Casey is a founding partner at River Run Law Group. Casey has tried numerous cases across the Commonwealth in both General District Court and Circuit Court. He has earned millions of dollars for his clients through trials, mediations, and settlements.
In the moments after a car crash, it’s normal to feel disoriented, but also relieved. If there’s no bleeding, no broken bones, and you can speak normally, it’s easy to think you’ve walked away unharmed. But not all injuries show up right away, especially in the brain.
Even a minor collision can cause the brain to shift inside the skull, leading to damage that isn’t immediately obvious. These brain injuries from car accidents often go unnoticed at first, but can lead to lasting damage if ignored. Brain trauma can affect memory, mood, movement, and basic daily function, sometimes for life. What starts as a mild headache or confusion can become more serious without proper care.
These are the six most common brain injuries from car accidents, and why you should take each one seriously.
1. Concussions
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), commonly caused by a sudden jolt or blow to the head or body. In rear-end collisions or side impacts, even a momentary jolt can result in bruising or strain that interferes with brain function.
Symptoms vary by person, but can include:
- Short-term memory gaps,
- Difficulties with focus,
- Sound or light sensitivity,
- Blurred vision, and
- Feeling “off” or disconnected from surroundings.
Most people recover from a concussion with rest and monitoring, but repeat injuries or delayed treatment can increase the risk of long-term effects.
2. Brain Contusions
A contusion is a bruise to brain tissue. Blood vessels leak onto the surface of the brain and put pressure on surrounding areas. These injuries typically result from hitting the head on a window, door frame, steering wheel, or dashboard.
Swelling from a contusion can cause severe side effects. Doctors monitor the injury using CT or MRI scans to detect changes in pressure. Surgery is sometimes required to prevent excess blood from building up inside the skull.
3. Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI)
Rapid rotational forces during crashes, such as those from rollovers or high-speed impacts, can stretch and shred nerve fibers. This form of trauma is called diffuse axonal injury. The damage can affect deep brain structures tied to consciousness and alertness.
DAI is one of the most severe types of brain injuries from car accidents. Many victims lose consciousness right away. Those who regain awareness may need months of therapy to restore speech, movement, and daily functions. Long-term cognitive support is usually part of recovery.
4. Coup-Contrecoup Injuries
When the head snaps forward and backward during a crash, the brain can strike the front and back of the skull. This double impact creates trauma on both sides—first at the point of initial force, then on the rebound.
This dual injury can lead to confusion, language problems, mood disturbance, visual changes, or loss of balance. Damage often appears on imaging in the frontal and occipital lobes. Treatments include rest, cognitive rehabilitation, and, in severe cases, surgical management.
5. Penetrating Injury
Sharp objects during a crash, like glass, metal, or debris, can pierce the skull and enter brain tissue. A car accident head injury involving penetration typically results in immediate bleeding, unconsciousness, or seizures.
These cases require emergency surgery. The risk of infection is high, and outcomes depend on the depth and location of the wound. Recovery may include time in intensive care and long-term monitoring of brain function.
6. Secondary Brain Injuries
After the initial trauma, the brain can suffer damage. These delayed effects include swelling, bleeding, oxygen loss, or increased intracranial pressure. Without fast treatment, pressure can build up and compress key brain areas.
This stage can be harder to detect, but warning signs generally involve:
- Worsening headaches,
- Unequal pupil size,
- Seizures,
- Blood pressure changes,
- Drowsiness, or
- Loss of consciousness.
Monitoring in the hours and days after a crash provides the best chance of controlling these outcomes with medication or surgical relief.
When to Seek Help
Many people don’t feel symptoms immediately after a crash. Adrenaline can mask pain, and disorientation may be dismissed as stress. However, any collision involving sudden motion or impact can put the brain at risk. Watching for signs of injury in the hours and days afterward is critical.
Symptoms related to common brain injuries from car accidents may include:
- Vomiting that does not stop,
- Slurred speech,
- Confusion or memory loss that worsens,
- One pupil larger than the other,
- Sudden mood swings or unusual behavior, and
- Trouble staying awake or alert.
Prompt medical care is essential when these symptoms appear. After that, legal guidance can help you understand your next steps, including how to handle situations where someone else’s negligence caused the crash.
River Run Law Is Here to Help
Recognizing a brain injury in a car accident is only the first step. After that, families face medical decisions, financial stress, and the reality of an injury that can change daily life in lasting ways.
River Run Law helps clients through this process. We represent individuals and families living with the effects of brain trauma caused by car accidents. Our role is to handle the legal side—investigating the crash, identifying responsible parties, and pursuing the compensation needed for care and recovery.
We’re proud to be ranked among the top 4% of law firms nationwide in the 15th edition of Best Law Firms®. This recognition reflects our commitment to careful preparation and consistent results.
If you or someone you love is dealing with a brain injury after a crash, contact River Run Law for a free consultation.
