Concussion after an accident
In plain English: a concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow or jolt that makes the brain move inside the skull. You don't have to hit your head or lose consciousness to have one.
Symptoms that are easy to miss
Many people walk away from a crash thinking they're fine because the adrenaline masks symptoms. Concussion symptoms can appear within minutes or over the following days.
- Headache that won't settle, or gets worse
- Dizziness, balance problems or nausea
- Feeling foggy, slowed down or confused
- Trouble concentrating or remembering things
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Sleeping much more or less than usual
- Irritability, anxiety or low mood
you or someone else has repeated vomiting, a worsening headache, slurred speech, weakness or numbness, seizures, increasing confusion, or can't be woken easily. Go to the emergency department or call emergency services.
Why scans often look normal
A CT scan is mainly used to rule out bleeding or a skull fracture. A standard CT or MRI is usually normal after a concussion, because the injury is at a microscopic level. Insurers sometimes point to a clear scan as proof you weren't hurt. It isn't. Diagnosis depends on how you were injured, your symptoms and a clinical examination. In the emergency room, the Glasgow Coma Scale is often recorded; a score of 13 to 15 is usually classed as mild injury, which includes concussion.
Building a concussion claim
- Get seen quickly and tell the doctor exactly how the accident happened, including any head movement, even without a direct hit.
- Report every symptom, including mood and memory changes, which people often leave out.
- Ask about referral to a concussion clinic, neurologist or neuropsychologist if symptoms continue beyond a few weeks.
- Ask family and colleagues to note changes they see. Others often notice before you do.
- Keep a symptom log showing headaches, sleep and bad days.
Recovery and value
Most people recover from concussion within a few weeks. Some develop persistent symptoms lasting months, often called post-concussion syndrome, and these cases are valued much higher because they can affect work, relationships and daily life. In England and Wales, the Judicial College Guidelines give brackets for minor brain injuries based largely on how long symptoms last. In the US and Canada, value depends on medical evidence, lost income and the effect on your life.
A cyclist is knocked off her bike, feels shaken but fine, and goes home. Two days later she can't concentrate at work. Her GP diagnoses concussion. Because she was seen soon after the symptoms began and told the doctor about the collision, the link to the accident is clear in her records.
Next: post-concussion syndrome · traumatic brain injury · whiplash vs concussion.
Related terms
General information, not legal or medical advice. Rules differ between US states, the UK and Canadian provinces, so check the law where your accident happened. How we write and check · Legal disclaimer