If you have a concussion from a car accident, it is critical to seek medical attention immediately. A bump on the head may not seem like a big deal until it is. After having medical help, you can file a personal injury claim to receive compensation for the medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to the accident if it results from another party’s wrongful actions.
Read more to learn about concussions and how to receive compensation for them when involved in an accident.
Are Concussions Dangerous?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. It’s often called “mild”, but its effects can be serious and long-lasting. It’s the most common form of TBI, accounting for about 75% of all cases, and while most people recover fully, some suffer long-term cognitive, emotional, or physical impairments. In some tragic cases, like Richardson’s, what starts as a “minor injury” can quickly spiral into a medical emergency.
What makes concussions especially dangerous is how easy they are to overlook. There may be no bleeding, no loss of consciousness, and no immediate pain; just a moment of confusion, a brief headache, or a sense that something feels “off.” But inside your skull, your brain may have been jolted, bruised, or inflamed in ways that won’t appear on a basic scan.
Common Causes of Head Injuries
Concussions can occur in various ways, including sudden stops in traffic, falls on slick floors, hard tackles during games, or jolts from workplace accidents. You don’t need to lose consciousness or have a visible injury for your brain to suffer trauma.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Car, bike, or motorcycle accidents
- Falls in the home, in public, or at work
- Sports-related injuries (football, soccer, skiing, etc.)
- Physical assaults or domestic violence
- Shaken baby syndrome
No matter how it happens, the result can be the same: your brain function is disrupted, and you’re left struggling with symptoms that can take over your life.
What Are the Signs of a Concussion After a Car Accident?
One of the most dangerous myths about concussions from car accidents is that symptoms show up right away. In reality, they can take hours or even days to appear. And they’re not always dramatic. Some people feel dazed. Others get waves of nausea or crushing headaches. And some simply can’t shake the feeling that they’re not quite themselves anymore.
Warning signs of a concussion from a car accident to watch for:
- Headache or persistent neck pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Drowsiness or feeling unusually tired
- Blurred or double vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Confusion, sluggishness, or “brain fog”
- Emotional shifts like anxiety, sadness, or irritability
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
If you suspect a concussion, even if you think it’s “not that bad”, don’t wait. Your brain controls everything you do, and early medical intervention can be the difference between a smooth recovery and a lasting injury. Left untreated, concussions can lead to chronic headaches, mood disorders, memory issues, or worse.
Can I Seek Compensation for a Concussion From a Car Accident?
If you or someone you love suffered a concussion in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation and the right to be taken seriously. A concussion might not leave visible scars, but it can leave you struggling with memory loss, mood swings, brain fog, or constant headaches. For some, the scariest part isn’t the pain but the fear of not feeling like yourself anymore.
These are not “just bumps on the head.” A concussion is a real traumatic brain injury (TBI), and it can disrupt every part of your life, your work, your relationships, and your sense of stability. And yet, because concussions often don’t show up on CT scans or MRIs, insurance companies frequently try to minimize them or deny claims altogether. That’s where having a strong legal and medical team becomes essential.
What Makes a Concussion Claim Legally Valid?
To pursue a personal injury claim, your legal team must prove that your concussion was caused by someone else’s carelessness, legally known as negligence. This could be a driver who ran a red light, a distracted motorist, or someone driving under the influence.
There are four critical elements of negligence your lawyer must establish:
- Duty of care – The at-fault party had a legal obligation to act with caution and follow safety rules.
- Breach of duty – They failed to uphold that obligation by acting recklessly or carelessly.
- Causation – Their actions directly led to your injury.
- Damages – You suffered real harm, physically, emotionally, or financially.
Why Are Concussion Claims Often Dismissed or Disputed?
Because the signs of a concussion after a car accident can take hours or even days to appear, many people don’t get medical help right away. The rush of adrenaline after an accident can trick your body into thinking you’re okay. Then suddenly, the headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, or emotional instability hit, and it becomes clear that something’s very wrong.
Unfortunately, this delay in care gives insurance companies an excuse to question your claim. They may argue:
- Your injury wasn’t caused by the crash.
- It’s not as serious as you say.
- You waited too long to get treated.
But delayed symptoms are a normal and medically recognized aspect of brain injuries. The delay doesn’t mean your concussion isn’t real; it just means it wasn’t immediately obvious. A skilled California auto accident attorney can help you push back against these tactics, connect you with neurologists and brain injury specialists, and build a strong case that shows the full impact of your injury.
How Much Is a Concussion Worth in a Car Accident
The worth of your concussion claim depends on how severe the impact of the crash is to you. You may be entitled to damages that cover both your tangible losses and the emotional toll of the injury. This includes:
- Medical expenses – ER visits, scans, follow-up appointments, and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages – For the time you couldn’t work or future income you can’t earn.
- Pain and suffering – Chronic headaches, fatigue, sensory sensitivities.
- Emotional distress – Depression, anxiety, personality changes, or PTSD.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – If your hobbies, independence, or relationships have suffered.
And if your injury was caused by someone acting recklessly, such as a drunk driver, you may also be eligible for punitive damages, which are meant to punish the wrongdoer and prevent similar behavior in the future.
What If I Didn’t Get Medical Help Right Away?
You’re not alone. Many people walk away from a crash thinking they’re fine, only to later feel like something’s wrong, mentally and physically. The confusion, forgetfulness, and overwhelming fatigue creep in when your body starts to process what happened.
That doesn’t mean you gave up your right to compensation. It means your case may need stronger medical evidence and strategic legal guidance. A skilled personal injury lawyer can help you get evaluated by trusted doctors, gather evidence of your injuries, and fight for the full settlement you deserve, even if you didn’t get help immediately.
What Does a California Auto Accident Attorney Do for Concussion Victims?
A concussion from a car accident may not leave bruises or scars you can see, but the impact it can have on your life is very real.
From pounding headaches and brain fog to sudden mood swings, memory lapses, and the inability to focus or sleep, a concussion can quietly unravel your day-to-day routines, relationships, and sense of self. And because these injuries often don’t appear on standard scans, insurance companies are quick to brush them aside, as if your pain doesn’t matter.
At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, we know better. We’ve helped countless people just like you stand up against being dismissed or ignored. Here’s how we fight for you:
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We connect you with the right doctors.
Brain injuries are complex, and not every physician understands how to diagnose or document them properly. We make sure you’re evaluated by trusted neurologists and specialists who can uncover the full scope of your injury.
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We show how your life has changed.
That could mean constant fatigue, emotional swings you never anticipated, struggles at work, or strain on your relationships. These effects are real, and we make sure they’re part of your claim.
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We take on the insurance companies.
Their goal is to pay you as little as possible. Our job is to push back hard. We don’t let them minimize your suffering or force you into a quick, unfair settlement.
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We pursue every dollar you deserve.
From ER visits and specialists to missed wages, therapy, and the emotional distress you’re carrying, we calculate the total cost of what this injury has taken from you.
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We’re prepared to go to court.
If the insurance company won’t do what’s right, we won’t hesitate to take your case to trial and demand justice before a judge and jury.
Call us today at 800-333-0000. Let’s talk about your options in a risk-free consultation and how we can help protect your future.
Don’t let insurance companies push you around. Call today for a free case review by attorneys familiar with car accident law.
What Our Clients Say About Us
While many personal injury lawyers may accept your case and build a legal defense, none will champion your cause as fiercely as we do. Our California personal injury attorneys are exceptionally well-equipped to create a flawless claim, as affirmed by our previous clients:
“These guys are true pros! My attorney did all the work. My settlement exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend it to anyone who needs to negotiate with an insurance company.” – Brandon B.
Frequently Asked Questions
Accidents may be upsetting and complicated, leaving everyone involved with questions about their rights, obligations, and legal alternatives. Understanding the aftermath of an accident is critical for safeguarding your rights and getting proper compensation.
If you have further questions, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about road accidents.
- Who’s Liable for a California Car Crash When Another Car Cuts You Off?
- Is a Cyclist Without a Helmet Liable for a Bike Accident?
- Is an Owner Liable for a Dog Bite Attack in a Restaurant?
- Can I Switch California Personal Injury Lawyers?
References
About Mild TBI and Concussion | Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion. (2024, May 16). CDC. Retrieved May 7, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/traumatic-brain-injury/about/index.html
TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury): What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved May 7, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8874-traumatic-brain-injury
