Partner at AKD Lawyers
Practice Areas: Insurance Claims
A brain injury is not always obvious after a car accident. You may leave the scene feeling shaken but otherwise fine. Then, hours or days later, headaches, dizziness, confusion, or memory problems may begin.
Knowing what to watch for can help you get care before the injury becomes worse. It can also protect the medical record tied to your claim. This guide covers how brain injuries happen, common warning signs, treatment, recovery, and the Louisiana laws that may apply. It also explains what an experienced New Orleans car accident lawyer would want you to know early in the process.
What Happens to the Brain in a Crash
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, happens when a sudden hit or jolt affects normal brain function. Your head does not have to strike the dashboard or window. The force of the crash alone can make the brain move or twist inside the skull. That movement may bruise brain tissue, stretch nerves, or tear small blood vessels.
Common crash-related brain injuries include:
- Concussion: A mild TBI that may cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, or trouble focusing
- Contusion: Bruising of the brain that may lead to swelling
- Diffuse axonal injury: Nerve damage caused by strong shaking or rotation of the head
- Hematoma: Bleeding in or around the brain that can raise pressure inside the skull
A TBI can happen even in a low-speed crash. That is why it is wise to get checked after a hard jolt or head impact, even when you feel fine at first.
Warning Signs to Take Seriously
A brain injury can affect movement, memory, mood, and the senses. Some symptoms start at once. Others take hours or even days to appear.
Watch for:
- Physical symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, fatigue, or sensitivity to light and sound
- Thinking or mood changes: Confusion, memory gaps, poor concentration, anxiety, irritability, or sudden mood swings
- Sensory changes: Ringing in the ears or changes in taste and smell
These signs are easy to mistake for stress or general soreness after a crash. When something feels wrong, it is safer to get medical care.
Getting the Right Diagnosis
See a doctor as soon as possible after the crash. Adrenaline can hide pain, and some forms of bleeding may become more serious over time.
A doctor may check your balance, reflexes, memory, and other brain functions. A CT scan or MRI may also be used to look for swelling, bleeding, or other internal damage.
Early records help your medical team track changes in your condition. They also show when the symptoms began and connect them to the crash. The CDC reports that traumatic brain injuries contribute to about 190 deaths each day in the United States. Even what seems like a small bump deserves attention.
Treatment and Rehabilitation
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury. For a mild concussion, a doctor may recommend rest, fluids, less screen time, and close monitoring.
A moderate or severe TBI may require:
- Medication for pain, swelling, or seizures
- Surgery to stop bleeding or reduce pressure on the brain
- Physical, occupational, or cognitive therapy
- Rehabilitation for memory, balance, speech, or coordination
The emotional effects matter too. Anxiety, depression, frustration, and mood changes are common after a serious brain injury. Counseling or a support group may help during recovery.
Healing may take days, weeks, or months. Some people improve steadily, while others continue to have symptoms for much longer.
What a Brain Injury Can Cost
The cost of a brain injury often goes far beyond the first emergency room bill. A person may need follow-up scans, medication, therapy, specialist visits, or help with daily tasks.
Time away from work can also create financial strain. In more serious cases, the injury may reduce a person’s ability to return to the same job or work at all.
Keep copies of medical bills, prescriptions, travel expenses, pay records, and other documents tied to the injury. It also helps to note how the symptoms affect sleep, work, family life, and normal activities. Our guide to the most common car accident injuries explains how brain trauma compares with other injuries seen after a crash.
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Louisiana Legal Considerations
Louisiana’s fault rules can affect how much compensation is available. For crashes on or after January 1, 2026, the state follows modified comparative fault under La. Civ. Code art. 2323.
Your recovery is reduced by your share of fault. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover compensation. Crashes before January 1, 2026, follow the former pure comparative fault rule.
The filing deadline also changed. For crashes on or after July 1, 2024, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit under La. Civ. Code art. 3493.11.
Brain injury symptoms may take time to appear, but waiting can still create problems. Medical records, crash evidence, and witness memories are often easier to preserve when action is taken early.
Prevention and Awareness
A few basic safety steps may reduce the risk of a brain injury:
- Wear a seat belt on every trip
- Set the headrest at the correct height
- Leave enough space between your vehicle and the one ahead
- Use properly installed child seats and age-appropriate restraints
Do not ignore confusion, dizziness, or a headache after a crash. A medical check may catch an injury that is not visible from the outside.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the early signs of a brain injury after a car accident?
Common signs include headaches, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, nausea, memory problems, and sensitivity to light or sound. Symptoms may start at once or appear over the next few days.
Can I have a brain injury without hitting my head?
Yes. The force of a crash can make the brain move inside the skull. This can cause injury even when your head does not strike anything.
How long does recovery from a mild TBI take?
Many mild concussions improve within days or weeks. Recovery is different for each person, and some symptoms may last longer. Follow your doctor’s advice and report any changes.
Why are medical records important after a head injury?
They help doctors track your condition and show when the symptoms began. They may also help connect the brain injury to the crash.
What is the deadline for filing a brain injury claim in Louisiana?
For crashes on or after July 1, 2024, the general deadline is two years from the date of injury under La. Civ. Code art. 3493.11. The exact deadline may depend on the facts of the case.
Talk to a New Orleans Car Accident Lawyer
A brain injury can affect your health, work, finances, and daily life. If you or someone in your family suffered a head injury in a crash, Alvendia, Kelly & Demarest Law Firm can explain the options available under Louisiana law.
Call (504) 200-0000 for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win. Contact us today.
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In 2003, after being dissatisfied with the quality of legal care for victims of car accidents, Roderick ‘Rico’ Alvendia sought to establish a new firm focused on providing high-quality legal services to aid injured victims and their families. J. Bart Kelly, sharing Rico’s passion for upholding justice, joined the firm later that year, and established a partnership.
