What Happens if You Fall Unconscious During a Brooklyn Car Accident?

One minute you’re driving down the street in Brooklyn, the next minute you’re regaining consciousness in a hospital bed. What just happened? How do you determine the extent of your injuries? How can you find out what (or who) caused your crash? These are common and valid questions for car accident survivors, and an experienced car accident attorney in Brooklyn may be able to help answer them.

The Legal Implications of Auto Accident Comas

After you regain consciousness, you may want to determine exactly how much time has passed since the crash. Although this might come as a disturbing revelation, you may have been in a comatose state for several years after the crash. If this is the case, you can still file a valid car accident claim and recover compensation.

Although the statute of limitations normally prevents you from suing many years after your accident, this “legal time limit” only applies after you become aware of your injuries. You become aware of your injuries from the moment you regain consciousness, so a car accident claim is still possible.

Determine the Extent of Your Injuries

Your next step should be to learn more about your injuries. If you cannot remember the crash, there is a good chance you have suffered some kind of traumatic brain injury (TBI). If you haven’t already, request adequate testing for potential brain bleeds and other TBI complications. These tests could save your life, and it is important to determine the severity of your brain injury as soon as possible.

You may have regained consciousness after a surgical procedure. If this is the case, you should request a follow-up with your surgeon. Usually, doctors are required to carry out these follow-ups. However, you may have to demand this meeting. Your surgeon should be able to tell you more about the injuries you sustained during the car accident and what your prognosis might be.

File a Police Report

Once your condition stabilizes and you have a clear understanding of your injuries, you might want to file a police report. Tell them your license plate number and as much as you can remember about the moments leading to the crash. A police report should already exist, but it doesn’t hurt to make sure.

Key Takeaways 

• You can file a claim after you regain consciousness, regardless of how many years you have been comatose
• You should check in with your doctors and ask for follow-ups to determine the severity of your injury
• Both police investigators and car accident attorneys may be able to help you learn more about the circumstances of your accident

Can a Brooklyn Car Accident Attorney Help Me Find Answers?

If you regained consciousness in a hospital and you have absolutely no idea how your car accident occurred, consider speaking with a personal injury attorney in Brooklyn. You might also want to call the police and officially report your accident. Finally, you should follow up with your doctors to learn more about any injuries you sustained during the crash. Consider reaching out to Cohan Law, PLLC as soon as you are able.

Source: 

hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/traumatic-brain-injury