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You walk away from a car accident feeling shaken but seemingly okay. No visible injuries, no broken bones. But hours or even days later, you develop a pounding headache, feel dizzy, or struggle to concentrate. These could be warning signs of a concussion, one of the most common yet frequently overlooked injuries in Minnesota car accidents.
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that occurs when a sudden impact or jolt rattles your brain inside your head. Importantly, you don’t need to hit your head on the steering wheel, dashboard, or window to sustain a concussion. The sudden deceleration from any collision can cause your brain to bounce against the inside of your skull, even at relatively low speeds. The violent jolt is why whiplash-type injuries so often result in concussions.
In Minnesota car accidents, concussions happen more frequently than most people realize. Research shows that approximately one in six concussions is caused by a motor vehicle crash, adding up to hundreds of thousands of crash-related concussions every year. Worse still, many of these cases are never properly screened or evaluated for concussion symptoms.
When concussion symptoms go unrecognized and untreated, victims often continue with normal activities that can worsen the injury. Doing so can lead to post-concussion syndrome, where symptoms persist for months or longer. Early diagnosis and proper rest are crucial for recovery.
Some concussion symptoms appear right away at the accident scene or within hours of the crash. If you or anyone involved in your accident experiences any of these symptoms, seek medical attention ASAP.
Any loss of consciousness after a car accident should be taken seriously. Even brief unconsciousness lasting just a few seconds indicates that the force of the collision was significant enough to disrupt brain function.
Feeling dazed or confused about what happened, or unable to remember details immediately before or after the crash, are classic concussion symptoms. You might describe feeling like you're in a fog or that everything seems surreal.
While many people experience headaches after the stress of an accident, a persistent or severe headache that develops shortly after impact is a red flag for potential concussion.
Feeling sick to your stomach or vomiting after a car accident can indicate brain trauma. This symptom should never be dismissed as simply shock or anxiety from the crash.
If you feel lightheaded, unsteady on your feet, or the world seems to be spinning, these are important warning signs of a possible concussion.
Blurred vision, double vision, or sensitivity to light following a car accident can all indicate a brain injury.
Also known as tinnitus, persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears after a crash can be associated with concussions.
Not all concussions are apparent right away. Symptoms can be delayed by several hours or days after the initial injury. That delay is one of the most dangerous aspects of concussions, since victims may decline medical treatment at the scene. Here are some delayed symptoms to watch for over time.
If your headache becomes more severe over time rather than improving, or if it goes away but then returns, this could indicate brain trauma.
Difficulty remembering events after the accident, forgetting conversations, or experiencing general "brain fog" are concerning signs that may appear days after the crash.
Sleeping much more or much less than usual, difficulty falling asleep, or feeling unusually fatigued are common delayed concussion symptoms.
Increased irritability, anxiety, depression, or mood swings that develop in the days or weeks following your accident may be related to a concussion.
Struggling to concentrate, feeling mentally sluggish, or having trouble processing information are delayed symptoms that often worsen when you try to return to work or normal activities.
Developing heightened sensitivity to bright lights or loud sounds days after the accident can indicate a concussion.
Slurred speech, difficulty forming words, or inability to form coherent sentences that develop after the initial accident period warrant immediate medical evaluation.
While most concussions don't require a trip to the emergency room, certain symptoms indicate a potentially serious brain injury that needs immediate medical attention, including:
These symptoms could indicate more serious complications such as brain bleeding, swelling, or a skull fracture. If you notice any of these danger signs, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Do not wait to see if they improve on their own. Get help immediately.
While most concussions don't require a trip to the emergency room, certain symptoms indicate a potentially serious brain injury that needs immediate medical attention, including:
These symptoms could indicate more serious complications such as brain bleeding, swelling, or a skull fracture. If you notice any of these danger signs, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Do not wait to see if they improve on their own. Get help immediately.
If you suspect a brain injury, never adopt a wait-and-see approach. Schedule an appointment with your doctor within one to two days of noticing symptoms, even if they seem mild. If you're experiencing any red flag symptoms like severe headaches, repeated vomiting, or profound confusion, go to the emergency room immediately.
Keep a detailed journal of what you're experiencing. Write down when each symptom started, how severe it is, and how it affects your daily activities. Journaling will help your doctor understand your condition, and could also provide crucial evidence if you decide to pursue compensation.
Don't downplay your symptoms to doctors, family members, or insurance adjusters. Some people feel pressure to minimize their injuries or push through symptoms to get back to normal life as quickly as possible. Pushing aside symptoms can be dangerous for your health and harmful to your legal rights. Be honest about any difficulties you’re facing.
Once diagnosed, your doctor will likely recommend physical and cognitive rest. This typically means limiting screen time, avoiding strenuous activities, and reducing mentally demanding tasks. Don't rush back to work or normal activities before your healthcare provider clears you. Ignoring your doctor’s advice puts you at risk and could complicate future legal action.
Under Minnesota law, you must notify your insurance company of accidents resulting in injury or property damage exceeding $1,000. Report your concussion symptoms even if they developed after you initially reported the accident.
Because concussion symptoms aren’t as visible as other injuries, insurance companies often attempt to downplay or dismiss them. Protect yourself with the right legal support in your corner. An experienced SiebenCarey car, truck, or motorcycle accident attorney can:
Even though concussions are often classified as "mild" traumatic brain injuries, this terminology can be misleading. For victims dealing with persistent symptoms, the effects are anything but mild. Minnesota state law recognizes that concussions and other traumatic brain injuries deserve serious consideration in personal injury claims.
Under Minnesota's no-fault insurance system, you're required to file a claim with your own insurance company first, regardless of who caused the accident. Your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage should pay for initial medical expenses and lost wages.
However, if your injuries are serious enough, you can step outside the no-fault system and pursue additional compensation from the at-fault driver.
In Minnesota, you can seek compensation for a wide range of damages, including:
The financial impact of a head injury can be devastating. Your attorney will take this into account when calculating the value of your claim.
You typically have six years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for injuries in Minnesota. However, the sooner you speak to a lawyer at SiebenCarey, the better. Evidence vanishes, memories fade, and building a case only becomes harder with time.
Emergency departments miss up to half of concussion diagnoses because symptoms can be subtle and there's often no visible injury. Insurance companies can exploit this, arguing that delayed symptoms aren't related to the accident or that victims are exaggerating. Experienced legal representation is all the more important for concussion cases.
At SiebenCarey, we've spent over 70 years fighting for injured Minnesotans. We understand the medical complexities of concussion cases and know how to counter insurance company tactics with thorough investigation, expert medical testimony, and compelling evidence.
With offices in Minneapolis, Lakeville, and Duluth, we serve accident victims throughout Minnesota. We also work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win your case.
If you or a loved one is experiencing concussion symptoms after a car accident, contact SiebenCarey today at 1-800-4-RIGHTS (1-800-474-4487) for a free consultation. We're available 24/7 to protect your rights while you focus on recovery.
No, you should not drive for at least 24 to 48 hours after a concussion. Even if you feel fine, concussion symptoms can impair your reaction time, concentration, and decision-making abilities. Research shows that people who believe they've fully recovered from a concussion still drive unpredictably, similar to intoxicated drivers. Don't get behind the wheel until your doctor has medically cleared you to drive.
Yes, you can. In fact, loss of consciousness occurs in less than 10% of concussion cases. The absence of unconsciousness doesn't mean your brain wasn't injured. Watch for other symptoms like headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, or sensitivity to light and sound.
Most people recover from a concussion within two to four weeks. However, recovery time varies significantly from person to person. Some individuals experience symptoms for only a few days, while others develop post-concussion syndrome with symptoms lasting months or longer. Several factors can affect the recovery timeline, such as:
Yes, concussion symptoms can worsen if you don't rest properly or if you return to normal activities too quickly. Symptoms may also appear or intensify days or weeks after the initial injury. That is why it's so important to follow your doctor's recovery plan and avoid rushing back to work, sports, or other demanding activities before you're medically cleared.
A concussion is the initial brain injury, while post-concussion syndrome occurs when symptoms persist beyond the normal recovery period, typically longer than two months. Post-concussion syndrome can include:
Under Minnesota's no-fault insurance system, your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage should pay for your initial medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who caused the accident. If your medical bills exceed $4,000, or if you suffer permanent injury or long-term disability, you may be able to step outside the no-fault system and pursue additional compensation from the at-fault driver.
Not necessarily. While you should seek medical attention within 24 to 48 hours of a suspected concussion, most cases don't require emergency room treatment. However, go to the ER immediately if you experience red flag symptoms.
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