Auto Accident Head Injury Guide

Auto accident head injuries range from mild head injuries like concussions to severe head injuries such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) or diffuse axonal injury. These injuries often affect brain function, physical ability, and emotional health. Whether obvious or subtle, head trauma requires prompt medical attention, as delays can lead to permanent damage or even death.

How Car Accidents Cause Head Injuries

Car accidents expose the body—and especially the head—to intense forces. A direct blow to the head from hitting a steering wheel, dashboard, or window can cause a closed head injury, skull fractures, or brain tissue damage.

Sudden acceleration or deceleration, like in a rear-end or head-on collision, can lead to a traumatic brain injury without any external wound, as the brain shifts and strikes the inside of the skull.

Rollover and T-bone crashes may involve sharp movements or penetrating wounds from shattered glass or debris. These injuries can result in axonal injury, coup and contrecoup injuries, or bleeding in the brain.

Types of Head Injuries in Car Accidents

Auto accident injuries to the head vary widely in severity.

A concussion is the most common type, caused by sudden movement of the brain, leading to symptoms like headache, confusion, dizziness, and memory issues.

Some victims develop Post-Concussion Syndrome, with symptoms lasting for weeks or longer.

Contusions are bruises on the brain tissue, often caused by coup, contrecoup, or coup-contrecoup injuries, where the brain hits one or both sides of the skull.

A diffuse axonal injury (DAI) involves the tearing of nerve fibers, often resulting in loss of consciousness, permanent damage, or coma.

Penetrating wounds can cause severe bleeding, infection, or even death.

Skull fractures may lead to clear fluid leaking, pressure buildup, or damage to blood vessels and brain tissue.

Symptoms of a Head Injury After a Car Crash

Signs of a head injury after a car accident can vary based on severity.

Mild head injuries may cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, blurred vision, fatigue, sensitivity to light, and mood swings. These symptoms might appear right away or develop over time.

Moderate to severe injuries can involve a persistent or worsening headache, loss of consciousness, slurred speech, seizures, clear fluid leaking from the ears or nose, unequal or dilated pupils, and, in severe cases, coma.

Some victims may experience convulsions, nerve damage, or problems with coordination, which may indicate severe brain damage and require immediate medical treatment.

The Importance of Immediate Medical Attention After a Car Accident

After a car crash, seeking immediate medical attention is critical, even if you feel fine or symptoms seem mild. Some head injury signs—such as confusion, nausea, or fatigue—may not appear immediately. Delayed symptoms can be just as dangerous, especially with conditions like TBI or diffuse axonal injury.

Early diagnosis allows medical professionals to begin treatment quickly and reduce the risk of permanent damage or secondary injuries. Visiting the emergency room also creates a clear medical record, which is essential if you need to file an injury claim or lawsuit later.

What to Expect at the Doctor or Emergency Room

When you visit a doctor or emergency room after a car accident, the first step is a physical exam to check for visible signs of a head injury, such as swelling, bruising, or clear fluid leaking from the nose or ears.

A neurological examination will assess memory, balance, coordination, and brain function.

Depending on your symptoms, the doctor may order imaging tests like a CT scan, MRI, or X-ray to detect skull fractures, brain tissue damage, blood clots, or internal bleeding. These tests help diagnose conditions such as TBI or axonal injury quickly and accurately.

How Long Does Recovery Take?

Recovery from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) depends on the severity of the head injury. Mild head injuries, such as concussions, may resolve within a few weeks, though some people experience lingering symptoms like headaches or mood swings for months.

Moderate TBIs can take several months of rest, medical treatment, and physical therapy.

A severe head injury, such as a diffuse axonal injury, may result in long-term or permanent damage, requiring ongoing treatment, prescription medications, and daily support. In some cases, a full recovery may not be possible, and the person may need lifelong care due to lasting brain function impairment.

Can a Head Injury Get Worse?

Yes, a head injury can worsen over time due to secondary brain injury—damage that develops after the initial trauma.

While the primary injury happens during the car accident, secondary injuries can result from swelling, bleeding, blood clots, reduced oxygen to the brain, or increased pressure inside the skull. These complications may cause further harm to brain tissue, nerve fibers, and blood vessels, leading to additional loss of brain function.

Long-Term Effects of Head Injuries

A severe head injury from a car accident can lead to lasting consequences that affect every part of life. Cognitive deficits may include problems with memory, concentration, and decision-making. Emotional and behavioral changes are also common, including depression, anxiety, mood swings, and irritability.

Some individuals experience physical impairments such as difficulty with coordination, balance, or motor control. Many live with chronic headaches or other forms of chronic pain.

Over time, a TBI may increase the risk of neurological disorders such as epilepsy or dementia. These effects can be permanent and require ongoing medical treatment and physical therapy.

The Role of Medical Documentation

Medical documentation plays a key role in proving the full impact of a head injury after a car accident. Records from the emergency room, treating physicians, and specialists help establish the existence and severity of the traumatic brain injury or other trauma.

Detailed notes, test results, and expert opinions also create a clear link between the car accident and the injury, which is essential for any personal injury claim or lawsuit. These records show the extent of your medical expenses, lost income, ongoing care needs, and pain and suffering, helping your Chicago car accident lawyer fight for full compensation.

Calculating Damages in a Head Injury Case

A head injury caused by a car accident can result in a wide range of damages, both financial and personal.

Compensation in these cases may cover medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgery, prescription medications, physical therapy, and long-term care. It can also include future medical treatment or rehabilitation costs, especially for those with lasting symptoms or permanent damage.

If the injury caused you to miss work, you may be entitled to recover lost wages and future loss of earning capacity.

Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced brain function are also considered, along with loss of enjoyment of life if you’re no longer able to take part in activities you once enjoyed. In cases leading to death, the victim’s spouse may be compensated for loss of consortium.

Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer After a Head Injury

After a head injury from a car accident, having a skilled Chicago personal injury lawyer on your side can make a significant difference. Head trauma cases are complex, especially when proving the seriousness of a TBI or linking it directly to the crash. A lawyer can handle the insurance company, gather medical records, consult experts, and build a strong case.

They’ll fight for full compensation by calculating all damages—medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. If a fair settlement isn’t offered, your attorney can file a personal injury lawsuit to protect your rights.

What if the Insurance Company Denies My Claim?

If the insurance company denies your injury claim after a car accident, it doesn’t mean you’re out of options. A denial could be based on disputed liability, lack of medical proof, or claims that your head injury isn’t serious.

An experienced lawyer can challenge the denial by gathering more substantial evidence, consulting medical experts, and negotiating directly with the insurer. If those efforts don’t lead to a fair resolution, your attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf. You don’t have to accept a denial—legal help can keep your case moving forward.

Illinois’ Comparative Negligence Laws

Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, injury compensation is affected by the concept of comparative negligence. If you suffer a head injury in a car accident but are found partially at fault, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of blame.

For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 but determined to be 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000. However, you can’t recover any damages if you’re more than 50% responsible.

What is My Head Injury Case Worth?

There’s no fixed amount for a head injury settlement because every case differs. The value of your injury claim depends on the severity of the head injury, how it affects your daily life, and the total cost of your medical care, lost wages, and long-term needs.

Cases involving severe head injury, permanent damage, or loss of independence often result in higher compensation. Emotional impact, pain and suffering, and future treatment all factor in.

A lawyer can evaluate your case, work with medical experts, and fight to ensure you’re fully compensated.

How Much Does a Brain Injury Attorney Cost?

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we represent brain injury victims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay anything upfront. We only get paid if we recover compensation through a settlement or lawsuit. Our fee is a percentage of the final recovery, agreed upon before we begin working on your case.

How Can an Attorney Help?

Hiring a personal injury lawyer after a car accident involving a head injury gives you the support and resources needed to protect your rights and build a strong case. An attorney can handle all communication with the insurance company, gather your medical records, consult with experts, and establish the connection between the car accident and your brain injury.

They’ll work to calculate the full extent of your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and anticipated future care. A lawyer can also negotiate for a fair settlement and, if necessary, file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf. If the insurance company tries to shift blame onto you, your attorney can challenge that under Illinois’ comparative negligence laws.

With experienced legal representation, you have a far better chance of recovering the full compensation you deserve.

Secure Expert Legal Counsel!

If you or a loved one suffered a head injury in a car accident, don’t wait to get the help you need. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our team has extensive experience handling traumatic brain injury and severe head injury cases, and we’re committed to compassionate, results-driven representation.

Call us today at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our online contact form to speak with a skilled personal injury lawyer.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.