Car accidents on busy New York roads are not unusual, and even when those involved seem uninjured, various hidden injuries with delayed symptoms could surface. Brain injuries fall into that category, and avoiding a medical evaluation after an accident can have long-term consequences. Even if there is no penetrating brain injury, sudden movement or momentum can cause a mild or severe concussion or contusions on one or opposite sides of the brain.
Symptoms that might indicate brain injuries include headaches, exhaustion, nausea, numbness in extremities and seizures. The victim could also have impaired thinking, responses, concentration, coordination and balance abilities. Furthermore, brain injuries can cause confusion and problems dealing with emotions.
If the accident victim was unconscious for a period after the accident, it could affect the severity of other symptoms. Uneven or dilated pupils might indicate brain injuries, and the accident victim might experience sensitivity to sound and light, and low alertness levels. Brain injuries could remain hidden for weeks; if a civil lawsuit is filed, medical reports will likely be crucial to prove that the injuries were accident-related.
Victims of car accidents in New York with any of the telltale signs of a brain injury would be advised to see their physicians as soon as possible. The next step is to consult with an experienced personal injury who can assess the circumstances of the crash and determine the viability of a civil lawsuit. If a claim is filed, the lawyer can provide the necessary support and guidance in pursuit of recovery of current and future financial and emotional damages.