A concussion or traumatic brain injury after a Texas car accident can support a claim for medical care, lost income, and long-term effects when it is documented and tied to the crash. Owsley Law Firm reviews these cases free, and you owe no fee unless we win.
You do not have to hit your head to injure your brain. In a collision, the brain can strike the inside of the skull as the head is thrown forward and stopped, and the twisting and stretching of tissue can disrupt how it works. Many people never lose consciousness. They just feel wrong afterward: foggy, irritable, exhausted, sensitive to light and noise.
Because standard CT scans often look normal in mild cases, insurers treat these injuries with suspicion. Yet concussion symptoms can last months, and more severe brain injuries can change a person's work, relationships, and independence. Building a Texas brain injury claim means taking symptoms seriously early and documenting them with the right providers.
Concussion versus more severe brain injury
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. Moderate and severe injuries involve bleeding, bruising, or longer loss of consciousness.
Doctors classify brain injuries by severity, but the label does not always predict the impact on daily life. Someone with a so-called mild injury can struggle with memory and concentration for months, while a more severe injury can require years of therapy or lifelong care.
For a claim, the classification matters less than the documented effects: what you can no longer do, how long recovery is taking, and what providers say about long-term outlook.
Symptoms people miss
Headaches, dizziness, memory trouble, mood changes, and sleep problems can all signal a brain injury and are easy to overlook.
Family members often notice changes before the injured person does: irritability, forgetfulness, withdrawal, or difficulty finishing tasks that used to be easy. People sometimes blame stress or lack of sleep and never connect the symptoms to the crash.
If you notice any of these after a collision, tell your medical provider and mention the crash. The earlier the connection is recorded, the harder it is for an insurer to say the symptoms came from somewhere else.
- Headaches that do not fade
- Dizziness, balance trouble, or nausea
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Memory lapses or difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings, anxiety, or unusual irritability
- Sleeping too much or too little
Why scans can look normal
Routine CT scans detect bleeding and fractures, but they often cannot show the functional damage of a mild brain injury.
An emergency room CT is designed to rule out life-threatening bleeding. A normal result means there was no bleed. It does not mean there was no injury. Specialists may use neuropsychological testing, specialized MRI, and clinical evaluation to assess how the brain is functioning.
Neuropsychological testing can measure attention, memory, processing speed, and executive function against normal ranges, creating objective evidence of impairment. A referral to a neurologist or a brain injury clinic in the Texas Medical Center or elsewhere is worth discussing with your primary provider.
Proving the effects on work and daily life
Testimony from family, coworkers, and treating providers often carries a brain injury case because the effects are seen in behavior.
The injured person is not always the best witness to their own decline. A spouse who notices repeated forgetfulness, a supervisor who sees slower work, or a friend who sees a personality change can describe the difference between before and after. That evidence, combined with test results and medical opinions, tells the story.
Keep a symptom diary, save communications with your employer about performance or accommodations, and hold onto any records of missed work or reduced hours. These details support both lost income and non-economic damages.
Value, future care, and long timelines
Brain injury claims are often slow because the full picture takes time to emerge, and settling too early can leave future needs unpaid.
Recovery from a brain injury does not follow a fixed calendar. Some people improve steadily over several months. Others plateau, and providers may need a year or more to give a reliable opinion on permanent effects. Settling before that opinion exists risks leaving future therapy, medication, and care uncovered.
Texas gives you two years to file suit in most car accident cases, so time management is a real factor. Ask early how to protect the deadline while treatment continues.
Protecting your claim while you recover
Rest first, then document: your health comes ahead of the claim, and good records make both easier.
Cognitive fatigue is a real feature of brain injury. Reading long documents, handling insurance calls, and keeping track of deadlines can be exhausting, and mistakes made while foggy can hurt a claim. Ask a family member to help you keep a folder of bills, letters, and appointment cards, and let a lawyer handle the adjuster.
Avoid returning to activities that risk a second head injury before your provider clears you. A second blow during recovery can make symptoms worse and complicates the question of what caused what. If your employer offers reduced hours or accommodations, ask for the arrangement in writing, because it becomes evidence of the injury's effect on your work.
Finally, be careful with recorded statements. Memory problems can lead to inconsistencies in your account that an insurer will later present as unreliability. Speak with a lawyer before you agree to describe the crash to anyone on the other side.
What evidence proves it
- Emergency room and neurology records
- Neuropsychological testing results
- Imaging, including any specialized MRI
- Statements from family, friends, and coworkers about changes they saw
- Employer records showing performance or attendance changes
- A daily symptom log started soon after the crash
Mistakes that cost people money
- Assuming a normal CT scan means no injury and not following up
- Returning to full duties too soon and not documenting struggles
- Giving a recorded statement while foggy or in pain
- Letting family concerns go unrecorded
- Settling before a provider can describe long-term effects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a brain injury without hitting my head?
Yes. Sudden acceleration and deceleration can injure the brain even without direct impact.
What if my CT scan was normal?
A normal CT rules out bleeding but does not exclude a concussion or functional injury. Ask about follow-up evaluation if symptoms continue.
How long do concussion symptoms last?
Many people improve within weeks, but some experience symptoms for months or longer. A provider should monitor your recovery.
Is a concussion claim worth pursuing?
That depends on the severity, treatment, and effect on your life. Owsley Law Firm offers a free review so you can understand your options.
This page is general information about Texas law and is not legal or medical advice. Every case depends on its own facts. Contact the firm for a free review of yours.
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