The short answer: Head injuries from car accidents range from mild concussions to serious traumatic brain injuries. Symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, memory problems, and loss of consciousness, can appear right away or days later, so it’s important to receive medical care quickly, both for your health and for your claim. In Tennessee, you generally have just one year from the date of the crash to file a personal injury claim.
One moment you’re driving; the next, everything is different. If you’re dealing with a pounding headache, confusion, or a memory that isn’t right after a crash, it’s frightening, and you may wonder whether something serious is going on. You’re not alone. Here’s what you need to know about a head injury from a car accident in Chattanooga.
In this article, our Chattanooga car accident lawyers discuss:
– The types of head injuries car accidents can cause.
– Symptoms of head trauma to watch for.
– Why prompt medical treatment matters.
– What a brain injury settlement may need to cover.
– Tennessee’s one-year deadline to file.
What Kinds Of Head Injuries Happen In Car Accidents?
Car accidents can cause head injuries ranging from mild to life-altering. A concussion, the most common, is a mild traumatic brain injury caused when the brain moves quickly inside the skull. More serious injuries include contusions (bruising of brain tissue), skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that affect memory, mood, and physical function. Even a “minor” bump can be worse than it looks, so no head injury should be brushed off.
What Are The Symptoms Of Head Trauma After A Car Accident?
Symptoms of head trauma after a car accident often include headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, nausea, sensitivity to light, and, in serious cases, loss of consciousness. Some appear immediately. Others, such as trouble sleeping, mood changes, or difficulty concentrating, can take hours or days to show up. That delay is one of the most dangerous parts of a head injury, because you might feel fine at first and later realize something is wrong. Take any new symptom seriously.
Why Does Prompt Medical Treatment Matter?
Seeing a doctor right away protects both your health and your claim. A prompt evaluation can catch bleeding or swelling in the brain before it turns life-threatening, and it creates a medical record linking your injury to the accident. Insurance companies often argue that any gap between the crash and treatment means the injury wasn’t serious. Getting checked out the same day and then following your treatment plan protects you on both fronts.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a head or brain injury after a crash, call 423-719-7564 for a free consultation with Dennis & Winningham.
What Should A Brain Injury Car Accident Settlement Account For?
A brain injury car accident settlement should account for far more than your first hospital bill. Depending on your situation, it may need to cover current and future medical costs, rehabilitation, lost income and reduced earning ability, and long-term or in-home care when an injury is permanent. It should also reflect pain, emotional suffering, and the ways a brain injury changes daily life. Because these effects can last, settling too early, before the full picture is clear, may leave you covering costs you didn’t expect. Every case is different.
How Long Do You Have To File A Head Injury Claim In Tennessee?
In Tennessee, you generally have only one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104. That’s much shorter than in most other states, and it’s a real problem for head injuries, which can take time to diagnose fully. A brain injury may not reveal its full severity for weeks or months, yet the clock is already running. Waiting can cost you the right to recover anything. The sooner you receive legal help, the more time there is to build a strong claim.
Frequently Asked Questions About Head Injuries From Car Accidents
Can head injury symptoms really be delayed?
Yes. Symptoms, such as headaches, memory trouble, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating, can appear hours or even days after a crash. That’s why it’s smart to be checked out right away and watch closely for new symptoms in the days that follow.
How much does it cost to talk to a lawyer?
Nothing upfront. Dennis & Winningham offers a free consultation so you can discuss your options with no obligation or pressure.
I think I waited too long. Should I still call?
Yes. Tennessee’s one-year deadline is short, but limited exceptions can apply in certain situations. The only way to know where you stand is to talk with an attorney, so don’t assume it’s too late before you ask.
Head and brain injuries are serious, and the days after a crash matter. If you or a loved one suffered a head injury in a car accident in Chattanooga or the surrounding Tennessee and Georgia area, contact Dennis & Winningham at 5751 Uptain Road, Unit 407 in Chattanooga. Call 423-719-7564 for a free consultation. Time is limited under Tennessee law, so don’t wait to protect your rights.
