head injury at work, you probably have a worker’s compensation case on your hands. In this case, you would file a claim with your employer’s workers comp carrier, not your employer directly. You may also be required to select from a list of physicians under the worker’s comp policy in order to receive compensation for your treatment.

3. Violent or Criminal Cases

Sometimes, head injuries result from assault or other forms of violence against you. These are serious personal injury cases, and you should act quickly by contacting a Georgia personal injury lawyer and keeping track of all evidence. You may also be able to seek punitive damages as punishment for the wrongdoer who hurt you.

Need Help With Your Head Injury Claim?

Personal injury claims involving head injuries can be particularly complex and confusing. Besides incredible medical costs and other damages, you might not be in your right mind enough to handle all the details. At John Foy & Associates, our compassionate and experienced lawyers can help. We’ve been representing injury victims for 25+ years, and we know what it takes to win cases.

To schedule a FREE consultation and discuss the details of your head injury case, contact us here.