What happens if you can’t remember the details of a car accident? Fortunately, you can use photos, videos, and other evidence to demonstrate who is at fault instead of relying on just your memory. Your Orlando car accident lawyer with DKW Law can collaborate with experts and present witness statements that explain how you were hurt. Several types of memory loss can follow a car crash, each with a different effect on your claim in Florida
Why does memory loss happen after a car accident?
If you bump your head during a crash, you may experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is when your brain impacts your skull, something penetrates your skull into your brain, or your brain swells. A detailed study published in the National Library of Medicine finds that TBIs can lead to three types of memory loss:
- Retrograde amnesia: You may be unable to recall past events, forgetting people, places, and details of the crash.
- Anterograde amnesia: You can remember the past, but can’t form new memories after the accident.
- Dissociative amnesia: If you suffer extreme psychological trauma, such as watching someone get severely injured or die, your brain may block the memory as a protective measure.
Both retrograde and anterograde amnesia can be a form of post-traumatic amnesia, which can happen after any injury event. Always seek medical attention as a first step after a car accident so a doctor can determine if you’ve suffered a TBI and memory loss.
What are some signs I’m experiencing memory loss after a crash?
According to the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC), memory loss after a TBI associated with a car accident could look like the following examples:
- Forgetting when you left home or work before the crash.
- Forgetting conversations or events.
- Blanking out on what happened during the accident.
- Feeling like you woke up in the hospital without knowing how you got there.
- Being unable to describe your actions in the minutes leading up to the collision.
You may also struggle to keep track of time after you are back home and fail to recall where you left essential items, such as your keys or wallet. See your doctor for examination if you find yourself experiencing these signs of memory loss.
Does memory loss affect the success of my car accident claim?
Yes and no. It can benefit your claim if you suffer significant memory loss and it affects your ability to earn a living or lead a satisfying life. Your car accident lawyers can add these expenses to your damage demands, using medical records to support the claim. Yet, the fact that you don’t remember doesn’t have to derail your case.
Your personal injury lawyer will request the police report detailing what happened. They’ll also speak with witnesses, take photos, bring in experts, and take every action needed to build your case. The insurance company may try to deny your claim by saying your memory loss means your side of the story isn’t credible. Your attorney can negotiate firmly with them for a fair settlement by presenting the evidence.
Even if you’re dealing with memory loss after a car crash, your claim doesn’t depend on what you personally remember. Your personal injury lawyer will gather a police report, witness statements, photos, and expert testimony to reconstruct the event.
DWK Law is here to help
Fortunately, research in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) shows that most TBI patients eventually regain memory after a crash. Even if your memory hasn’t fully returned, your car accident claim doesn’t have to depend on it. If a negligent driver has hurt you or a loved one, schedule a free consultation with an Orlando car accident lawyer at DWK Law by calling (407) 244-3000 today.