Brain Injuries
Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury After a Car Accident
Signs of a traumatic brain injury after a car accident include headaches, confusion, memory problems, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, sensitivity to light or noise, trouble sleeping, and changes in mood or personality. These symptoms can appear right away or develop over hours, days, or even weeks. You do not need to hit your head to suffer a brain injury, since the sudden jolt of a crash can injure the brain on its own. Anyone with these symptoms after a collision should get a medical evaluation promptly.
Brain injuries are sometimes called invisible injuries because a person can look fine while struggling with symptoms that affect work, relationships, and daily life. Recognizing the signs early matters for both your health and any claim you may bring.
How Car Accidents Cause Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury happens when a blow, jolt, or sudden movement disrupts normal brain function. In a car accident, the head may strike the steering wheel, window, or headrest. Even without impact, the rapid acceleration and deceleration of a crash can cause the brain to move inside the skull. Rear-end collisions, side-impact crashes, and rollovers can all cause brain injuries, ranging from mild concussions to severe injuries with lasting effects.
Common Symptoms to Watch For
| Type of Symptom | Examples |
|---|---|
| Physical | Headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, balance problems |
| Cognitive | Confusion, trouble concentrating, memory problems, slowed thinking, difficulty finding words |
| Emotional | Irritability, anxiety, depression, mood swings, feeling unlike yourself |
| Sleep-related | Sleeping much more or less than usual, trouble falling asleep |
Family members and coworkers sometimes notice changes before the injured person does, such as forgetfulness, a shorter temper, or difficulty following conversations.
Get emergency medical care right away for a headache that gets worse and does not go away, repeated vomiting, seizures, slurred speech, weakness or numbness, unusual drowsiness or inability to wake up, one pupil larger than the other, or increasing confusion or agitation.
Why Brain Injuries Are Often Missed
Adrenaline after a crash can mask symptoms, and attention often goes to visible injuries like cuts or broken bones. Standard imaging such as a CT scan or MRI can appear normal even when a person has a concussion, because many mild brain injuries do not show up on routine scans. Diagnosis often relies on a clinical evaluation of symptoms, and some people later need neuropsychological testing to measure effects on memory, attention, and processing speed.
What to Do If You Suspect a Brain Injury
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Get Evaluated Promptly
Tell the doctor exactly how the crash happened and describe every symptom, even ones that seem minor.
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Follow Medical Advice
Attend follow-up appointments and referrals to specialists such as neurologists. Gaps in treatment can be used to argue the injury is not serious.
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Keep a Symptom Journal
Record headaches, memory lapses, sleep problems, and mood changes with dates. This captures details that are easy to forget.
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Ask Others to Note Changes
Statements from family, friends, or coworkers about changes in your behavior can be valuable evidence.
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Avoid Quick Settlements
Brain injury symptoms can evolve over time, so settling before you understand the full effect can leave future needs uncovered.
Brain injuries can affect your life long after the crash. A free case review can help you understand your options.
Get a Free Case ReviewHow a Brain Injury Affects a Personal Injury Claim
Brain injury claims often involve damages that extend far into the future. Depending on the injury, compensation may include medical treatment, cognitive or physical therapy, future care, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Insurers frequently dispute brain injury claims, especially mild ones, by pointing to normal scans or arguing symptoms came from something else. Consistent medical records, specialist evaluations, and testimony about how your life has changed are often what establish the full impact of the injury.
Help for Brain Injury Victims in Walnut Creek
If you were hurt in a crash in Walnut Creek or elsewhere in Contra Costa County and are experiencing brain injury symptoms, a brain injury lawyer can help gather medical evidence, work with specialists, and calculate future losses. Most California injury lawsuits must be filed within two years under Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, and claims against government entities generally must be filed within six months under Government Code Section 911.2.
Learn more on our Walnut Creek brain injury lawyer page, or read can I sue after a car accident in California.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have a brain injury without hitting your head?
Yes. The sudden acceleration and deceleration of a crash can injure the brain even without a direct blow to the head.
How long after an accident can brain injury symptoms appear?
Some symptoms appear immediately, while others develop over hours, days, or weeks. Get evaluated if new symptoms appear after a crash.
Will a CT scan show a concussion?
Often not. Many mild brain injuries do not appear on routine imaging, and diagnosis usually relies on a clinical evaluation of symptoms.
Can I get compensation for a mild traumatic brain injury?
Yes. Even mild brain injuries can cause lasting symptoms, and compensation may cover treatment, lost income, and the impact on your daily life.
Suffered a Brain Injury in a Crash?
Every case at The Herman Firm gets direct attorney attention from the first call. Consultations are free, and you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Call 925-532-1977 Request a Free Case ReviewAsk us during your consultation how case costs are handled.