Injuries sustained in a car crash can be long-lasting, none more so than brain injuries. Recently, Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers represented a woman who suffered a concussion in a rear-end collision in Hampton Roads.
The single mother was lawfully stopped with her eight-year-old daughter when a drunk driver operating a pickup truck slammed into the back of the woman’s car. The drunk driver was at the wheel of a pickup owned by his employer.
Although the property damage to the woman’s car was minimal she suffered a concussion and lingering neuropsychological symptoms that affected her work and parenting. The single mother suffered from a mild traumatic brain injury and ongoing neck pain. The pickup driver pleaded guilty to a DUI.
The driver’s employer attempted to claim the driver was not acting in the course of his employment when the accident took place after working hours. Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, an employer may be sued for the actions of an employee when they occur during their employment.
Lawyers for the defendant also questioned the woman’s claims she suffered continuing ongoing and cognitive issues from the rear-ender.
Attorneys John Cooper and Griff O’Hanlon filed a lawsuit in Chesapeake Circuit Court. The case settled before the trial at a mediation hearing for $700,000. The damages included $32,000 in past medical expenses.
The case illustrates how mild traumatic brain injuries often have serious consequences for people who are hurt in car, truck, or motorcycle wrecks.
How Serious Are Concussions in Car Wrecks?
The brain bounces back and forth inside the skull when you suffer a concussion in a car wreck. A concussion can cause tearing, bruising, and bleeding. The victim may suffer from dizziness, nausea, and blurry vision. People who suffer a concussion may briefly lose consciousness but this is not always the case.
People who suffer a concussion do not always realize the severity of their injury. Often symptoms like memory loss, speech impediments, vision, and balance problems show themselves later.
Always seek medical attention if you suffered a concussion. If left undiagnosed, a mild traumatic brain injury can place the car accident victim at risk of developing second-impact syndrome. This can be potentially fatal.
Symptoms of a concussion typically recede after four weeks. However, some mild traumatic brain injuries can cause problems for patients for the rest of their lives.
They may include insomnia, feelings of fatigue, memory issues, feelings of confusion, blurry vision, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light or noise, depression, and anxiety. The Mayo Clinic lists other symptoms of concussions to look out for.
Get Help from a Virginia Beach Drunk Driver Accident Attorney
The attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers represent many clients who suffer mild traumatic brain injuries in auto accidents. Please call us for a free and confidential consultation.
