A car accident can change your life in an instant. While broken bones and visible injuries often receive immediate attention, some of the most serious injuries are the ones you cannot see.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most misunderstood injuries we see at Crosley Law. A 2024 data analysis estimates that TBIs are prevalent in about 18% of the general US adult population, with many of those injuries received in motor vehicle accidents.
Some victims recover quickly. Others struggle with headaches, memory problems, mood changes, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties for months, years, or even the rest of their lives. The challenge is that many people do not realize they have suffered a brain injury until long after the crash.
If you were involved in a car accident in San Antonio and something simply does not feel right afterward, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. It is also important to understand your legal rights. In many cases, getting both medical help and legal help early can make a significant difference in your recovery and your future.
Why do car crashes cause so many traumatic brain injuries?
According to meta-analysis, traumatic brain injuries contribute to hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths each year in the United States. Motor vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes of serious brain injuries, particularly among children, teenagers, and young adults.
Many people assume that a brain injury only occurs when someone strikes their head against a windshield, dashboard, steering wheel, or side window. While those impacts certainly can cause a TBI, they are not required.
In fact, some of the most significant brain injuries occur without any direct blow to the head.
During a collision, your body may stop suddenly while your brain continues moving inside your skull. This rapid acceleration and deceleration can stretch, twist, or damage delicate brain tissue. Medical professionals sometimes refer to this as a diffuse injury because it affects the brain’s microscopic wiring rather than creating an obvious bruise or fracture.
That means a person can walk away from a crash looking perfectly fine while still suffering a significant brain injury.
TBI categories, and why “mild” doesn’t always mean “harmless”
Doctors generally classify traumatic brain injuries into three categories: mild, moderate, and severe. However, the word “mild” can be misleading.
A mild traumatic brain injury is often called a concussion, but many people who suffer so-called mild TBIs experience symptoms that persist for months or years. Some never fully recover.
As we often explain when discussing brain injury cases, the term “mild” refers to the initial medical classification and not necessarily the long-term outcome.
Someone with a severe TBI might recover remarkably well. Meanwhile, someone with a mild TBI might continue struggling with headaches, concentration problems, memory deficits, and emotional changes years later.
That unpredictability is one reason why brain injury cases require specialized medical and legal attention.
RELATED: Not everyone recovers from a mild TBI
When should you contact a San Antonio TBI attorney?
In most cases, the answer is much sooner than people think.
Many accident victims wait until medical bills start piling up or symptoms become overwhelming before speaking with a lawyer.
Unfortunately, valuable evidence can disappear during that time.
A brain injury attorney can help preserve critical information, identify appropriate medical specialists, and protect you from insurance company tactics designed to minimize your claim.
You should strongly consider speaking with a TBI attorney if:
- Your symptoms persist beyond a few weeks
- Doctors suspect a concussion or brain injury
- You are missing work because of your symptoms
- Family members notice changes in your behavior or personality
- The insurance company questions your injury
- You suffered a serious collision involving a commercial vehicle or drunk driver
- You are experiencing ongoing cognitive or emotional symptoms
Even if you are unsure whether you have a legal claim, a consultation can help you understand your options.
What are the signs of a TBI after a car accident?
Brain injuries affect different people in different ways. Some symptoms appear immediately, while others develop gradually over days or weeks.
Many accident victims dismiss early symptoms because they believe they are simply stressed, tired, or shaken up after the collision. Unfortunately, delaying treatment can make both recovery and legal claims more difficult.
Here are some symptoms to watch out for. Please note that this is not a complete list, and that far from all symptoms need to be present for a TBI diagnosis.
Cognitive symptoms
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble remembering conversations or appointments
- Feeling mentally slow
- Problems multitasking
- Difficulty finding words
- Confusion or disorientation
- Reduced attention span
Victims often describe these symptoms as feeling like they are operating in a fog.
Physical symptoms
- Persistent headaches
- Dizziness
- Balance problems
- Nausea
- Vision changes
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to noise
- Fatigue
- Ringing in the ears
Some symptoms may appear subtle initially but become increasingly disruptive over time.
Emotional and behavioral symptoms
One of the most potentially frightening aspects of a brain injury is how it can affect personality and emotions. Victims may experience:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Frustration
- Reduced motivation
- Increased emotional reactions
Family members often notice these changes before the injured person does.
Sleep disturbances
Many TBI victims also struggle with sleep issues, such as:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Sleeping excessively
- Insomnia
- Persistent fatigue despite adequate rest
These sleep problems can worsen other symptoms and create a cycle that makes recovery more difficult.
When should you contact a San Antonio TBI attorney?
In most cases, the answer is much sooner than people think.
Many accident victims wait until medical bills start piling up or symptoms become overwhelming before speaking with a brain injury lawyer. Unfortunately, valuable evidence can disappear during that time.
A brain injury lawyer can help preserve critical information, identify appropriate medical specialists, and protect you from insurance company tactics designed to minimize your claim.
You should strongly consider speaking with a TBI attorney if:
- Your symptoms persist beyond a few weeks
- Doctors suspect a concussion or brain injury
- You are missing work because of your symptoms
- Family members notice changes in your behavior or personality
- The insurance company questions your injury
- You suffered a serious collision involving a commercial vehicle or drunk driver
- You are experiencing ongoing cognitive or emotional symptoms
Even if you are unsure whether you have a legal claim, a consultation can help you understand your options.
RELATED: Why a TBI attorney must truly understand their client
When should you seek medical help for a potential TBI?
The short answer is simple: immediately. Always.
Any time you strike your head, lose consciousness, experience confusion, or develop symptoms consistent with a concussion after a car crash, you should seek medical evaluation.
Even if you did not hit your head, it is wise to get checked out if you experience symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, memory problems, or unusual fatigue.
The earlier a brain injury is identified, the sooner treatment can begin. Additionally, the sooner after a crash you begin establishing a medical record, the better it could strengthen any personal injury claim you may need to file.
Why are so many brain injuries missed?
While getting medical attention after a crash is extremely important, many cases still exist where initial evaluations raise little-to-no concerns of a TBI, only for symptoms to develop or persist later.
This is often not the fault of medical staff. One of the biggest challenges in TBI cases is that brain injuries are often “invisible.”
Many brain injuries simply do not show up on a traditional CT scan or MRI. Doctors also may initially focus on more visible injuries and miss subtle neurological symptoms that something more may be wrong.
But that does not mean the brain injury is any less real. Once symptoms become more evident, more advanced testing may reveal the injury.
However, insurance companies often seize upon this uncertainty that initial tests and delayed discovery can provide. If there is no visible wound and no dramatic finding on a standard MRI, insurance adjusters may argue that nothing is wrong.
At Crosley Law, we know that serious brain injuries can exist even when traditional imaging appears normal.
How a San Antonio TBI attorney helps build your case
Brain injury cases are different from typical car accident claims. Successfully proving a TBI frequently requires detailed investigation and extensive medical evidence.
At Crosley Law, our team works to gather and analyze:
- Medical records
- Emergency room records
- Neurology evaluations
- Neuropsychological testing
- Advanced brain imaging
- Witness statements
- “Before and after” testimony from family members and coworkers
- Accident reconstruction evidence
We also consult with expert witnesses and stay up to date on advanced imaging technology tests. Understanding the knowledge and evidence surrounding TBI, debunking “junk science,” and being able to explain the consequences of mild TBIs easily to juries helps our firm be seen as a powerful player in these cases.
See how we made “invisible” TBIs visible in the case studies below.
CASE STUDY: $1.5 million settlement obtained for victim rear-ended by commercial truck on I-35
Don’t wait to get help from a TBI attorney
The most important thing to remember after a car accident is that brain injuries are often far more serious than they initially appear.
If you are experiencing headaches, memory problems, dizziness, mood changes, sleep disturbances, or any other symptoms consistent with a concussion or TBI, seek medical attention right away.
And if someone else’s negligence caused the crash, consider speaking with a San Antonio brain injury lawyer who understands these complex cases.
If you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury in a San Antonio car accident, contact Crosley Law to request a free consultation. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you understand your legal options.
RELATED: How a San Antonio brain injury lawyer wins TBI cases
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
About Tom Crosley
Tom Crosley is a personal injury attorney in San Antonio, Texas, and founder of Crosley Law Firm. He is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He has obtained numerous multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts during his career.
Mr. Crosley represents individuals and families in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, and he has expertise and experience in handling brain and spine injury cases. He is a frequent author and lecturer on topics relating to personal injury trial law. He is a past president of the San Antonio Trial Lawyers Association and has served as an officer or director in numerous other bar associations and legal organizations.
