A concussion can affect far more than the first few days after a car accident. Some people continue to experience headaches, dizziness, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, sensitivity to light or noise, and emotional changes for weeks or months after the initial injury. When those symptoms persist, a doctor may diagnose post-concussion syndrome or persistent post-concussive symptoms.
The CDC notes that concussion symptoms can affect how a person feels, thinks, acts, and sleeps, and some symptoms may not appear until hours or days after the injury. In Schaumburg, where serious crashes occur on busy roads such as Golf Road, Higgins Road, Schaumburg Road, Barrington Road, and nearby Route 53, I see how a seemingly routine collision can result in neurological symptoms that interfere with work, family responsibilities, driving, and everyday life.
Post-concussion syndrome generally refers to concussion-related symptoms that continue longer than expected after a mild traumatic brain injury. Most people improve within days or weeks, but the CDC recognizes that some individuals experience symptoms for months or longer and may be evaluated for post-concussive syndrome when symptoms persist.
The condition can be particularly frustrating because a person may look physically normal while dealing with significant cognitive and neurological problems. Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, memory difficulties, concentration problems, irritability, sleep disturbances, and sensitivity to light or sound can make ordinary activities difficult.
A car accident claim involving post-concussion syndrome therefore requires careful documentation. I look not only at the initial emergency treatment but also at how symptoms developed and continued over time.
A person does not necessarily need to strike their head against a steering wheel, window, or dashboard to sustain a concussion. Rapid acceleration and deceleration can cause the brain to move inside the skull during a collision.
Rear-end crashes, side-impact collisions, head-on accidents, rollover crashes, pedestrian accidents, and motorcycle collisions can all create forces capable of causing a traumatic brain injury. Symptoms may appear immediately, but they may also become more noticeable later.
This delayed onset can create problems when an insurance company argues that the injury must not have been serious because the person did not report every symptom at the scene. The CDC specifically recognizes that some concussion symptoms may appear hours or days after the injury.
Post-concussion syndrome may interfere with a person’s ability to work, drive, read, use computers, care for children, exercise, or participate in normal social activities.
Someone who previously worked long hours may suddenly struggle to concentrate for even short periods. Another person may develop headaches when looking at computer screens or become dizzy while driving. Memory problems can interfere with appointments, work assignments, and routine tasks.
These limitations matter in an injury claim because compensation is not based only on diagnostic testing. I also examine how the injury has affected the person’s daily functioning, employment, independence, and quality of life.
Insurance companies frequently challenge brain injury claims because the symptoms may not always appear on standard imaging studies. A normal CT scan or MRI does not necessarily mean that a person did not sustain a concussion.
The insurer may argue that headaches, fatigue, memory difficulties, or concentration problems are unrelated to the accident. It may also suggest that the symptoms are exaggerated or caused by stress, age, prior medical conditions, or another explanation.
I address these arguments through medical records, diagnostic evaluations, specialist treatment, symptom history, employment records, family observations, and other evidence showing how the person’s condition changed after the collision.
Consistent medical documentation can be particularly important in a post-concussion syndrome claim.
A medical record showing complaints of headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, sleep disturbances, or sensitivity to light shortly after the crash may help establish the connection between the collision and the ongoing symptoms.
Follow-up care can also show whether symptoms continued despite treatment. Depending on the circumstances, treatment may involve a primary care physician, neurologist, neuropsychologist, vestibular therapist, physical therapist, or other healthcare professional.
The CDC advises people to contact a healthcare provider when symptoms do not resolve within two to three weeks or worsen after returning to normal activities.
Yes. Losing consciousness is not required for a concussion or post-concussion syndrome. A person may remain awake throughout the collision and still sustain a mild traumatic brain injury. Symptoms such as headaches, confusion, dizziness, memory problems, nausea, light sensitivity, or concentration difficulties may develop afterward. The important issue is the medical evidence showing that the symptoms are consistent with a concussion and began after the accident.
A normal imaging study does not automatically eliminate a concussion claim. Many concussions do not produce structural abnormalities that appear on routine CT or MRI testing. Insurance companies may nevertheless emphasize normal imaging when attempting to minimize the claim. I look at the complete medical record, including symptoms, neurological evaluations, treatment history, and functional limitations rather than relying on one test result.
Delayed symptoms are possible after a concussion. The CDC recognizes that some symptoms may not appear for hours or days after the injury. This is why it is important to report new symptoms to a healthcare provider and explain when they began. A documented progression of headaches, dizziness, cognitive changes, or other problems can help establish the connection to the accident.
Depending on the circumstances, damages may include medical expenses, future medical treatment, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, disability, and other losses caused by the injury. The value of the claim depends heavily on how long the symptoms persist and how severely they affect the person’s work and daily life.
A prior concussion does not automatically prevent you from bringing a claim. The key question is whether the new accident caused a new injury or aggravated an existing condition. Prior medical records may be important because they show your condition before the crash and can help distinguish old symptoms from new or worsened symptoms.
If you continue to experience headaches, dizziness, memory problems, concentration difficulties, sleep disturbances, or other neurological symptoms after a car accident, I can review the circumstances of the collision and the effect the injury has had on your life. Post-concussion syndrome claims often require careful medical documentation because the symptoms can be significant even when diagnostic imaging appears normal.
If you or a family member developed post-concussion syndrome after a car accident, call our Schaumburg car crash attorney at SJ INJURY LAW by calling (847) 434-3555 to receive your free consultation. I can evaluate the accident, review the medical history, address insurance company arguments concerning causation or prior conditions, and pursue compensation for the losses connected to the injury.
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