According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were over 65,067 car accidents in 2018, resulting in 17,853 injuries.
Of those injuries, you can be sure that many of them were traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The CDC reports that car accidents are the leading cause of TBI-related hospitalizations. We’re just beginning to understand the long-term consequences caused by even a mild concussion. Memory loss is one of the most common side effects of a TBI, but is often difficult to detect and can be even harder to treat.
If you think that you or someone you love is suffering memory loss after a car accident, the personal injury attorneys at Kademenos, Wisehart, Hines, Dolyk & Wright Co. LPA can help you figure out what to do next. Call us at 419-625-7770 or contact us online if you would like to schedule a free consultation with our dedicated Ohio car accident attorneys.
Symptoms of Memory Loss
Many people who have been involved in a car accident are reluctant to admit that they may be experiencing memory loss. Car accidents are traumatic events that can result in anxiety, depression, and even PTSD – conditions that can mask the signs of memory loss. In addition, people often don’t want to admit that they have a serious injury. Many of us would rather believe that our symptoms are nothing to worry about and will go away in a few days.
Here are some symptoms of memory loss to look for if you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident:
- Foggy, clouded thinking
- Difficulty concentrating, unable to focus on work or other tasks
- Feeling confused and unable to organize your thoughts or memories
Seek Medical Treatment
If you’re experiencing the symptoms listed, we recommend that you seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical in preventing long-term or even permanent damage.
That said, there are a couple of challenges that are unique to memory loss. First, memory loss may not manifest itself immediately after the accident. It may be days or even weeks before you begin to experience symptoms. You may not even consider the fact that it may be an after-effect of your car accident.
Second, the symptoms are by nature mostly subjective. Unlike a broken leg or spinal injury, the injury isn’t easily identifiable and may not be observable by other people. For this reason, many victims don’t seek treatment because they doubt themselves or think no one will believe them.
Listen to your body and trust your instincts. If you are having memory difficulties, talk to your doctor. And don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion if you are unsatisfied with your doctor’s diagnosis or treatment plan.
Three Types of Memory Loss
Memory loss after a car accident can manifest itself in different ways in different people. It may, therefore, be helpful to review the three basic types of memory loss suffered by car accident victims:
- Anterograde amnesia. The most common form of memory loss where the victim loses the ability to form memories for a period of time after the accident.
- Post-traumatic amnesia. This is when the victim can’t remember the time period immediately following the car accident. Post-traumatic amnesia includes both total memory loss as well as partial memory loss and general confusion.
- Retrograde amnesia. This is when the victim suffers a loss of memories that occurred prior to the car accident.
Contact an Ohio Car Accident Lawyer
With locations in Sandusky, Mansfield, Port Clinton, Vermilion, and over 70 years of experience, the car accident attorneys at Kademenos, Wisehart, Hines, Dolyk & Wright Co. LPA help accident victims across the state of Ohio. We provide dedicated, aggressive legal representation to help our clients get the compensation they deserve.
Gives us a call at 419-625-7770 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.