Can a Car Accident Cause Memory Loss?

doctor showing mri brain scan

Most car accidents happen suddenly and without warning, leaving victims scared and confused in their immediate aftermath. Some victims, however, continue to suffer confusion—and even memory loss—long after an auto accident. In this article, we examine how memory loss affects some people following a car accident.  

Is Memory Loss Following a Car Accident Normal?

Immediately following an auto accident, victims often find themselves wondering what happened. Although it’s normal for car accident victims to be confused immediately following a crash, it’s not normal to suffer total memory loss. Individuals who suffer memory loss following a car accident should seek immediate medical attention. The loss of memory could be an indication of a serious brain injury. The early diagnosis and treatment of a head injury following a car crash is critical in preventing permanent brain damage. 

Car Accidents and Traumatic Brain Injury

Memory loss following a car accident could be a symptom of a medical condition known as a traumatic brain injury. A traumatic brain injury is a debilitating injury that results from some sort of trauma to the head region. Approximately 1.7 million Americans suffer from traumatic brain injuries every year, and over 70,000 of these people experience long-term disabilities as a result.

If a victim is unable to remember his or her car accident, then he or she may also be unable to recall other memories. Short-term and long-term memory loss can have a number of negative effects on a person’s daily life, making it important to seek prompt medical attention as soon as symptoms of memory loss present themselves. 

Types of Memory Loss

There are three primary types of memory loss: anterograde amnesia, post-traumatic amnesia, and retrograde amnesia. The most common type of memory loss is anterograde amnesia. This type of amnesia can cause victims to lose all memories of events that occur in their lives following a car accident. Post-traumatic amnesia is a condition in which accident victims can’t remember what happened immediately following a car accident. Finally, retrograde amnesia occurs when victims lose memories that were formed before a car accident.

When to Seek Medical Help

If you’ve experienced any of the symptoms below, you should seek immediate medical attention:

  • Foggy and clouded thinking
  • Inability to focus on work 
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Confusion 
  • Inability to organize your thoughts or memories

Hire a Pensacola Car Accident Attorney  

If you’ve been injured in a Florida automobile accident, Staples, Ellis + Associates, P.A., are here to help. Our Pensacola car accident attorneys have over seventy years of combined experience helping auto accident victims in Northwest Florida. When you come to us for help, we’ll do everything in our power to ensure that you obtain financial compensation for your injuries. Please contact us today to arrange a free consultation with one of our talented personal injury attorneys.

Posted in: Auto Accidents