Meredith W. Germain | September 9, 2026 | Car Accidents
A car accident can cause a head injury even if your head never hits the steering wheel, window, or dashboard. The sudden force of a crash can make the brain move inside the skull. This may cause a concussion or another traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Some head injuries are mild and improve with proper care. Others can cause serious or lasting problems. Symptoms may also appear hours or days after the crash. Because it can be difficult to judge a head injury on your own, getting medical care after an accident is important.
What Are the Signs of a Head Injury?
Head injury symptoms can vary widely. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), concussion symptoms can affect how a person feels, thinks, sleeps, and acts.
Common symptoms after a car accident may include:
- Headaches or pressure in the head
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Blurred vision
- Nausea or vomiting
- Trouble remembering or concentrating
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Unusual tiredness
- Changes in mood or behavior
Even symptoms that seem minor should be taken seriously if they begin after a crash.
When Is a Head Injury an Emergency?
Certain symptoms may indicate a more severe brain injury that requires immediate medical attention. Generally, you should seek emergency help for danger signs such as a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, unusual confusion, slurred speech, weakness, or an inability to wake up.
Loss of consciousness is another warning sign. However, you do not have to lose consciousness to suffer a concussion or serious brain injury.
Call 911 or seek emergency care if symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening. Quick treatment can identify problems such as bleeding or swelling in the brain.
How Do Doctors Determine the Severity of a Head Injury?
Doctors may consider several factors when evaluating a head injury. They may ask whether you lost consciousness, experienced memory loss, or felt confused after the accident. A doctor can also check your balance, coordination, reflexes, vision, speech, and other brain functions.
Medical professionals may use standardized assessment tools to evaluate concussion symptoms. Depending on the circumstances, they may also use a CT scan or other imaging to look for bleeding, fractures, or other injuries. The CDC notes that imaging is not routinely needed for every mild TBI; doctors can use clinical decision rules to decide when it is appropriate.
Mild, Moderate, and Severe Head Injuries
Head injuries are often described as mild, moderate, or severe. A mild TBI can still cause significant symptoms, including headaches, confusion, memory difficulties, and problems completing everyday activities.
Moderate and severe brain injuries may involve longer periods of unconsciousness, major memory problems, seizures, or serious changes in physical and mental abilities.
The seriousness of an injury is not always clear immediately after a collision. Some symptoms develop later, and a person’s condition can change. This is one reason accident victims should follow their doctor’s instructions and attend follow-up appointments.
Protecting Your Health and Your Car Accident Claim
After receiving medical care, keep records related to your injury. These records may become important if another driver’s negligence caused the Marietta crash.
Useful evidence can include medical bills, test results, prescriptions, photographs, accident reports, and records showing missed work. Keep track of symptoms and how they affect your daily activities as well.
Georgia also limits how long injured people generally have to bring personal injury lawsuits. Georgia’s laws generally require that a lawsuit for personal injury be filed within two years. Speaking with an attorney early can help you understand which deadlines apply to your situation.
Contact the Marietta Car Accident Lawyers at Turner Ross Germain Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
A serious head injury can affect your health, career, finances, and family life. If someone else caused your car accident, you may have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other accident-related losses.
The Marietta car accident lawyers at Turner Ross Germain Personal Injury Lawyers can investigate your collision, gather evidence, review your medical records, and deal with insurance companies on your behalf. We can also determine the damages available based on the facts of your case.
Contact us today to discuss your accident, ask questions, and learn about your legal options.
We serve Marietta, East Cobb, Cobb County, and its surrounding areas in Georgia.
Turner Ross Germain, LLC
1501 Johnson Ferry Rd Unit 100, Marietta, GA 30062
(470) 260-4731
We’re available 24/7