In the chaotic moments after a car accident, your first instinct is to check for obvious injuries—broken bones, bleeding, or severe pain. If you can walk away from the scene, you might feel a wave of relief and assume you are unharmed. However, one of the most common and potentially serious injuries from a vehicle crash is entirely invisible: a concussion.

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that occurs when a sudden jolt or blow causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. This impact can damage brain cells and create chemical changes in the brain. In 2020, there were approximately 214,110 hospitalizations related to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Concussion symptoms following a car accident, such as subtle "brain fog," new anxiety, or a persistent, dull headache, are frequently overlooked at the scene and even in the emergency room because they do not appear on standard X-rays or CT scans. As a result, many victims do not receive the timely care they require. Recognizing these signs is the most important step you can take to protect your health and your potential personal injury claim after a car accident.

The Mechanics of a Concussion After Collision

You do not need to hit your head on the steering wheel or window to sustain a concussion. The injury is often caused by the violent force of the crash itself. During a collision, the body comes to a sudden, violent stop. Your brain, which is soft and floats in cerebrospinal fluid, does not stop. It crashes against the hard, bony interior of your skull.

This impact can be followed by a "rebound" effect, where the brain then slams into the opposite side of the skull. This is known as a coup-contrecoup injury.

Furthermore, the powerful snapping motion of the neck during a rear-end collision—commonly known as whiplash—can be enough to cause a concussion. The rotational forces alone can stretch and damage brain tissue, disrupting normal brain function, all without any direct impact to the head.

The Challenge of Recognizing Concussion After a Car Accident

One of the most significant dangers of a post-accident concussion is the delayed onset of symptoms. At the crash scene, your body is flooded with adrenaline. This "fight or flight" hormone is a powerful painkiller that can mask even serious injuries. You might feel "fine," shaky, or just a little dazed, and you may decline medical transport.

However, as the adrenaline wears off over the next 24 to 72 hours, the true signs of the injury can begin to surface. This delay is problematic. An individual might go back to work or attempt to resume normal activities, not realizing they are operating with an injured brain. This lack of awareness can worsen the injury and complicate recovery.

Primary Concussion Symptoms After a Car Accident

Concussion symptoms are not uniform. They vary widely from person to person and can affect multiple areas of function. They are generally grouped into four categories: physical, cognitive, emotional, and sleep-related.

Signs of a Physical Head Injury

These are often the first symptoms to appear and the most noticeable. Although a headache is common, other signs usually appear.

• Persistent Headache: A persistent headache is the hallmark symptom. It may feel like a dull pressure, a throbbing pain, or a migraine. It often worsens with mental or physical effort.
• Dizziness and Balance Problems: You might feel lightheaded, unsteady on your feet, or experience vertigo, which is a sensation that the room is spinning.
• Nausea or Vomiting: Feeling queasy or becoming physically sick is a common reaction to a brain injury, especially in the early stages.
• Sensitivity to Light and Sound: Known as photophobia (light) and phonophobia (sound), this is when normal brightness levels or background noises feel intense, painful, or disorienting.
• Vision Problems: This can include blurry vision, double vision, or seeing "stars" or flashing lights.
• Fatigue or Drowsiness: A deep sense of exhaustion that feels disproportionate to your activity level. You may feel lethargic and lack energy.

Symptoms of Cognitive Head Trauma

This category of symptoms relates to your thinking and memory. For many, this is the most frustrating and frightening aspect of a concussion, often described as a "brain fog."

• Confusion and Disorientation: You may not remember the details of the accident, the date, or where you are.
• Memory Deficits: Difficulty forming new memories or recalling recent conversations. You might ask the same questions repeatedly.
• Difficulty Concentrating: Trouble focusing on a task, reading a book, or following a conversation. Your mind may wander easily.
• Slowed Processing: Feeling as though you are "thinking in slow motion." It may take you longer to understand information or formulate a response in a conversation.
• Word-Finding Difficulty: Struggling to find the right word you want to use, even if it's a common one.

Emotional and Mood-Related Concussion Signs

A concussion is a physical injury to the brain, the organ that regulates your emotions. It is very common to experience sudden and confusing changes in your mood.

• Irritability and Agitation: A "short fuse" or feeling easily angered over minor issues that would not normally bother you.
• Anxiety and Nervousness: A new or worsened feeling of being "on edge," restless, or experiencing panic.
• Depression or Sadness: Sudden feelings of hopelessness, unexplained crying spells, or a loss of interest in activities you normally enjoy.
• Mood Swings: Rapidly shifting from one emotional state to another without a clear reason.

Sleep-Related Post-Accident Concussion Symptoms

The brain's sleep-wake cycle is almost always disrupted by a concussion. This can manifest in two opposite ways.

• Hypersomnia: Sleeping much more than usual, including taking frequent naps, and still feeling exhausted.
• Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep or, more commonly, difficulty staying asleep (waking up repeatedly during the night), even when you are exhausted.

When to Seek Emergency Care: Critical Concussion Warning Signs After a Car Accident

Most concussion symptoms are not life-threatening, but they do require medical management. However, some signs indicate a much more severe injury, such as a brain bleed (hematoma) or significant swelling, which requires immediate emergency medical intervention.

If you or someone else involved in an accident exhibits any of the following red-flag symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately:

• Loss of consciousness (even for a few seconds)
• One pupil larger than the other
• A headache that gets progressively worse and does not go away
• Repeated vomiting or projectile vomiting
• Seizures or convulsions
• Slurred speech
• Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
• Increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation
• Inability to be awakened or extreme drowsiness

Why a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury After a Car Accident Is a Very Serious Matter

Concussions are often called a "mild" Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI). This term is dangerously misleading. "Mild" refers to the fact that the injury is not immediately life-threatening. It does not mean the consequences are minor.

Left untreated, a concussion can lead to serious, long-term complications.

1. Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS): For 10-20% of individuals, concussion symptoms do not resolve in the typical few weeks. Instead, they can persist for months or even years. PCS can permanently affect a person's ability to work, maintain relationships, and enjoy life.
2. Second Impact Syndrome: This is a rare but catastrophic condition. If a person sustains a second concussion before the first one has fully healed, it can trigger massive, uncontrolled brain swelling. This condition is often fatal or results in severe, permanent disability.

This is why "toughing it out" is the worst thing you can do. Resting your brain is not optional; it is the primary medical treatment for a concussion.

The Legal Relevance of Your Concussion Symptoms After a Crash

After an accident caused by someone else's negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. An insurance company will try to minimize your claim, and they are especially aggressive with "invisible" injuries like concussions.

The insurer may argue that because you lacked a visible injury and didn't go to the hospital from the scene, you must be "fine." This is why identifying and documenting your symptoms is so important for protecting your legal rights. Your headache, your brain fog, and your inability to work are all compensable damages.

The Importance of a Medical Evaluation Following a Car Accident

If you suspect you have a concussion, you must see a doctor. This is the single most important step for both your health and your potential legal claim.

• For Your Health: A medical professional can confirm the diagnosis and provide a specific recovery plan. This often involves "brain rest"—limiting physical and cognitive activities like screen time, reading, and work.
• For Your Legal Claim: This creates the official medical record that links your symptoms directly to the car accident. Without a timely diagnosis, an insurance adjuster will argue that your headache or brain fog is unrelated to the crash and will refuse to pay for your treatment or other damages.

Documenting Personal Injury Concussion Symptoms for Your Case

Because a concussion is an "invisible" injury, you must be diligent in creating a record of its effects. The most powerful tool for this is a symptom pain journal.

Every day, write down:

• What physical symptoms you are feeling (headache, dizziness, etc.), and rate their severity on a 1-10 scale.
• What cognitive symptoms you are experiencing (brain fog, memory issues).
• What emotional symptoms you are having (irritability, anxiety).
• How these symptoms impacted your day. For example: "Had to leave work early due to headache," "Forgot a doctor's appointment," or "Yelled at my kids over a minor issue."

This journal becomes undeniable evidence of your "pain and suffering" and the injury's impact on your daily life.

Explaining Head Injury Symptoms After a Car Accident to Your Attorney

When you speak to a personal injury lawyer, do not downplay your symptoms. Be specific.

• Don't just say, "I have a headache."
• Say: "I have a constant, throbbing headache behind my right eye that gets a 9/10 in severity when I look at a computer screen, forcing me to sit in a dark room."
• Don't just say, "I'm a little foggy."
• Say, "I cannot follow a conversation, and I have had to ask my spouse to repeat the same information three times today because I can't retain it."

This level of detail is what allows your attorney to build a strong case and fight for the full compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and the profound, disruptive impact the injury has had on your life.

Need Legal Help? Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, is One Phone Call Away

A concussion is a serious brain injury that should never be ignored. The recovery process can be extensive, and the long-term effects can significantly alter one's life. Dealing with a personal injury claim while simultaneously trying to recover from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can feel like an unbearable responsibility. You don't have to face it by yourself.

The legal team at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, understands the complex science behind concussions and the legal strategies needed to combat an insurance company's tactics. We take "invisible" injuries seriously. If you or a loved one is suffering from post-concussion symptoms after a car accident, contact us today for a free legal consultation. We are available day or night to assist you.