Signs and Symptoms of a Brain Injury After a Car Accident: What to Watch For

• April 9, 2025
• The Stoddard Firm
• Brain Injury

Visible injuries are often the immediate cause of concern after a car accident. But what about the injuries you can’t see? A brain injury is one of the most serious outcomes of a car accident. Head injuries have long-lasting impacts and are often misunderstood.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), concussions, and other head injuries often come with subtle or delayed symptoms that are easy to dismiss at first. These injuries can worsen if ignored, and the longer you wait to address them, the greater the impact they may have on your daily life.

Recognizing the early signs of TBI or concussion symptoms is essential for protecting your health and future. Unfortunately, many people dismiss these issues, attributing them to stress or shock from the accident. That delay in care can have serious consequences.

At The Stoddard Firm, we understand how brain injuries can disrupt every aspect of your life, and we’re here to help you get the support you need.

Immediate Symptoms of Brain Injuries After a Car Accident

When a car accident occurs, the force involved can cause serious head injuries, leading to a range of immediate symptoms. Here are some immediate signs to watch for:

Loss of Consciousness

This symptom can vary widely, from being momentarily “out” (a brief blackout) to slipping into a prolonged coma. Any level of unconsciousness after an accident is a serious indicator that the brain may have been affected, and it requires immediate medical attention.

Headaches

Post-accident headaches are not to be taken lightly. While it might seem common to experience a headache, it’s important to monitor this symptom closely. A headache could be a sign of a concussion or other serious injury to the brain.

Dizziness and Vertigo

Feeling as if the world is spinning or experiencing severe imbalance is a common reaction to a head injury. This sensation of vertigo might not just be disorienting; it can also impair your ability to stand or walk, which complicates your ability to function normally.

Nausea and Vomiting

These symptoms are especially common in concussions or more severe brain injuries. Nausea and vomiting are the body’s way of reacting to the confusion happening in the brain.

Confusion and Disorientation

This can manifest as difficulty in remembering the accident or being confused about the time and place. Some might repeat the same questions or seem unable to process what others are saying. This state of confusion is a direct result of the brain trying to make sense of the injury it has sustained.

Delayed Symptoms of Brain Injuries After a Car Accident

When dealing with a TBI, it’s crucial to be aware that not all symptoms appear immediately. Some signs, especially those related to cognitive functioning, can emerge days or even weeks after the initial incident.

These delayed symptoms often involve subtle but significant changes in cognitive abilities that can disrupt daily life and challenge one’s sense of normalcy.

After a brain injury, you might find it hard to remember recent conversations or events—this could be an issue with short-term memory. Also, you may struggle to recall past information that once seemed familiar, indicating long-term memory issues.

Tasks that require sustained mental effort can become unexpectedly difficult. You might notice that your attention drifts frequently, or that it takes much more effort than before to stay focused on work tasks, reading, or even following a TV show. This scattering of attention can significantly hinder your ability to complete tasks efficiently.

The speed at which you process information can decrease, making conversations and decision-making feel laborious. You may find yourself needing extra time to understand complex information or to respond in conversations, which can be particularly noticeable in fast-paced environments.

Making decisions or solving problems, especially when multiple variables are involved, can become difficult. This might manifest as hesitance in making choices that were previously straightforward or a newfound difficulty in planning steps to accomplish a goal.

Emotional and Behavioral Changes After a Brain Injury

After a traumatic brain injury, many people notice significant changes in their emotional and behavioral responses. Here are some common emotional and behavioral changes to watch for:

• Irritability, Mood Swings, and Increased Anger: You might feel yourself becoming frustrated over minor things or experiencing mood swings that seem to come out of nowhere.
• Anxiety, Depression, and Feelings of Sadness: It’s common for people with TBIs to feel a sense of worry, sadness, or hopelessness. These feelings can stem from the injury itself or from the challenges it creates in daily life.
• Difficulty Sleeping or Changes in Sleep Patterns: Sleep is crucial for emotional regulation and recovery, but brain injuries often disrupt sleep patterns. Whether it’s difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling rested, these changes can worsen emotional struggles.
• Personality Changes and Impulsive Behavior: Someone who was once cautious and thoughtful might now make rash decisions without considering the consequences. These changes can be confusing and difficult to manage, often requiring the support of mental health professionals.

Physical Symptoms of Brain Injuries

In addition to cognitive and emotional effects, brain injuries often come with physical symptoms, such as:

• Fatigue and Lack of Energy: Exhaustion is one of the most common symptoms of a brain injury. Tasks that used to come easily may now leave you completely drained. This fatigue often stems from the brain working overtime to compensate for injury-related changes.
• Sensitivity to Light and Sound: Bright lights and loud noises that never bothered you before might suddenly feel unbearable. You might find yourself wearing sunglasses indoors or avoiding crowded places altogether.
• Sleep Disturbances: Quality sleep becomes elusive when your brain is healing from an injury. You might find yourself unable to sleep through the night, waking up several times, or feeling unrefreshed in the morning. On the flip side, some find themselves sleeping far more than usual.
• Numbness or Tingling in Extremities: A brain injury can cause nerve-related symptoms, such as numbness or tingling sensations in your hands, feet, or other parts of the body, adding another layer of discomfort and worry.

Why Prompt Medical Attention Is Critical

Not all brain injuries are immediately apparent, and some can be life-threatening if left untreated. For example, symptoms like persistent headaches, confusion, or vomiting could indicate a more severe injury, such as a brain bleed or swelling.

Medical professionals can use advanced diagnostic tools like CT scans or MRIs to rule out these conditions and provide the necessary treatment to prevent further complications.

The timing of your diagnosis and treatment can affect your recovery. Early intervention can lead to better recovery outcomes by addressing symptoms before they evolve into more chronic, debilitating conditions.

If your injury was due to an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you will need medical records as evidence for any legal claims. Detailed documentation of your injuries, treatment plans, and the impact on your daily life can be crucial when seeking compensation.

What to Do if You Suspect a Brain Injury

The first thing to do after a car accident is to get medical attention. Visit an emergency room or see your doctor without delay. Brain injuries can have serious, sometimes subtle consequences, and prompt diagnosis can be crucial to effective treatment.

While you’re managing your health, start keeping a symptom journal. Document every symptom and change you notice, no matter how minor it may seem. This journal will be vital for your medical provider to understand the full extent of your symptoms and can be crucial in legal situations to document the impact of the injury.

Make sure to follow all medical advice you receive. Attend all follow-up appointments, take prescribed medications, and adhere to any therapeutic protocols such as physical therapy or counseling.

Finally, contact our Atlanta car accident lawyer if your injury resulted from a car accident. Our attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and options. We can help in securing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other related brain injury costs.

Contact Our Car Accident Lawyer in Atlanta Today

As you deal with these changes, it’s important to remember that there are resources available, including legal support from our head injury car accident lawyers. We can guide you through insurance claims and help you secure the compensation and benefits necessary for your recovery.

If you are experiencing brain injury symptoms after a car accident, contact us at 470-467-2200 for a free consultation. Our team is here to ensure that you receive comprehensive care and compensation to aid in your recovery.