Experiencing seizures after a car accident is quite worrisome, so there are steps to take to ensure that you receive reparation for your injuries.
A seizure is a burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can result from a substantial amount of head trauma. If you experienced a head injury after a car accident, it’s important to understand the warning signs of epilepsy and the steps you should take to receive compensation. Keep reading to learn more.
Epilepsy After a Head Injury
A car accident alone will not cause epilepsy, but if it results in any kind of brain trauma, you are more likely to develop seizures. VeryWell Health estimates that about ten percent of people who have suffered severe enough head trauma to be hospitalized end up having a seizure. A person is most at risk within the first few days or weeks after an accident; however, there is a slight chance that episodes can start months or years later.
Types of Seizures
There are three different classifications of seizures, as follows:
- Early post-traumatic seizure – These types of attacks happen within seven days of the brain injury. About 25 percent of these people will experience another episode in their lifetime.
- Late post-traumatic seizure – Any seizure that occurs more than a week after the trauma is considered late post-traumatic. Nearly 80 percent of these patients will experience another seizure in the future.
- Epilepsy – Epileptic patients are those who experience any degree of repeating seizures. A traumatic brain injury can result in a lifetime of epilepsy.
Symptoms of a Seizure
If you have recently been involved in a motor vehicle collision, it’s essential to understand the symptoms of a seizure. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following warning signs in you or someone else:
- “Out of body” sensations
- Tingling
- Confusion or headaches
- Loss of bodily control
- Temporary paralysis
- Loss of consciousness
- Anxiety
- Memory loss
- Cognitive impairment
- Inability to focus
- Jerking movements of the head, body, arms, legs, and eyes
A seizure typically lasts only a few seconds or minutes. Once it ends, you might feel weak or confused for several hours, but those feelings will eventually wear off.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
If you experience seizures after a car crash, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. Be sure to keep proper documentation so that you can pursue legal action against those responsible. A traumatic brain injury can have immediate and lifelong effects that you are entitled to receive compensation for, including, but not limited to:
- Loss of job or wages
- Lifestyle and health changes
- Medical expenses
- Psychological effects
Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks Personal Injury Lawyers
If you have developed seizures after a car accident that was not your fault, Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks is here to help. Our team has been representing injured victims throughout Utah for over 25 years, and we are equipped to handle all types of personal injury cases. We are experienced in utilizing medical experts, medical records, witnesses, and other resources to prove negligence in your case. Contact us today to learn more.
We have offices in Provo and South Jordan, Utah, and serve individuals and families throughout Utah Valley and Salt Lake Valley.