Can You Get Retrograde Amnesia from a Bad Car Accident​?

Retrograde amnesia refers to a sufferer’s inability to recover memories before the incident that caused their amnesia, such as a car accident. The impact of this form of loss can be immense, and early diagnosis and treatment are key. If you’ve suffered retrograde amnesia – or any other serious injury – as a result of another driver’s negligence, you need the skilled legal counsel of an experienced Georgia car accident attorney in your corner.  

Contact the law firm of Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., and schedule your free consultation now.

Retrograde Amnesia

Amnesia is categorized into two primary types:

• Anterograde amnesia, in which sufferers can’t capture new memories but retain memories from the past
• Retrograde amnesia, in which sufferers can’t pull up memories from the past

Amnesia can be caused by disease, infection, or the physical trauma of an accident, such as a car accident. In fact, the impact of an accident doesn’t have to be especially severe to result in a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can cause retrograde amnesia.

The Answer to Can You Get Retrograde Amnesia from a Bad Car Accident​ Is Yes

Head injuries are very closely associated with car accidents, and a serious car accident can lead to serious head injuries that cause memory concerns, such as retrograde amnesia. The impact of this brand of injury can be immense in terms of both financial and emotional loss. 

To make matters that much more serious, victims of retrograde amnesia may not experience recognizable symptoms to begin with. In fact, brain injuries that affect memory are as dangerous as they are unpredictable, and some aren’t diagnosed until a considerable amount of time has passed. 

If you’ve been involved in a car accident – even if you don’t think you were seriously injured and even if the accident itself wasn’t particularly serious – seeking immediate medical attention is always advised. The direct correlation between early diagnosis and improved health outcomes is too serious to ignore. 

The Warning Signs

Can you get retrograde amnesia from a bad car accident? Yes, you can, and some of the primary warning signs include:

• Having difficulty multitasking or performing tasks that once came easily to you
• Being unable to process new information or to follow simple instructions 
• Feeling fatigued
• Experiencing increased sensitivity to light or cold
• Having headaches or migraines
• Being nauseated 
• Experiencing increased anxiety or irritability   

If any of these symptoms strike a chord with you post-accident, it’s time to seek medical attention.

Your Losses

The losses you experience in the wake of a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence can be immense, and if you have retrograde amnesia, your recovery can be especially challenging. Basic categories of loss include each of the following:

• Property damage to your vehicle and its contents
• Your medical bills, including ongoing healthcare needs
• Your lost income, which can be directly affected by memory loss
• Your physical and emotional pain and suffering, which can be greater than your other losses combined

Retrograde amnesia can interfere with your ability to do your job, which relies heavily on your experience and memories. This can be compounded by the stress associated with having difficulty organizing your thoughts and coping with a diminished sense of self in the face of lost memories. 

Discuss Your Claim with an Experienced Georgia Car Accident Lawyer Today

The accomplished Georgia car accident attorneys at Jonathan R. Brockman dedicate their imposing practice to fierce advocacy on behalf of our valued clients and we welcome the opportunity to also serve you. For more information about what we can do to help, please don’t delay in contacting us online or calling us at 770-205-8887 to schedule a free consultation today.