Delayed Concussion Symptoms After a Car Accident: Headaches, Memory Loss and More

Delayed concussion symptoms are common after a car accident: you may feel fine at the scene and only notice headaches, memory problems or trouble sleeping hours or days later. The CDC says that some concussion symptoms “may appear right away, while others may not appear for hours or days after the injury.” If you were in a crash in or around Tustin and something feels off, get checked, and know that a delayed diagnosis doesn’t mean you can’t bring a brain injury claim.

Here’s what to watch for, which symptoms need emergency care, and what delayed symptoms mean for an insurance claim.

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The CDC describes it as an injury “caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth.”

You don’t have to hit your head. MedlinePlus notes that the jolting movement of the head and brain, “often called ‘whiplash’,” can “stretch and damage brain cells.” That’s why rear-end collisions cause concussions even when your head never touched anything. If neck pain came with your symptoms, my post on the long-term effects of whiplash is worth reading too.

Most people who have a concussion don’t lose consciousness, and a person can have a mild TBI and not realize it.

Concussion symptoms to watch for in adults

The CDC groups adult concussion symptoms into four kinds. Any of them can show up late:

Physical

• Bothered by light or noise
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Feeling tired, no energy
• Headaches
• Nausea or vomiting (early on)
• Vision problems

Thinking and remembering

• Attention or concentration problems
• Feeling slowed down
• Foggy or groggy
• Problems with short- or long-term memory
• Trouble thinking clearly

Social or emotional

• Anxiety or nervousness
• Irritability or easily angered
• Feeling more emotional
• Sadness

Sleep

• Sleeping less than usual
• Sleeping more than usual
• Trouble falling asleep

Symptoms can also change over time. The CDC notes that “a week or two after your injury you may notice you feel more emotional than usual or have trouble sleeping.”

Danger signs: go to the emergency room

Some symptoms mean you need emergency care right away. The CDC warns that, in rare cases, a dangerous blood clot can form, and someone should call 9-1-1 or take you to an emergency department if you:

• Have a headache that gets worse and does not go away
• Experience weakness, numbness, decreased coordination, convulsions, or seizures
• Vomit repeatedly
• Have slurred speech or unusual behavior
• Have one pupil (the black part in the middle of the eye) larger than the other
• Cannot recognize people or places, get confused, restless, or agitated
• Lose consciousness, look very drowsy or cannot be woken up

MedlinePlus adds that such a clot can form “a day or two after a head injury,” which is another reason not to dismiss symptoms that appear later.

Headaches after a car accident

A headache after a crash can be a concussion symptom, not just stress. Headaches are on the CDC’s list of physical symptoms, and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) notes that headache, dizziness, confusion and fatigue “tend to start immediately after an injury but resolve over time.”

Call your doctor if a headache keeps getting worse, lasts a long time or doesn’t improve with over-the-counter pain relievers. A headache that gets worse and doesn’t go away is one of the emergency danger signs above.

Memory loss after a car accident

Memory problems are one of the most common thinking symptoms of a concussion. The CDC lists “problems with short- or long-term memory,” and NINDS lists “problems remembering, concentrating, or making decisions.” MedlinePlus describes memory loss (amnesia) “of events before the injury or right after,” and a feeling of having “lost time.”

After a crash, people often blame these gaps on shock. In practice, memory loss can look like:

• not remembering the moments before or after the impact
• forgetting appointments, conversations or what you went into a room for
• losing your place at work or struggling to follow instructions
• repeating questions you’ve already asked

If you notice this in yourself, or a family member notices it in you, tell your doctor and mention the accident.

Delayed symptoms in children

Children’s symptoms can also take time to show. The CDC’s HEADS UP program says concussion signs “may not show up right away—they may take hours or days to appear or be noticed.” If your child was in a crash, watch for changes in mood, sleep, attention and balance, and have a doctor check them if anything seems different.

Why scans can come back normal

A normal CT or MRI doesn’t rule out a concussion. MedlinePlus explains that “a concussion will not show up on imaging tests that take pictures of the brain.” Scans are used to look for more serious injuries, such as bleeding. Diagnosis usually rests on your symptoms and a doctor’s exam, so describing every symptom matters.

How long do concussion symptoms last?

Most people feel better within a few weeks, but not everyone. The CDC says most people with a concussion “feel better within a couple of weeks.” NINDS describes post-concussion syndrome as “symptoms that last for weeks or longer,” and in a small number of people symptoms don’t go away.

What delayed symptoms mean for your insurance claim

Insurers treat a gap between the crash and your first doctor visit as an opening. From my early career defending insurance companies, I know the argument well: if you didn’t complain of a headache for a week, something else must have caused it. The medical facts above answer that argument, but only if your records tell a clear story. To protect your claim:

• See a doctor as soon as symptoms appear, and tell them you were in a car accident.
• Keep a simple daily log of headaches, memory lapses, sleep and mood.
• Ask family or coworkers to note changes they see; their observations can support yours.
• Follow your treatment plan and keep every appointment.
• Don’t give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement about your health before you understand your injuries.

A concussion can affect work, school and family life, and if symptoms last, permanent injuries can increase the value of a claim. My guide to how car insurance companies handle accident claims explains what the adjuster does next. Even a minor-looking crash can cause serious back injuries as well.

Delayed concussion symptom FAQs

Can concussion symptoms show up days after a car accident?

Yes. The CDC says some symptoms may not appear for hours or days after the injury, and MedlinePlus says symptoms may start days or weeks later.

Can you get a concussion without hitting your head?

Yes. A hit to the body that makes the head and brain move rapidly back and forth, like the whiplash motion in a rear-end crash, can cause a concussion.

Why do I have memory loss after a car accident?

Memory problems are a common concussion symptom. They can include gaps around the crash itself and trouble with short- or long-term memory afterward. See a doctor and mention the accident.

How long do concussion symptoms last?

Most people feel better within a couple of weeks. Some have symptoms for weeks or longer, which doctors call post-concussion syndrome.

Talk to a Tustin brain injury lawyer

If you’re dealing with headaches, memory problems or other symptoms after a crash, get medical care first. Then call me at (714) 461-6003 or request a free consultation. You’ll work directly with me, and under my No Recovery, No Fee Guarantee you pay nothing unless I recover compensation for you. Learn more about how I handle traumatic brain injury cases in Tustin.