A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the worst types of injuries you can suffer after an accident and the number of incidents is rising. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of emergency department visits related to TBI increased by 53% between 2006 and 2014. A TBI is very serious and you'll want to speak with a personal injury attorney quickly.

Do Seek Medical Treatment

Head injuries may be more serious than you might think. You will need an evaluation from a medical professional, and you may suffer from the following symptoms:

• Drowsiness
• Headaches
• Sensitivity to sound and light
• Memory loss
• Nausea

Visiting a medical doctor is one of the only actions you should take before speaking with a personal injury attorney. Then, you'll have medical records to support your claim.

Don't Forget Your Medical Records

Speak with your personal injury attorney about any records you may need. Hospitals and medical care providers can provide you with HIPAA-compliant forms to fill out so they may release your medical records. Your personal injury attorney will be able to assist you in obtaining records and will help you obtain relevant records that will reduce the odds that an insurance provider will deny your claim.

Do Participate in the Investigation

While your personal injury attorney will be largely responsible for the investigation, you should ask about what information the attorney needs. You may need to meet with an expert recommended by your personal injury attorney. Listen to your attorney's recommendations and avoid talking about aspects of your case if that is what they advise. Ask your attorney about whether they believe that your case might go to trial. Also, continue to comply with your doctor and follow their instructions.

Don't Use Social Media Recklessly

Social media has several advantages during a personal injury case. You may use social media to track down witnesses who may have seen your accident. However, anything you say on social media can be used against you. Therefore, you should:

• Limit social media use
• Share posts with your personal injury attorney before making them public
• Set your social media accounts to private

Be cautious about what you post. For example, if you play a contact sport and post photos of the event on social media, the posts may indicate that you are not as injured as you claim. These posts may be used as evidence against you. 

By taking the right steps, you will be more likely to receive full compensation for your injuries. To learn more, talk to a personal injury attorney.