Do I Have a Concussion From My Car Accident?

Concussions, a type of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), are the most common of all brain injuries to happen during a car accident. Concussions can vary from mild to severe and are one of the highest leading causes of TBI-related hospital visits and death. It is important to be able to recognize and understand the symptoms and consequences of concussion, so you can be sure to get the attention you need quickly after your accident.

Will Adams Law Firm recognizes how serious concussions can be to those who suffer them during car accidents, and our experienced team of Katy, Texas car accident lawyers are here to help. In this article, we will cover what a concussion is, the symptoms, and what you should do after you receive one from experiencing a car crash.

Concussions: A Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Head injuries are common in car accidents, especially seemingly “minor” car accidents, like after getting rear-ended. What many people don’t realize is that a concussion is actually a mild traumatic brain injury. They’re that is caused by a blow to the head, which causes the brain to hit against the sides of your skull. The sudden impact causes the brain to be violently shaken inside the skull, which can cause bruising, bleeding, and tearing of nerve fibers.

Although it is common for people who suffer concussions to lose consciousness after the initial blow, a loss of consciousness is not necessarily a requirement for a concussion. Mild concussions often don’t cause a loss of consciousness and can still lead to long-term consequences if not addressed.

Symptoms of a Concussion

The symptoms of a concussion can vary, depending on how serious of a concussion you have experienced. Concussion symptoms do not always appear immediately after experiencing a head injury, even in car accidents. Many concussions symptoms aren’t obvious until hours or days after the head injury occurs.

If you or someone you love have experienced head injuries after a car crash, understand the most common symptoms of a concussion.

Common Symptoms of a Concussion After a Car Crash

A car accident is a traumatic event that can subject the human body to violent, sudden forces. One of the most common injuries sustained in these incidents is a concussion, a type of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by the brain shaking inside the skull. Because the brain is the control center for the entire body, the symptoms can be diverse, affecting everything from your physical balance to your emotional stability. Understanding these symptoms is crucial for ensuring you receive the proper medical care and support during your recovery.

Loss of Consciousness

While many people believe you must “black out” to have a concussion, this is a common misconception. However, losing consciousness for even a few seconds after a car crash is a significant indicator of a brain injury. If you do lose consciousness, it suggests that the impact was strong enough to temporarily disrupt the brain’s normal electrical activity. Whether the blackout lasts for seconds or minutes, it is a medical emergency that requires immediate evaluation to rule out more severe issues like brain bleeding or swelling.

Memory Loss Before or After the Accident

Memory issues, or amnesia, are hallmark signs of a concussion. This can manifest in two ways: retrograde amnesia, where you cannot remember the moments leading up to the crash, or anterograde amnesia, where you struggle to form new memories immediately following the event. You might find yourself asking the same question repeatedly or forgetting how you got to the hospital. This happens because the trauma disrupts the hippocampus and other areas of the brain responsible for processing and storing information.

Headaches or Worsening of Migraines

The most frequently reported symptom after a concussion is a persistent headache. For some, this feels like a dull pressure or a “tight band” around the head. For those who already suffer from migraines, a car accident can cause these episodes to become more frequent, intense, or resistant to usual medications. These “post-traumatic headaches” can start immediately or develop several days after the collision as inflammation in the brain sets in.

Trouble Sleeping and Fatigue

A concussed brain has to work significantly harder to perform basic tasks, leading to profound exhaustion. You may find yourself needing to sleep ten or twelve hours a day, yet still feeling drained. Conversely, some patients experience insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns because the injury has affected the brain’s internal clock or “circadian rhythm.” Quality sleep is the primary way the brain heals, so any significant change in sleep habits should be monitored closely.

Nausea and Vomiting

Shortly after a crash, the sudden movement of the brain can affect the vestibular system, which controls your sense of balance and spatial orientation. This often results in waves of nausea or even bouts of vomiting. While nausea can sometimes be attributed to the general shock or adrenaline of an accident, persistent vomiting is often a “red flag” symptom that indicates the brain is under significant stress and needs urgent medical attention.

Mood Changes and Irritability

Brain injuries don’t just affect how you think; they affect how you feel. It is very common for concussion patients to experience sudden shifts in mood. You might find yourself becoming angry over small inconveniences, feeling uncharacteristically anxious, or experiencing bouts of depression. These emotional changes are often neurological, meaning they are a direct result of chemical imbalances caused by the injury rather than just a reaction to the stress of the accident.

Disorientation and Confusion

In the wake of a concussion, many people describe a feeling of “brain fog.” You might feel as though the world is moving too fast or that you are viewing life through a thick veil. This disorientation can make it difficult to follow conversations, understand directions, or perform basic daily routines. This “slowness” is a sign that the brain’s processing speed has been compromised by the trauma.

Sensitivity to Light and Sound

A concussion can make the brain hyper-reactive to external stimuli. Common environmental factors like bright sunlight, fluorescent office lights, or the sound of a television can become physically painful. This is known as photophobia (light sensitivity) and phonophobia (sound sensitivity). Many patients find relief only by staying in dark, quiet rooms, which is often recommended during the initial “brain rest” phase of recovery.

Inability to Concentrate

Tasks that were once easy, such as reading a book, replying to an email, or balancing a checkbook, can become monumental challenges after a concussion. You may find your mind wandering or realize you’ve read the same paragraph five times without absorbing any information. This lack of concentration is due to the brain’s reduced ability to manage “executive functions” while it is trying to repair damaged neural pathways.

Lack of Coordination

Because the brain coordinates all muscle movements, a concussion can make you feel clumsy or “off-balance.” You might stumble while walking, have trouble picking up small objects, or experience dizziness when standing up quickly. This lack of coordination is often linked to disruptions in the inner ear and the parts of the brain that process visual and physical balance.

Out of the Ordinary Behavior

Sometimes, the person who suffered the concussion is the last one to notice the changes. Family members or friends might observe that the victim is acting “unlike themselves.” This could include being unusually quiet, acting impulsively, or losing interest in favorite hobbies. These behavioral shifts are significant indicators that the frontal lobe, which governs personality and impulse control, may have been affected.

Blurry Vision

Visual disturbances are common when the brain’s visual processing centers are disrupted. You might experience blurry vision, double vision, or find it difficult to focus on objects near or far. This can lead to secondary symptoms like eye strain and increased headaches. Because vision is so integrated with balance, these visual issues often contribute to the feeling of dizziness or lightheadedness.

Persistent Symptoms Could Be a Sign of Post-Concussion Syndrome

Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) is a condition that occurs when concussion symptoms last longer than the normal recovery time. Typically, most people begin to see a significant reduction in symptoms within about two weeks of the initial injury. However, the brain’s healing process is not always linear.

If your symptoms—such as headaches, dizziness, or cognitive difficulties—last longer than a month or two, your doctor may diagnose you with PCS. It is important to understand that PCS is not necessarily a sign of a more “severe” initial injury, but rather an indication that the brain is struggling to return to its baseline state. PCS is not uncommon, especially after high-impact events like car crashes. It is vital to be aware of your symptoms and communicate with your doctor often about your condition. Early intervention, including physical therapy or cognitive rehabilitation, can make a significant difference in long-term outcomes.

Persistent Symptoms Could Be a Sign of Post-Concussion Syndrome

Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) is a condition that occurs when concussion symptoms last longer than the normal recovery time. Typically, Post-Concussion Syndrome takes about two weeks to recover from concussion symptoms. However, if symptoms last longer than a month or two, then you doctor may diagnose you with PCS. PCS is not uncommon, so it is important to be aware of your symptoms and communicate with your doctor often about your condition.

What to Do After Suffering a Brain Injury or Concussion After a Car Crash

Serious motor vehicle accidents can be disorienting and stressful, which can leave you unsure of what to do next. It is important that you act quickly and safely after your serious car accident to ensure your health and safety.

Seek Medical Attention

Even if you do not show symptoms right away, it is important to seek immediate medical attention to see if you have a mild brain injury. When you’re in the emergency room or urgent care, insist on receiving tests to identify a potential concussion. Your primary care physician can run more in-depth tests such as MRIs or CT scans to see if you have experienced a brain injury.

Gather Evidence of Your Car Accident and Concussion Injuries

Having as much documentation as possible will not only help to strengthen your insurance claim, your injury case as well.

If safe to do so, take photos of your accident from many angles. Take down the name and contact information of the other people involved in the crash. Call the police and ask for a copy of their police report. Also, be sure to get documentation from any emergency room visits, doctor’s diagnoses, or other medical treatment.

The insurance company will require you to prove a causal relationship between your car accident and your traumatic brain injury, so make sure you get proof of that connection from your doctor. This includes medical records, medical bills, and other notes. If you need help gathering these documents, your attorney can help you collect them.

Follow Your Treatment Plan

Insurance companies will want to see proof that you are actively following your doctor’s prescribed treatment plan to grant your insurance claim. Not following your plan could be detrimental to your health and your case.

File a Claim With the Relevant Insurance Companies

Filing an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company is one way many injured people choose to recover financial compensation after a crash. However, because Texas is a no-fault state, you also have the option to file a claim with your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance policy, as well as any other parties that may have played a role in the crash, such as the manufacturer of defective brakes, or the property management company who failed to maintain a parking lot.

Call an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer

Hiring a car accident lawyer, like the team at Will Adams Law Firm, can help you navigate life after a crash. We know how to identify every source of compensation, so you don’t have to worry about paying for someone else’s mistake. Additionally, our team of experienced attorneys knows how to calculate the value of the evidence you’ve gathered so you can demand a fair settlement, can help to organize your medical bills, and navigate you through the claims process. With a legal team on your side, you can trust that someone will stand up for you and demand accountability and fair treatment.

If you or someone you love has been injured or suffered a concussion, our team is ready to hear from you. We offer complimentary consultations so you can share your story and learn about your options for free, and at no risk to you.