You might’ve walked away from the car crash thinking you were lucky. But now the headaches won’t stop. You’re forgetting things. You’re tired all the time, snapping at people you love. Something’s off, and you’re starting to wonder if the accident did more than just shake you up.
A car accident and brain injury don’t always look connected at first. Brain injuries aren’t always visible and don’t always show up on a scan. And they don’t always get taken seriously right away — not by doctors, not by insurers, and not even by the people living with them.
If someone else caused the crash, you may have legal options. But first, you need to understand how car accidents can cause brain injuries and what symptoms you shouldn’t ignore.
How Car Accidents Cause Brain Injuries
Brain injuries can occur in any type of motor vehicle crash, including rear-end collisions, rollovers, T-bone crashes, pedestrian accidents, and motorcycle accidents. These injuries are not always visible right away and may not be obvious at the scene. In many cases, the brain is damaged by the rapid movement inside the skull rather than a direct blow.
Most brain injuries from car accidents are classified as closed head injuries, meaning the skull isn’t broken, but the brain is injured from internal movement or impact. Penetrating injuries, where an object enters the skull, are less common in vehicle crashes but can be extremely serious.
Common causes of brain injuries in car accidents include:
- Sudden deceleration or impact that causes the brain to strike the inside of the skull
- Ejection from the vehicle
- Contact with hard surfaces such as windows, dashboards, or steering wheels
- Debris or objects hitting the head
While some brain injuries may be mild and temporary, others can lead to permanent disability or death. Don’t delay getting medical attention, even if you initially feel fine. Because these injuries aren’t always visible right away, it’s important to know what symptoms might show up in the hours, days, or even weeks after the crash.
Symptoms That May Point to a Brain Injury
If you’ve been in a car accident, don’t ignore any of the following symptoms. They could be signs of a concussion, moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI), or severe brain damage:
- Headaches or migraines
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Memory loss or confusion
- Slurred speech
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Nausea or vomiting
- Mood swings or personality changes
- Sleep disturbances
- Blurred vision
Some symptoms like speech problems or coordination issues may be immediately visible. Others, such as changes in personality, impulse control, or emotional stability, are harder to pinpoint but just as real. These changes can strain relationships and may only be noticed by close family members or coworkers over time.
A mild TBI may heal with time and rest, but more serious cases may require long-term medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care from neurologists or other medical professionals.
Types of Brain Injuries After a Car Accident
If you’re noticing any of those symptoms, it may be linked to one of the following types of brain injuries commonly seen in car accidents:
- Diffuse axonal injury (DAI): A severe form of brain injury where the brain rapidly shifts inside the skull, causing nerve fibers to stretch or tear. DAI is common in high-speed crashes and can lead to unconsciousness or permanent impairment.
- Contusions: Bruising of the brain tissue, often caused by direct impact or the brain hitting the inside of the skull. These can develop immediately or hours after the accident.
- Hematomas: Bleeding in or around the brain. These include subdural (beneath the skull), epidural (between the skull and outer brain membrane), and intracerebral (inside brain tissue) hematomas — all of which can be life-threatening without treatment.
- Post-traumatic dementia: In some cases, a single severe TBI may increase the risk of long-term cognitive decline or memory loss. Repeated injuries have also been linked to conditions like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative disease affecting memory, behavior, and reasoning.
These injuries require prompt diagnosis and consistent follow-up care.
How Brain Injuries Can Affect Your Life
A brain injury can affect nearly every part of your daily life. Depending on the severity, you may face:
- Temporary or permanent cognitive impairments
- Loss of income due to time off work or inability to return
- Ongoing rehabilitation costs
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Changes in relationships and family roles
- Increased risk of complications such as blood clots or seizures
In the most severe cases, traumatic brain injuries may lead to wrongful death. If you’ve lost a loved one due to brain trauma caused by a car accident, you may have the right to pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim.
In addition to the initial trauma, brain injuries often involve secondary effects that unfold in the hours or days after the crash. These can include swelling, increased pressure inside the skull, or reduced blood flow in certain areas of the brain, all of which can complicate recovery and increase the risk of long-term damage.
One Teen’s Story After a Severe Brain Injury
In one widely reported case, a 15-year-old girl named Courtnie Bush was left in a coma after a devastating car accident. Doctors said there was no brain activity. But 22 days later, Courtnie woke up. She eventually went on to graduate from high school, a milestone that once seemed impossible.
Stories like Courtnie’s are rare but powerful. They remind us of the unpredictable nature of traumatic brain injuries — how no two cases are the same, and how important immediate medical care, support, and long-term treatment can be. They also highlight why legal action may be needed to access the financial resources families need during the most difficult times of their lives.
What to Do After a Car Accident with Potential Brain Injury
Brain injuries affect everyone differently. Some people may walk away from a crash with mild symptoms that worsen over time. Others, like Courtnie Bush, may lose consciousness on impact. If a brain injury is suspected, immediate medical care is critical.
- Coordinating follow-up care and medical appointments
- Documenting any changes in speech, memory, mood, or motor skills
- Preserving evidence related to the crash, including police reports and photos
- Keeping a record of how the injury affects daily life or ability to work
If the accident was caused by someone else, it may be time to speak with a New Jersey brain injury lawyer. In many cases, legal action is the only way to recover compensation for ongoing medical expenses, lost income, and long-term care.
What a New Jersey Injury Lawyer Can Do
Working with a brain injury lawyer gives you the chance to focus on recovery while someone else builds your legal case. An attorney can:
- Investigate how the injury occurred
- Work with medical providers to understand the full impact of your injury
- Gather evidence to support your claim
- Deal with the insurance company
- Pursue maximum compensation through negotiation or litigation
Brain injury cases can be challenging to prove, especially when the symptoms aren’t outwardly visible. An attorney may rely on medical evaluations, standardized testing, and testimony from people who knew you before and after the injury to show how your life has changed.
Struggling After a Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury can turn your life upside down, even if you look fine on the outside. Headaches. Fatigue. Memory lapses. Mood changes. These aren’t just symptoms; they’re signs something deeper may be wrong.
And if your injury was caused by a negligent driver, it’s time to speak with someone who takes your concerns seriously. At The Law Offices of Peter N. Davis & Associates, we’ve handled brain injury cases across New Jersey for more than 30 years. You’ll talk directly with an attorney who understands how brain injuries affect your health, your work, and your future, and who knows how to build a case that reflects what you’re dealing with.
Your online search for a “brain injury attorney near me” brought you here. Now take the next step. Call (973) 279-7246(973) 279-7246 or fill out our confidential online form to schedule your free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to talk about your case and explain how legal action could support your recovery and long-term care.
Injured in New Jersey? Peter’s got your back!”
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The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
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Lodi, NJ 07644
(973) 279-7246(973) 279-7246
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