Why Can't I Remember What Happened in a Car Accident?

Car accidents are a leading cause of hospital-treated memory loss cases, affecting thousands of individuals every year. Also known as memory dysfunction, memory loss is frequently caused in a crash when a victim suffers a head injury due to striking their head on a window, dashboard, or steering wheel, or if the brain is otherwise jolted within the skull. Crash configurations associated with lost memory include:

• Head-on collisions.
• Rear-end collisions.
• T-bone collisions.
• Rollover accidents.
• Pedestrian or bicycle accidents.
• Multi-car pileups.
• High-speed collisions.
• Accidents involving a commercial truck or bus.

Some common factors in car accidents that result in memory loss include the force of impact, frontal lobe damage, head trauma, whiplash, brain injury, and concussion. Additionally, the psychological trauma of being in a car accident may also contribute to memory loss and the inability to remember the car accident.

After a car accident, an individual may experience different types of memory loss, including anterograde amnesia, retrograde amnesia, and post-traumatic amnesia. Often, people are able to heal and get many of their memories and brain function back, but sometimes, the damage is more severe and there is long-term memory loss after a car accident.

• Post-Traumatic Amnesia (PTA) is a temporary loss of memory that occurs after a traumatic event, such as a car accident. During PTA, an individual may be unable to form new memories, and may also experience confusion, disorientation, and difficulty with attention and concentration. PTA can last for minutes, hours, days, or even longer.
• Anterograde amnesia is when an individual is unable to form new memories after an accident. They may remember events that occurred before the crash, but not what happened immediately after or in the days and weeks that followed.
• Retrograde amnesia is when an individual cannot remember events that occurred before the accident. This type of memory loss is less common than anterograde amnesia.

Symptoms of memory loss after a car accident can include difficulty recalling the events of the accident, forgetfulness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and short-term memory loss. Other signs include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and mood changes such as anxiety and depression. It's important for anyone experiencing these symptoms after a car accident to seek medical attention and speak with an experienced car accident lawyer to protect their rights.

For individuals with minor memory dysfunction, recollections may return on their own within minutes, hours, or days after a crash. However, for more complex cases, like brain hemorrhage and contusions, detailed testing and specialized medical attention may be necessary for improvement. In some cases, medications may be prescribed to aid in memory recovery or to alleviate symptoms such as headaches or migraines. Additionally, therapy may be recommended to help patients regain cognitive function and improve their ability to remember and process information.

In the most severe cases of memory loss, some car accident victims don't fully recover but still may be showing signs of improvement 5-10 years later. For others, the damage is permanent.

An experienced car accident lawyer who understands memory loss can help victims navigate the legal and medical aspects of their case, including seeking appropriate care.

Even if a car accident victim cannot remember the details of the crash, an experienced attorney can investigate the accident to figure out what happened and collect evidence that proves their client's case. For instance, an attorney can interview witnesses, review police reports, and gather physical evidence at the scene of the accident. In addition, the attorney can work with medical experts to establish the extent of the victim's injuries and demonstrate the impact of the accident on their life.

If you or a loved one have suffered memory loss after a car accident, don't hesitate to seek legal help. An experienced car accident attorney with a track record of success in cases involving memory loss can fight to prove the other party's fault and negotiate aggressively for maximum compensation.

Don’t wait. A statute of limitations applies to car accident injury claims and lawsuits. Contact a trusted lawyer in your area for a free consultation to get answers to your crash-related questions and an explanation of your legal options.