Emergency Warning Signs: Get Help Now
Call 911 or seek immediate emergency care after a head injury for a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, weakness or numbness, slurred speech, increasing confusion, unequal pupils, or difficulty waking. Do not wait to complete an inquiry form.
Concussion and Other Traumatic Brain Injuries
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI. A blow or jolt to the head or body can affect brain function even without loss of consciousness. Other head injuries may involve the skull or more serious brain damage. Symptoms alone cannot reliably establish the injury’s severity; get professional assessment.
Symptoms Can Affect More Than Your Head
Physical
Headache, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, or sensitivity to light and noise.
Thinking and Memory
Difficulty concentrating, feeling slowed down, or trouble remembering.
Mood and Sleep
Irritability, anxiety, emotional changes, or sleeping more or less than usual.
Symptoms may be delayed or change over time. These examples are not a diagnostic checklist.
What Medical Assessment May Involve
Tell the clinician how the crash happened, your symptoms, and any loss of consciousness or memory. Assessment may include a neurological examination and checks of thinking and memory. Imaging may be appropriate in some cases, but not every concussion requires a scan. Follow the clinician’s instructions and recommended follow-up.
Recovery Is an Individual Process
- 1
Follow the care plan
Use the instructions from your healthcare team rather than a fixed online recovery schedule.
- 2
Report changes
Discuss new or continuing symptoms and attend recommended follow-up appointments.
- 3
Plan your return to activities
Ask about returning to work, driving, riding, and physical activity. Do not assume feeling better means you are cleared.
Records to Keep for Care and Claims
- Accident report, photographs, and witness contact details
- Medical assessments, discharge instructions, and follow-up records
- Bills, receipts, and relevant insurance correspondence
- Work absences and clinician-documented limitations
- A dated account of symptoms and daily difficulties
Keep sensitive medical records private. Do not upload them through this site’s basic inquiry form.
Legal Considerations After a Head Injury
A claim may involve fault, insurance coverage, medical evidence, work limitations, and possible future care needs. Helmet rules, deadlines, and available damages vary by state. Neither a diagnosis nor a particular injury guarantees compensation. A licensed attorney can review your facts before you accept a settlement or sign a release.
This site is not a law firm. Inquiries are saved for the site team; an attorney match is not guaranteed.
Head Injury FAQs
Medical Sources and Further Reading
- MedlinePlus: Head Injuries
- MedlinePlus: Concussion
- CDC: Signs and Symptoms of Mild TBI
- NINDS: Traumatic Brain Injury
General educational information, not medical or legal advice. Photograph is illustrative.