High stress, scary, or traumatic situations like a car accident can take a toll on your body, especially the brain. Your body’s natural line of defense in recovering from such events is to shut down. You may be more tired than normal and you may even sleep more than usual.
Hitting the snooze button may even start to become a daily habit. What you may not realize is that your daily habit of sleeping too much is a sign that you are suffering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
If you’re sleeping more than normal after a car accident, seeking medical attention should be on your primary to-do list. If you don’t take action immediately, you could be putting your legal rights in jeopardy when the time comes for you to file an auto accident claim or bring a civil case before the court.
At Zimmet & Zimmet, we’ll provide the guidance and legal advice you need for dealing with a car accident involving a traumatic brain injury.
Reasons for trouble sleeping after a serious car accident
The national research center on brain injuries known as MSKTC states that nearly 60% of people with TBI experience long-term difficulties with sleep. Not sleeping well at night can spark depression, anxiety, irritability, and affect your overall health and well-being. These symptoms can be claimed as damages in your car accident settlement, in addition to the damages for your brain.
At this moment you may be experiencing these signs of a TBI:
- Struggling to stay awake during the day
- Dreading the wake up and having a hard time starting the day
- Feeling sluggish or moving slowly the entire day
Sleep disorders after suffering a serious car accident
You may also experience these sleep disorders:
- Sleepwalking
- Insomnia: Not being able to stay asleep
- Restless leg syndrome: Constantly moving your legs because you’re uncomfortable
If this describes how your days and nights are going, we’ve created a brief guideline for you to follow. This guideline will show you what to do if you find yourself with these sleep problems after the car crash.
What to do if you’re sleeping a lot after a car accident
If you’re sleeping a lot after your car accident happens, be sure to take precautionary measures and follow these steps:
Step 1: Get evaluated by your doctor or brain specialist ASAP.
If TBI goes undiagnosed and untreated, you could become disabled or even lose your life.
The sooner you get a CT scan, get a diagnosis, and begin medical treatment for your symptoms, the sooner you can start your journey of a full recovery. In your accident case, the other driver may be responsible for paying for your medical bills.
Be sure to keep your medical bills and records to be able to show a clear relationship between the car accident and your injury, or the reason why you were sleeping so much.
Treatments for TBI may include:
- Prescribed medication
- Rehab or therapy
- Surgery to remove blood clots, repair skull fractures, and relieve pressure inside the skull.
Recovery can take months and possibly years after the injury. According to the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Recovery, 64% of TBI patients make a good recovery after 12 months.
Step 2: Save your medical records and medical bills.
Save the medical records and notes from your doctor, and any treating specialists you were referred to. This will make proving your claim easier. And your chances of getting the most for your settlement will skyrocket.
Step 3: Contact an experienced brain injury lawyer for a free consultation.
Be sure to have a conversation with an attorney who has experience with car accidents involving brain injuries or impact to your head.
Zimmet & Zimmet brain injury attorneys offer a free consultation. We can help you decide who is responsible for your TBI, where you can get treatment, and fight for a full settlement to cover the costs of this expensive injury.
During the consultation, be sure to provide us with your TBI medical records so we can give a general idea of what your case will be worth.
Sleeping a lot after a car accident in Florida? Call Zimmet & Zimmet
If you’re sleeping more and more after your car accident, tap into the 40 plus year experience of our Daytona Beach brain injury attorneys. Zimmet & Zimmet has been serving brain injury victims involved in car accidents in the state of Florida since 1975.
We’ll answer your questions about how this level of sleeping plays a factor in your potential case and provide you with quality representation when you’re ready to sue for sleeping a lot after the accident. Call us for a free consultation today at 386-255-6400 or contact us online.
