Honolulu Hawaii Concussion Injury Auto Accident Lawyer​

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A concussion can affect nearly every part of your life. After an auto accident, you may experience headaches, dizziness, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to light, disturbed sleep, anxiety, or changes in your personality. These symptoms may prevent you from working, caring for your family, driving, or enjoying the activities that were part of your normal life.

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Unfortunately, concussion injuries are not always taken seriously by insurance companies. Because a concussion may not appear on an MRI or CT scan, an insurance adjuster may suggest that the injury is minor or that your symptoms are unrelated to the collision. A knowledgeable Honolulu Hawaii concussion injury auto accident lawyer can help document the full impact of your injury and pursue the compensation you deserve.

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The Law Offices of David W. Barlow represents people who suffer concussions and other injuries in car, truck, motorcycle, moped, bicycle, pedestrian, rideshare, and other motor vehicle accidents throughout Honolulu, Oahu, and the State of Hawaii. Attorney David W. Barlow has more than 20 years of legal experience and has represented hundreds of people injured in Hawaii auto accidents.

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If you or a family member suffered a concussion in a Honolulu auto accident, contact the Law Offices of David W. Barlow for a free consultation.

You pay no attorney fees unless compensation is recovered for you.

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What Is a Concussion?

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A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury, commonly called a mild TBI. Despite the word “mild,” the symptoms and consequences of a concussion can be serious and long-lasting.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a concussion can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. It can also happen when a forceful hit to the body causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This means that you do not necessarily have to strike your head against the steering wheel, window, dashboard, or another object to suffer a concussion.

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During an auto accident, the sudden acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle may cause the brain to move or twist inside the skull. Rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, side-impact accidents, rollovers, and pedestrian accidents can all generate enough force to cause a concussion.

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A person does not have to lose consciousness to suffer a concussion. Many accident victims remain awake throughout the collision but develop symptoms several hours or days later. This delayed onset can make it easier for an insurance company to dispute the connection between the accident and the injury.

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Common Concussion Symptoms After a Honolulu Auto Accident

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Concussion symptoms vary considerably from one person to another. Some people experience immediate symptoms, while others do not recognize that something is wrong until later.

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Common physical symptoms include:

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• Persistent or recurring headaches

• Dizziness or balance problems

• Nausea or vomiting

• Blurred or double vision

• Sensitivity to light or noise

• Fatigue or lack of energy

• Ringing in the ears

• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual

• Neck pain

• Problems with coordination

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A concussion can also affect a person’s ability to think, remember, and communicate. Cognitive symptoms may include:

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• Difficulty concentrating

• Short-term or long-term memory problems

• Feeling mentally foggy

• Slower thinking or processing

• Difficulty finding the correct words

• Confusion about dates, events, or conversations

• Problems completing familiar tasks

• Reduced ability to multitask

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Some accident victims experience emotional or behavioral changes, including anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings, nervousness, frustration, or unusual emotional reactions. Family members and coworkers may notice these changes before the injured person does.

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The CDC advises that concussion symptoms may change during recovery and that some people experience symptoms for months or longer. Anyone with possible concussion symptoms should obtain appropriate medical evaluation and follow the recommendations of a qualified healthcare provider.

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Concussions Are Often Difficult to Prove

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Unlike a broken bone, a concussion frequently cannot be seen on routine medical imaging. A CT scan or MRI may be normal even though the injured person continues to experience significant headaches, cognitive difficulties, dizziness, or sensitivity to light and noise.

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Insurance adjusters sometimes rely on normal imaging to undervalue concussion claims. They may also argue that the person could not have been seriously injured because there was no loss of consciousness, no visible head wound, or relatively little damage to the vehicle.

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These arguments overlook the nature of concussion injuries. A concussion may result from the brain’s rapid movement inside the skull, and its effects can be primarily functional rather than visible on a standard scan.

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An experienced Honolulu, Hawaii concussion injury auto accident lawyer can gather evidence demonstrating that the symptoms began after the collision and have affected the client’s daily life. Medical records, witness statements, employment records, diagnostic testing, symptom journals, and testimony from family members may all help establish the seriousness of the injury.

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Medical Treatment for an Auto Accident Concussion

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If you hit your head, lost consciousness, felt confused, or developed possible concussion symptoms after a Honolulu car accident, seek medical attention promptly. Early medical care protects your health and creates an important record connecting your symptoms to the accident.

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Depending on the circumstances, concussion treatment may involve:

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• Emergency room or urgent-care evaluation

• Neurological examinations

• CT scans or MRI studies

• Follow-up care with a primary-care provider

• Evaluation by a neurologist

• Neuropsychological testing

• Vestibular therapy for dizziness and balance problems

• Vision therapy

• Cognitive rehabilitation

• Headache treatment

• Physical therapy

• Counseling or psychological treatment

• Temporary restrictions on driving, work, school, or physical activity

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It is important to attend follow-up appointments and accurately describe all your symptoms. Tell your healthcare providers about headaches, memory problems, sleep disturbances, emotional changes, dizziness, vision problems, and difficulty working—even if a particular symptom initially seems minor.

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You should also seek immediate medical attention for emergency warning signs such as a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, increasing confusion, unusual behavior, weakness, slurred speech, unequal pupils, or an inability to stay awake.

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Compensation for a Concussion Injury in Hawaii

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The compensation available in a concussion case depends on the severity and duration of the symptoms, the amount of available insurance coverage, who caused the accident, and how the injury has affected the person’s life.

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A claim may seek compensation for:

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• Emergency medical treatment

• Hospital and physician expenses

• Diagnostic testing

• Neurological treatment

• Physical, cognitive, vestibular, or vision therapy

• Prescription medication

• Future medical care

• Lost income

• Reduced future earning capacity

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Permanent cognitive or physical impairment

• Scarring or other related injuries

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A concussion may affect a person’s employment even when the job is not physically demanding. Office workers, teachers, healthcare professionals, attorneys, business owners, drivers, students, and others may struggle with computer screens, noise, concentration, memory, deadlines, or multitasking.

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A fair settlement should consider more than the initial medical bills. It should address the full effect of the concussion, including future treatment needs and the ways persistent symptoms may affect the person’s employment, family responsibilities, independence, and quality of life.

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Hawaii PIP Benefits for Concussion Treatment

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Hawaii is a no-fault auto insurance state. Most people injured in covered motor vehicle accidents first receive medical and rehabilitative benefits through Personal Injury Protection insurance, commonly called PIP.

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Hawaii auto insurance policies generally must include at least $10,000 per person in PIP benefits for medical and rehabilitative expenses, regardless of who caused the accident. Depending on the circumstances, PIP may pay for emergency care, physician appointments, diagnostic testing, rehabilitation, and other reasonable and necessary concussion treatment.

However, insurance disputes can arise over whether treatment is necessary, whether particular symptoms were caused by the accident, or whether additional care should be authorized. PIP benefits may also be exhausted before a person has completed treatment.

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Attorney David W. Barlow helps clients understand their PIP benefits, communicate with the no-fault insurance carrier, document their injuries, and identify other available sources of compensation.

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Claims Against the At-Fault Driver

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Hawaii’s no-fault system does not necessarily prevent an injured person from pursuing a claim against the driver who caused the collision. Depending on the medical expenses and seriousness of the injury, an accident victim may be permitted to pursue compensation beyond PIP benefits.

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Concussions can present special issues because the symptoms may be severe even though the injury is not readily visible. Establishing a claim may require detailed medical documentation and evidence showing how the concussion has affected the person’s ability to work and function normally.

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Hawaii also follows a modified comparative-negligence system. If the injured person is partially responsible for the accident, compensation may be reduced according to that person’s percentage of fault. Insurance companies may therefore attempt to shift blame even when their insured was primarily responsible.

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A Honolulu concussion injury lawyer can investigate the collision, obtain available evidence, address allegations of comparative negligence, and present a claim against the responsible driver’s insurance company.

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Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

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Some drivers in Honolulu have no insurance or carry liability limits that are inadequate to compensate a person with a serious concussion. In these situations, uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist coverage may provide an additional source of recovery.

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UM coverage may apply when the responsible driver has no insurance or when the injury results from a qualifying hit-and-run accident. UIM coverage may apply when the at-fault driver has insurance, but the available liability limits are insufficient.

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Coverage may potentially be available through more than one policy, including a policy issued to the injured person or a resident family member. These claims frequently involve complex policy language, notice requirements, settlement procedures, offsets, and arbitration provisions.

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The Law Offices of David W. Barlow investigates all potentially available insurance coverage rather than limiting a claim to the first policy identified.

Evidence That Can Strengthen a Concussion Claim

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Strong documentation is especially important in a concussion injury case. Helpful evidence may include:

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• Police reports

• Photographs of the vehicles and accident scene

• Dash-camera or surveillance footage

• Statements from witnesses

• Ambulance and emergency room records

• Neurological and cognitive testing

• Records documenting consistent symptoms

• Employment and wage records

• School records

• A daily symptom journal

• Statements from family members, friends, or coworkers

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A symptom journal can help document headaches, dizziness, sleep problems, memory difficulties, missed work, medication use, medical appointments, and activities you can no longer perform. The entries should be accurate and made regularly rather than exaggerated.

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Social-media activity can also affect an injury claim. Insurance companies may examine public posts and photographs in an effort to argue that the claimant is less impaired than reported. Avoid discussing the accident, your symptoms, negotiations, or legal claim on social media.

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How a Honolulu, Hawaii Concussion Injury Auto Accident Lawyer Can Help

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Handling a concussion claim while coping with headaches, fatigue, memory problems, and medical appointments can be overwhelming. Attorney David W. Barlow can manage the legal and insurance issues while you concentrate on your recovery.

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Our firm can:

• Investigate how the accident happened

• Collect police reports and other evidence

• Communicate with insurance adjusters

• Help coordinate Hawaii PIP benefits

• Document medical treatment and concussion symptoms

• Calculate lost income and other damages

• Identify liability, UM, and UIM coverage

• Obtain and organize medical records and bills

• Prepare a detailed settlement demand

• Negotiate for fair compensation

• File a lawsuit or pursue arbitration when appropriate

• Protect your claim against insurance-company tactics

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Attorney David W. Barlow personally works with clients and explains each stage of the claim in understandable terms. Our practice focuses on auto accident injuries, allowing us to understand the insurance and medical issues that frequently arise in Hawaii concussion cases.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Honolulu Concussion Claims

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Can I have a concussion without hitting my head?

Yes. A forceful collision can cause the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth even without direct impact. This movement may cause a concussion.

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Can I have a concussion if I never lost consciousness?

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Yes. Most concussions do not require a loss of consciousness. Symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, memory problems, confusion, light sensitivity, and difficulty concentrating may still indicate a concussion.

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What if my CT scan or MRI was normal?

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Normal imaging does not automatically rule out a concussion. CT and MRI scans are generally used to identify structural injuries or bleeding, but many concussion-related changes are not visible on routine imaging.

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What if my concussion symptoms started the next day?

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Concussion symptoms can be delayed or may become more noticeable after the initial shock of the accident subsides. Seek medical attention and explain when each symptom began.

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How much is a Honolulu concussion case worth?

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There is no standard settlement amount. Case value depends on the duration and seriousness of the symptoms, medical treatment, lost income, future limitations, liability evidence, and available insurance coverage.

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How much does it cost to hire your firm?

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The Law Offices of David W. Barlow handles auto accident injury cases on a contingency-fee basis. There are no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

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Contact a Honolulu, Hawaii Concussion Injury Auto Accident Lawyer

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A concussion is a real brain injury, even when other people cannot see it. You should not have to face an insurance company alone while struggling with headaches, dizziness, memory problems, anxiety, or difficulty concentrating.

If you or someone you love suffered a concussion in a car, truck, motorcycle, moped, pedestrian, bicycle, rideshare, or other auto accident, contact the Law Offices of David W. Barlow. We represent injured clients throughout Honolulu, Oahu, and the Hawaiian Islands.

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Call 808-354-0464 for a free consultation with Honolulu, Hawaii concussion injury auto accident lawyer David W. Barlow. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You pay no attorney fees unless we obtain compensation for you.