Car accidents often happen in an eye blink, but their catastrophic effects can linger for a lifetime. Among the most serious and life-altering injuries caused by vehicle collisions are traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs.
While some people walk away from a crash with minor bruises, others suffer invisible damage that affects memory, thinking, and daily function. TBIs are common after car accidents, so it’s important to recognize the risks, know how to respond quickly, and seek the right medical and legal support if needed.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury happens when a sudden force or jolt disrupts the brain’s normal function and can range in severity from a mild concussion to severe brain damage that leads to permanent disability.
Even a low-speed car accident can cause the head to snap forward or strike part of the vehicle interior, resulting in brain trauma. While a helmet might protect a cyclist or motorcyclist, car occupants rely mostly on seatbelts and airbags—tools that help but don’t eliminate the risk.
TBIs may be classified by severity:
- Mild: Leading to a brief change in mental status or consciousness, often labeled as a concussion
- Moderate: Longer loss of consciousness or significant confusion
- Severe: Extended unconsciousness or long-term cognitive and physical impairments
Each type requires medical attention, but symptoms can vary significantly, making diagnosis challenging without a proper evaluation.
How Often Do Car Accidents Cause Brain Injuries?
Car crashes are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle accidents are among the top three causes of TBIs, especially in adults between the ages of 15 and 44.
While falls still top the list across all age groups, crashes contribute significantly to both hospitalizations and long-term impairments due to TBIs.
Some studies estimate that more than 17 percent of all TBIs in the U.S. result from motor vehicle crashes. And because not all brain injuries are diagnosed immediately—or at all—those numbers may underrepresent the real scope of the issue.
Why TBIs Are Often Overlooked After a Crash
One reason TBIs go unreported is that symptoms don’t always appear right away. Immediately following an accident, the rush of adrenaline and shock can mask pain and confusion.
Some people feel fine, only to experience dizziness, memory loss, or fatigue hours or days later. That delay can lead to missed diagnoses, especially when emergency care focuses on more visible injuries like fractures or lacerations.
If you hit your head, lose consciousness, or feel “off” after a crash, even without visible trauma, it’s important to get a medical evaluation. Imaging tests, such as CT scans or MRIs, can help detect internal injuries that aren’t visible on the surface.
Common Symptoms of a TBI
Recognizing the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury is key to getting help. After a car crash, watch for signs such as:
- Headache or pressure in the head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Confusion or disorientation
- Blurred vision or sensitivity to light
- Mood swings or changes in personality
- Memory problems or trouble concentrating
- Sleep disturbances, including too much or too little sleep
Some symptoms may resolve on their own, while others can persist or worsen over time. In more serious cases, TBIs may lead to seizures, coma, or significant cognitive decline.
The Long-Term Impact of TBIs from Car Accidents
Brain injuries can have long-lasting consequences. People with moderate to severe TBIs often face prolonged recovery and may need rehabilitation for months or years.
Cognitive functions such as attention, language, decision-making, and emotional regulation can be impaired. In some cases, people are unable to return to work, perform daily tasks, or maintain their previous quality of life.
Even mild TBIs, like concussions, can lead to lasting issues if not properly treated.
Repeat injuries, particularly within a short period, can cause compounded damage and increase the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head injuries.
Who’s Most at Risk?
Anyone can suffer a TBI in a car accident, but certain groups face higher risks. Children and older adults are especially vulnerable due to the fragility of developing or aging brains.
Motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians struck by vehicles also face a greater chance of severe injury.
Occupants of vehicles without airbags or those not wearing seatbelts are more likely to suffer head trauma in a crash.
Additionally, side-impact collisions, rollovers, and high-speed crashes increase the likelihood of brain injury, even when safety features are in place.
What You Can Do After a Crash
If you or someone else might have suffered a head injury in a car accident, you should take it seriously.
Early intervention improves outcomes, and proper documentation helps if you need to file an insurance claim or pursue legal action.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Seek medical attention, even if symptoms don’t seem that bad
- Report all symptoms to your doctor and follow up as recommended
- Keep records of all medical visits, test results, and prescribed treatments
- Inform your insurance provider promptly
- Consider consulting with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys if the crash involved serious injury or there are disputes over fault
Insurance companies may try to downplay TBIs as subjective or hard to verify. But medical records, expert opinions, and ongoing care notes can help support your claim and ensure you’re compensated for the full impact of the injury.
How McCoy & Hiestand, PLC, Can Help
Traumatic brain injuries are far more common after car accidents than many people realize. They don’t always leave visible marks, but their effects can alter lives dramatically.
Whether the injury is mild or severe, prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential. If you’ve been in a crash and suspect a head injury—even days later—don’t ignore it. Trust your instincts, seek medical care, and play an active role in protecting your health and rights.
At McCoy & Hiestand, PLC, we believe that awareness is the first step toward recovery, and we can help.
