A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or sudden jolt to the head. It disrupts how the brain works, even when there is no visible wound or fracture. Concussions happen in car accidents, falls, sports collisions, and other incidents where the head absorbs or transfers force.
Symptoms do not always show up right away. Some people feel fine at first and notice headaches, confusion, or dizziness hours or days later. Knowing what to watch for, and when to get help, can make a real difference in recovery and in protecting a legal claim.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mild TBI) that changes the way the brain functions after an impact.
The CDC classifies it as a brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt that moves the head and brain back and forth quickly, creating chemical changes inside the skull.
Roughly 75 percent of all treated traumatic brain injuries in the United States fall into the mild category, which includes concussions. You do not need to lose consciousness to have a concussion. Many people never black out at all. Even a so-called “mild” concussion can cause lasting physical symptoms, cognitive function problems, and emotional changes when left untreated.
Common causes of concussion injuries
Concussions happen whenever the brain shifts inside the skull after a sudden force. Below are some of the most common causes seen in personal injury cases.
1. Car accidents
Car accidents are a leading cause of concussion injuries. Rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, T-bone impacts, and rollover wrecks all generate enough force to shake the brain inside the skull. Even low-speed crashes can cause a concussion when the head strikes the steering wheel, window or headrest.
2. Slip and fall accidents
Slip and fall accidents often result in head injuries when a person hits a hard surface. Wet floors, uneven stairs, cracked sidewalks, and poorly lit stairwells cause many of these falls. One in ten U.S. adults reports falling each year, and falls are the second leading cause of TBI-related deaths across all age groups. Older adults face the highest risk, with roughly 80 percent of their TBI emergency visits linked to falls.
3. Pedestrian, bicycle, and motorcycle crashes
Pedestrian accidents, bicycle crashes, and motorcycle collisions leave riders and walkers exposed to direct head impact. NHTSA data shows unhelmeted motorcyclists suffer TBI at a 21 percent rate compared to 15 percent for helmeted riders.
4. Other blunt-force trauma
Sport-related concussions, falling objects, assaults, and workplace accidents account for many additional head injuries. Children aged 17 and under make up about 70 percent of sports and recreation concussion-related ER visits. Any sport related concussion, whether in football, soccer, or hockey, deserves prompt medical attention. Contact sports carry a higher risk for young athletes.
Symptoms of a concussion
Concussion symptoms range from mild discomfort to severe disruption. The WHO’s ICD-10 defines post-concussive syndrome by the presence of three or more of these symptom clusters. If you experience any of the following symptoms after a head injury, pay attention and seek medical care:
|
Symptom category |
Common symptoms |
|
Physical symptoms |
Headache, dizziness, nausea, blurry vision, fatigue, sensitivity to light or noise |
|
Cognitive symptoms |
Confusion, brain fog, memory problems, trouble concentrating, slurred speech |
|
Sleep-related symptoms |
Sleeping more or less than usual, trouble falling asleep, changes in sleeping patterns |
|
Emotional symptoms |
Irritability, mood swings, anxiety, feeling “off” or overwhelmed |
Delayed concussion symptoms
Not every concussion announces itself right away. Some people walk away from an accident feeling fine, only to develop a severe headache, confusion, or dizziness hours or even days later. Adrenaline can mask pain at the scene, and certain chemical changes in the brain take time to produce noticeable effects.
Between 21 and 46 percent of concussion patients develop persistent symptoms that last well beyond the first week. Delayed symptoms can make a concussion diagnosis harder, so it is wise to monitor how you feel for several weeks after any head impact. Even minor changes in memory, mood, or energy deserve attention.
When to get medical help
After any suspected concussion, getting checked by a doctor is the safest step you can take. Some red flags call for immediate emergency care:
- A headache that keeps getting worse or does not go away
- Repeated vomiting or nausea that will not stop
- Seizures, fainting, or temporary loss of consciousness
- Severe confusion, slurred speech, or inability to recognize people
- Fluid coming from the nose or ears
- One pupil larger than the other
Going to the emergency room or an urgent care clinic creates medical records that document the injury. Those records are extremely important if someone else’s negligence caused the accident, because they connect the concussion to the event. Head injuries should never be ignored, even if symptoms feel manageable at first.
How doctors diagnose a concussion
A concussion diagnosis usually involves several steps. The American College of Surgeons and the CDC both recommend a structured approach.
Physical and neurological examination
A doctor tests balance, coordination, reflexes, and basic cognitive function. The exam checks how the person’s brain is handling visual tracking, reaction time, and simple recall tasks.
Symptom review and medical history
The doctor asks what happened, when symptoms started, whether there was a previous concussion, and how the symptoms have changed over time.
Imaging tests
CT scans or MRIs help rule out bleeding, fractures, or other serious injury. However, 80 to 90 percent of mild TBI patients have normal scans, so a clean image does not rule out a concussion.
Follow-up monitoring
If symptoms persist, medical professionals schedule repeat evaluations. Follow up appointments track recovery and catch any worsening that might signal a more serious brain injury.
Concussion recovery time
Recovery from a concussion varies from person to person. Most people recover within a few days to several weeks. Children often improve within four weeks. Still, about 10 to 20 percent of patients develop post-concussion syndrome, with longer lasting symptoms that stretch for months. Repeated concussions slow recovery and raise the risk of permanent brain damage.
During recovery, doctors generally recommend:
- Physical and mental rest in the first 24 to 48 hours
- A gradual return to light physical activity as tolerated
- Avoiding contact sports and strenuous tasks until fully healed
- Consistent follow up care to track how the body and brain heal over time
Second impact syndrome, a rare but dangerous condition, can occur if a person suffers a second concussion while still recovering from the first. It has been linked to fatal brain swelling in young athletes.
Long-term effects of a concussion
An estimated 5.3 million Americans live with disabilities caused by traumatic brain injury. When a concussion does not heal completely, the effects can ripple into everyday life.
Cognitive problems
Memory gaps, trouble concentrating, and slower thinking speed are common. These issues can affect work performance, schoolwork, and daily decision-making.
Physical problems
Chronic headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light, blurry vision, and ongoing fatigue may continue for months. Some patients also report changes in taste or smell.
Emotional or mood changes
Anxiety, depression, and irritability show up frequently after a brain injury. Sleep disturbance and sudden mood swings can strain relationships and make daily routines harder.
Daily-life limitations
Severe or repeated concussions can make it difficult to drive, work, or handle routine tasks. About 50 percent of people with moderate-to-severe TBI experience further decline in daily functioning within five years. For those dealing with lasting effects, the link between the injury and lost quality of life becomes a factor in any personal injury claim.
How a concussion can affect a legal claim
A concussion injury can lead to medical bills, time away from work, and ongoing treatment needs. Insurance companies sometimes try to minimize the claim because concussions do not always show up on imaging tests. That is exactly why medical records, a symptom log, and statements from witnesses matter so much.If someone else’s negligence caused the accident, the injured person may have the right to seek compensation. A personal injury lawyer can help connect the brain injury to the accident, gather medical evidence, and push back against lowball offers. Florida’s comparative negligence laws also play a role in how much compensation someone can recover.
Compensation in a concussion case
|
Damage type |
What it covers |
Examples |
|
Economic damages |
Measurable financial losses tied to the injury |
Medical bills, prescription costs, imaging, physical medicine and therapy, lost wages |
|
Non-economic damages |
Losses that do not carry a specific dollar amount |
Pain and suffering, emotional distress, reduced quality of life, loss of enjoyment |
|
Future damages |
Costs expected after the case settles |
Ongoing treatment, follow-up care, reduced earning ability, long-term therapy |
The annual economic cost of traumatic brain injury in the United States ranges from $83 billion to $244 billion, with average lifetime costs per TBI survivor estimated near $533,000. These numbers show why fair compensation matters, even for injuries labeled “mild.”
Learn more about how average personal injury settlements are calculated.
What to do after a concussion
Taking the right steps after a head injury protects both your health and a potential legal claim. Here is what to do:
- Seek medical care. Go to an emergency room, urgent care, or your doctor as soon as possible.
- Follow doctor instructions. Stick to rest guidelines and attend every follow-up appointment.
- Keep all records and prescriptions. Save receipts, medical reports, and any imaging results.
- Track symptoms in a journal. Write down headaches, dizziness, mood changes, and sleep problems each day.
- Save photos, witness info, and accident reports. This evidence helps connect the concussion to the incident. See our guide on how to collect evidence after an accident.
- Avoid quick statements to insurers. Anything you say can be used to reduce your claim. Talk to a lawyer first.
Why talk to a lawyer after a concussion injury
A concussion may not leave a visible mark, but it can change your daily life in real ways. A lawyer familiar with brain injury cases can help connect your medical records to the accident, handle communication with insurance adjusters, and make sure no part of the claim gets overlooked. If someone else’s carelessness caused the injury, you should not have to cover the costs alone.
Learn more about Florida personal injury laws and how long a personal injury lawsuit takes to set realistic expectations for your case.
Speak with a lawyer about a concussion injury
If you or someone close to you suffered a concussion because of another person’s negligence, legal help may be worth considering. A personal injury attorney can review your medical records, explain what your claim might involve, and answer questions at no upfront cost. Contact us today for a free consultation.