What To Do After a Car Crash Head Injury [2025 Guide]

Seek Immediate Medical Attention, Even If You Feel “Fine”

Head injuries can be deceptive.

After a car accident, adrenaline and shock may temporarily mask symptoms, leading many victims to believe they are unharmed.

Brain injuries often present delayed symptoms that may worsen without treatment.

That’s why seeking immediate medical care is non-negotiable after any car crash involving head impact, jarring motions, or whiplash.

Medical professionals can evaluate for signs of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion, or internal bleeding that may not be visible externally.

If necessary, they may perform imaging tests such as CT scans or MRIs to rule out serious damage.

Early detection and intervention can be life-saving and may prevent long-term complications.

Even if you feel “just a little dazed” or “okay for now,” do not wait.

Ignoring even minor symptoms could lead to more severe outcomes later on.

Your health is the top priority, and early documentation will also be vital if you pursue a legal claim.

Common Types of Head Injuries After a Car Accident

Car crashes are a leading cause of head and brain trauma, with injuries ranging from mild concussions to life-threatening, permanent brain damage.

Some of the most common types of head injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents include:

• Concussions
• Contusions
• Skull Fractures
• Hematomas
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
• Diffuse Axonal Injuries

Concussions

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or a sudden jolt that causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull.

Symptoms may include confusion, headaches, dizziness, nausea, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating.

Even mild concussions can affect mood and cognitive function for days or weeks.

Contusions

Contusions are bruises on the brain tissue, typically resulting from a direct impact to the head.

Depending on severity, contusions may cause swelling, loss of consciousness, or changes in mental status.

In some cases, surgery may be needed to reduce pressure within the skull.

Skull Fractures

A skull fracture involves a break in one of the bones of the skull.

These injuries can be open or closed and may be accompanied by brain injury or bleeding.

Signs include visible wounds, fluid leakage from the ears or nose, and bruising around the eyes or behind the ears.

Hematomas

A hematoma is a pooling of blood outside of blood vessels, often caused by trauma.

Brain hematomas (such as subdural or epidural hematomas) can be particularly dangerous, as they increase pressure on the brain.

These may develop over hours or days, underscoring the importance of continuous monitoring.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

TBIs vary in severity (from mild to moderate or severe TBI) and involve disruption in normal brain function.

Symptoms may include prolonged unconsciousness, persistent headaches, cognitive deficits, and emotional instability due to how TBI disrupts brain cells.

Severe TBIs can result in permanent disability or cessation of measurable activity in the brain, which is called brain death.

Diffuse Axonal Injuries

This type of injury occurs when the brain rapidly shifts inside the skull, tearing nerve fibers or axons.

It’s common in high-speed collisions and often results in significant brain damage, coma, or long-term cognitive impairment.

Delayed Symptoms To Watch For

Many head injuries don’t show symptoms right away.

Signs in the hours or days after a crash to look out for include:

• Confusion or disorientation
• Dizziness or balance issues
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Memory lapses
• Mood swings or irritability
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical care, even if you’ve already seen a doctor.

What To Do After a Head Injury in a Car Accident

After a car crash, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed, especially if a head injury is involved.

But taking the right steps in the aftermath is essential to protect your health, preserve legal options, and ensure you receive appropriate care and compensation.

Whether you’re dealing with mild head injuries or more severe injuries, following important actions is important.

Steps to take after a head injury includes:

1. Get Emergency Medical Care
2. Request Diagnostic Imaging
3. Document Symptoms and Medical Treatment
4. Notify Insurance Providers and Preserve Evidence
5. Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

1. Get Emergency Medical Care

Your first priority should be your health.

Even if symptoms are subtle or delayed, head injuries can escalate quickly.

Call 911 or visit the emergency room immediately after the accident.

A healthcare provider can evaluate your condition and determine whether you’re dealing with a concussion, brain bleed, or skull fracture.

For mild head injuries, doctors may recommend observation, rest, and follow-up care.

For severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or hematomas, hospitalization or surgery may be necessary.

Regardless of severity, early treatment improves recovery outcomes and creates an official medical record that supports your legal case.

2. Request Diagnostic Imaging

Head injuries aren’t always visible.

That’s why diagnostic imaging — such as CT scans or MRIs — is often crucial after a crash.

These tests allow doctors to detect bleeding, swelling, fractures, or internal damage that might not show up in a basic physical exam.

If your symptoms include vomiting, dizziness, memory issues, or loss of consciousness, insist on further testing.

Imaging results not only guide treatment decisions but can also serve as valuable evidence if you later pursue a personal injury claim.

3. Document Symptoms and Medical Treatment

Keep a detailed journal of your symptoms starting immediately after the crash.

Record changes in mood, sleep patterns, headaches, memory lapses, or emotional difficulties.

Document every doctor visit, test result, and prescribed treatment plan, including physical therapy, medication, or neuropsychological evaluations.

This documentation helps establish a timeline of how the injury has affected your daily life.

It also strengthens your legal case by proving that your condition has had a measurable and ongoing impact on your health and well-being.

4. Notify Insurance Providers and Preserve Evidence

Report the accident to your insurance company, but proceed with caution.

Avoid making definitive statements about your condition until you’ve seen a doctor and consulted legal counsel.

Insurance adjusters often try to minimize payouts, especially for head injuries, where symptoms may not be immediately obvious.

Preserve all relevant evidence, including:

• Photos of the crash scene and vehicle damage
• Medical bills and hospital records
• Witness statements
• Police reports
• Correspondence with insurance companies

If possible, save any personal items damaged in the crash, such as broken glasses or bloodied clothing, as they may help illustrate the severity of the impact.

5. Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

Understanding what to do in the aftermath of a car accident involving a head injury can be complex, especially when symptoms evolve over time.

A personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and options, assess the full extent of your damages, and handle negotiations with insurers.

TorHoerman Law has extensive experience representing clients with both mild head injuries and severe injuries caused by car accidents.

Our team works to secure compensation for hospital expenses, lost wages, and more.

An experienced attorney can also connect you with trusted medical experts and specialists, ensuring your injuries are thoroughly evaluated and treated.

Don’t wait to seek legal counsel.

In many states, there’s a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit, and early legal intervention often leads to better outcomes.

Long-Term Effects of Brain Injuries

Head and brain injuries from car accidents can result in lasting consequences that affect every aspect of a person’s life.

Even a mild TBI can have lingering effects that require months of recovery, while more serious injuries may result in permanent disability, complete change in daily functioning, or even death.

Victims often experience persistent TBI symptoms including:

• Memory problems
• Mood swings
• Difficulty concentrating
• Severe headaches
• Disrupted sleep

These symptoms can hinder a person’s ability to work, care for their family, or manage daily tasks.

In some cases, individuals find it difficult to maintain personal relationships due to behavioral or personality changes.

In children and infants, the effects of brain trauma can be especially complex.

A head injury may disrupt developmental milestones and lead to changes in eating or nursing habits, irritability, or delayed language and motor skills.

Because children’s brains are still developing, even a mild TBI should be taken very seriously.

Long-term treatment may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling.

Victims may also need academic or workplace accommodations to cope with cognitive impairments.

The emotional toll, such as anxiety, depression, and frustration, adds another layer to the recovery process.

These impacts aren’t just temporary inconveniences — they often reshape the course of a person’s life.

That’s why documenting symptoms, following through with medical care, and pursuing compensation are so important after a brain injury.

Early intervention and a structured recovery plan can make a significant difference in long-term quality of life.

Legal Options for Seeking Compensation After a Brain Injury

If you or a loved one suffer a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence — such as a reckless driver, a distracted motorist, or a defective vehicle — you have the right to pursue legal compensation.

A personal injury claim or lawsuit can help recover financial losses and hold the at-fault party accountable.

Personal injury compensation may include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation costs and ongoing treatment
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and reduced quality of life

If the accident involved gross negligence or intentional harm, punitive damages may also be awarded.

To file a personal injury claim, it’s important to act quickly.

Illinois, for example, has a two-year statute of limitations.

Waiting too long can bar you from recovering any damages.

A successful case hinges on strong evidence.

It’s critical to have copies of medical records detailing your symptoms, imaging scans showing brain damage, proof of treatment, and documentation of how the accident and secondary injuries have affected your life.

Working with a knowledgeable attorney increases your chances of receiving fair compensation.

TorHoerman Law can help you evaluate your case, gather the necessary evidence, and build a compelling claim.

Our attorneys understand the nuances of brain injury litigation and will fight to secure the full value of your claim, so you can focus on healing.

If an insurance company is offering a quick settlement, be cautious.

These offers are often lower than what your case is worth, especially when long-term symptoms and care needs are involved.

An experienced lawyer will negotiate on your behalf to ensure you’re not left with unpaid bills or unmet care needs.

How Our Car Crash Head Injury Lawyers Can Help

At TorHoerman Law, we understand how overwhelming it is to deal with a head injury after a car crash, especially when you’re facing medical uncertainty, financial strain, and the stress of insurance negotiations.

Our firm is dedicated to helping accident victims and their families navigate the legal process and secure the compensation they need to recover physically, emotionally, and financially.

Whether your injury involves a closed head injury or a more severe TBI, our legal team will investigate every aspect of your case.

We work with medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries, including worsening symptoms that may not appear until days or weeks after the crash, and we help identify any risk factors that may complicate recovery, such as pre-existing conditions or past sports injuries.

Our services include:

• Conducting a thorough liability investigation
• Reviewing police reports and accident reconstructions
• Gathering medical records and physician assessments
• Calculating current and future damages, including lost income, medical costs, and pain and suffering
• Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies
• Preparing a strong case for trial if necessary

We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.

This allows you to focus on recovery without the burden of upfront legal fees.

Our goal is to make high-quality legal representation accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation or degree of fault.

TorHoerman Law: Contact Our Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys

A head injury after a car crash can change your life, but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone.

At TorHoerman Law, we’re here to help you understand your legal rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one has suffered a head or brain injury, contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and take the first step toward recovery.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify immediately.