Yes, you can get a concussion from a car accident, even if you never hit your head. The sudden force of a crash can cause the brain to move inside the skull, leading to headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, and mood changes. Symptoms can appear right away or days later. See a doctor as soon as possible, follow up if symptoms don't improve, and talk with a brain injury lawyer if your concussion was caused by someone else's negligence. You may be able to recover compensation for your medical care, lost income, and the ways the injury has affected your life.
Still dealing with symptoms after a crash? You're not imagining it, and you don't have to handle this on your own. Call our office for a free consultation at 803-790-2800 (Columbia) or 843-427-2800 (Myrtle Beach). You owe no attorney fees or case costs unless we recover money for you.
Table of contents
- What Is a Concussion?
- Can You Get a Concussion From a Car Accident Without Hitting Your Head?
- What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion After a Car Accident?
- How Long Does a Concussion Last After a Car Accident?
- What Is Post-Concussion Syndrome?
- Which Doctor Should I See for a Concussion After a Car Accident?
- Why Your CT Scan or MRI Might Look Normal
- How to Protect Your Health and Your Claim After a Concussion
- How Much Is a Concussion Settlement Worth?
- When a Concussion Is More Than "Mild"
- Why Work With a Brain Injury Lawyer?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Concussions After a Car Crash
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Doctors often call it a "mild" traumatic brain injury, or mTBI, but that label describes how the injury is classified, not how it feels to live with. A concussion can cause anything from short-term memory problems to lasting changes in mood and personality.
If an emergency room doctor told you it was "only a concussion," please don't assume you should be fine by now. Many people in South Carolina live with lingering effects because they were told a concussion is minor and never got the follow-up care they needed. Any injury to the brain deserves to be taken seriously.
Can You Get a Concussion From a Car Accident Without Hitting Your Head?
Yes. You can suffer a concussion by striking your head on the headrest, steering wheel, window, or airbag, but you can also suffer one without hitting anything at all. In a crash, the sudden stop or change in direction can make the brain shift and strike the inside of the skull. This is similar to what happens in whiplash.
Because there may be no bump, cut, or bruise, and you may never lose consciousness, a concussion is easy to miss at the scene. The injury is inside, even when nothing looks wrong on the outside.
What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion After a Car Accident?
Some symptoms show up right away. Others appear hours, days, or even weeks later, once the adrenaline from the crash wears off. Symptoms of a brain injury can include:
Physical symptoms
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dizziness or problems with balance
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
Thinking and memory symptoms
- Confusion or feeling "foggy"
- Trouble concentrating
- Memory problems
- Slowed speech, reactions, or movement
Emotional and sleep symptoms
- Irritability or mood swings
- Anxiety or depression
- Restlessness
- Trouble sleeping, or sleeping more than usual
Family members often notice changes before the injured person does. If someone close to you says you don't seem like yourself, take it seriously and tell your doctor.
When to Go to the Emergency Room
Get emergency care right away if you or someone else has any of these warning signs after a crash:
- A headache that gets worse and doesn't go away
- Repeated vomiting
- Slurred speech, weakness, or numbness
- Seizures
- One pupil larger than the other
- Unusual drowsiness or trouble waking up
- Increasing confusion, agitation, or unusual behavior
- Any loss of consciousness
These can be signs of a more serious brain injury, like bleeding on the brain, that needs immediate treatment.
How Long Does a Concussion Last After a Car Accident?
Many people start to feel better within a few weeks. For others, symptoms last much longer. How long a concussion lasts depends on the force of the crash, your age, your health history, and whether you had prior head injuries. Rest, a gradual return to normal activities, and following your doctor's guidance all help with recovery.
If your symptoms haven't improved after a few weeks, don't wait it out. Go back to your doctor.
What Is Post-Concussion Syndrome?
When concussion symptoms last longer than expected, doctors may diagnose post-concussion syndrome (PCS), also called persistent post-concussive symptoms. PCS can last for months, and in some cases, years. It can affect your ability to work, drive, focus, sleep, and enjoy time with your family.
PCS is real, and it's often underestimated by insurance companies. If your doctor confirms that your symptoms are the result of the crash, it's worth talking with an attorney about how to account for both your current and future medical care.
Which Doctor Should I See for a Concussion After a Car Accident?
- Emergency room or urgent care: Right after the crash, especially if you have any of the warning signs above.
- Your primary care doctor: For follow-up care. Tell them about every symptom, even ones that seem small or unrelated.
- A neurologist: If your symptoms last more than a few weeks, ask for a referral. All neurologists treat the brain, but many focus on areas like seizures or dementia, so look for one who has experience with traumatic brain injury.
- Other specialists, depending on your symptoms: Your doctor may refer you to a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor (a physiatrist) to coordinate your recovery, a vestibular physical therapist for dizziness and balance problems, a neuro-optometrist for vision problems, a speech-language pathologist for trouble with memory, attention, or word-finding, or a sleep specialist if you can't sleep.
Concussions are often missed in the emergency room. Even if an ER doctor said you didn't have a concussion, follow up with your primary care doctor if your symptoms continue. Here's more on choosing the right doctor after a crash.
"If your neurologist is unwilling to listen to your complaints, or appears dismissive of your injury, I encourage you to seek a second opinion." - Kenneth E. Berger, Founding Attorney
Why Your CT Scan or MRI Might Look Normal
A normal CT scan or MRI does not mean your brain is uninjured. These scans are good at finding bleeding and swelling, but they often don't show damage to the brain's white matter, the connections that carry messages through the brain. This type of injury, called diffuse axonal injury, can cause real symptoms even when standard scans look clear.
Doctors may use other tests to diagnose a traumatic brain injury, including more advanced imaging. Insurance companies sometimes point to a normal scan to argue that you weren't hurt, which is one reason thorough medical documentation matters so much.
How to Protect Your Health and Your Claim After a Concussion
- Get checked out quickly. A medical record made soon after the crash connects your symptoms to the accident.
- Tell your doctors everything. Mention every symptom, including memory lapses, mood changes, and sleep problems.
- Follow your treatment plan. Go to follow-up appointments and referrals. Gaps in treatment are often used to argue you weren't really hurt.
- Keep a symptom journal. Write down headaches, bad days, missed work, and activities you can't do anymore.
- Ask family and coworkers what they've noticed. Their observations can help your doctors and your case.
- Be careful with the insurance company. Don't downplay your symptoms or give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company before talking with an attorney. Here's more on dealing with insurance adjusters.
For a step-by-step checklist after any crash, see our South Carolina car accident guide.
How Much Is a Concussion Settlement Worth?
There's no set amount for a concussion settlement. Every case is different, and the value depends on factors like:
- How long your symptoms last, and whether any are permanent
- The medical care you've needed and will need in the future
- Time missed from work and any effect on your ability to earn a living
- How the injury has changed your daily life, relationships, and activities
- The available insurance coverage and policy limits
South Carolina law is designed to compensate injured people not only for financial losses, but also for pain and suffering and lost quality of life. With a concussion, those losses are often the most significant part of a claim. Learn more about the full range of damages in an injury case.
"I take the position that your lost quality of life often demands more compensation than your medical bills, as medical bills can be paid, but your lost time can never be returned." - Kenneth E. Berger, Founding Attorney
When a Concussion Is More Than "Mild"
For some people, a concussion is the start of a much longer recovery. Lasting memory problems, personality changes, and trouble returning to work can be signs of a more significant brain injury. When that happens, your case needs an attorney who understands brain injuries, works with the right medical experts, and plans for your long-term needs. Learn more about our work as a traumatic brain injury lawyer in Columbia and Myrtle Beach.
Children are especially vulnerable to lasting effects. Here's more on how brain injuries affect children.
Why Work With a Brain Injury Lawyer?
Many lawyers advertise for personal injury cases. Far fewer focus on brain injuries. Concussion symptoms are easy to overlook and undervalue, especially when no one takes the time to learn about every change in your life since the crash.
"I come from a family of doctors, but my love for the law drove me to this profession. Many years ago, I developed a strong interest in neuroscience and sought ways to combine my passions. I found that representing brain injury victims allows me to apply the law in a way that achieves my greatest goal - ensuring innocent victims receive great medical care and full justice." -Kenneth E. Berger, Founding Attorney
Attorney Kenny Berger has served as vice chair of the South Carolina Brain Injury Leadership Council and regularly teaches other attorneys about brain injury cases. Our team takes the time to hear your story, understand your symptoms, and make sure the insurance company sees the full impact of your injury. We keep you informed at every step and are always a phone call away.
If you're living with concussion symptoms after a car accident, call our office for a free consultation at 803-790-2800 (Columbia) or 843-427-2800 (Myrtle Beach). You owe no attorney fees or case costs unless we recover money for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Concussions After a Car Crash
Yes. The sudden force of a crash can cause the brain to move inside the skull and cause a concussion, even without a direct blow to the head.
Some symptoms appear right away, while others show up hours, days, or even weeks later. See a doctor if new symptoms appear after a crash.
Many people improve within a few weeks, but some develop post-concussion syndrome, with symptoms that last months or longer.
Start with the emergency room or your primary care doctor. If symptoms last more than a few weeks, ask for a referral to a neurologist with experience treating traumatic brain injuries.
Yes. If someone else caused the crash, you may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, future care, and pain and suffering.
Yes. CT scans and standard MRIs often don't detect concussions or injury to the brain's white matter. Your symptoms and a thorough medical evaluation matter more than a single scan.