What to Do If You Have a Concussion After a Car Accident in Texas

It is easy to underestimate a concussion after a Texas car accident. You might walk away from the crash, talk as usual, and see no clear injuries. However, hours later, you could develop a severe headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, memory problems, or unusual fatigue. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that happens when a blow or jolt makes the brain move quickly inside the skull.

If you or a family member might have a concussion after a car accident, get checked by a doctor. Watch for emergency warning signs. Follow your doctor’s instructions, keep your appointments, and write down how the injury affects your life. Then, when you are ready to address the legal side of the crash, Daws Legal in Frisco can help you understand your options.

Judson Daws can independently investigate how your car crash happened, preserve evidence, identify potentially liable parties and available insurance coverage, document your damages, communicate with insurers, and pursue compensation when another party’s negligence caused your injuries.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Concussion After a Car Crash?

Call 911 or go to an emergency department immediately if you or your loved one experiences:

A headache that gets worse and does not go away;
Repeated vomiting or seizures;
Weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination;
Slurred speech or increasing confusion;
Agitation or unusual behavior;
One pupil is larger than the other;
Inability to recognize people or places;
Loss of consciousness; or
Extreme drowsiness.

Concussion symptoms are not always immediate. Some appear shortly after the collision, while others can develop hours or even days later. If possible, family members should watch for changes in behavior because you might not notice the red flags of a concussion after a car crash.

How Can a Concussion Affect My Daily Life?

A concussion may make ordinary responsibilities unexpectedly difficult. Headaches and sensitivity to light can interfere with computer work. Dizziness can make driving unsafe. Problems with concentration and memory can affect job performance. Fatigue and sleep disturbances can make it difficult to maintain a normal schedule. Irritability, anxiety, and emotional changes can affect relationships with family members and coworkers.

What Steps Should I Take to Protect My Health and a Potential Texas Injury Claim?

If you believe you suffered a concussion, seek medical care as soon as possible. A doctor may evaluate your symptoms and test areas such as memory, concentration, learning, and problem-solving. A CT scan or other brain imaging is not necessarily required to diagnose a concussion, although imaging may be appropriate when a health care provider is concerned about bleeding or another serious brain injury.

Tell your doctor exactly what happened in the crash and describe all your symptoms, even if they seem minor. If you notice new symptoms after your first visit, let your doctor know.

Medical records can also become important evidence in a personal injury case because they help document the injury, your symptoms, the treatment you received, and how your condition progressed after the accident.

After receiving necessary medical care, preserve as much information about the collision and your recovery as you reasonably can. For instance, keep copies of medical records, discharge instructions, prescriptions, medical bills, and receipts for accident-related expenses. Save photographs and videos from the crash scene, photographs of vehicle damage, the police crash report when available, insurance correspondence, and contact information for witnesses.

Keep a written record of your symptoms and recovery. Keep documentation showing lost income as well, including pay stubs, employer correspondence, missed shifts, or records of lost self-employment income.

Finally, be careful when discussing your injuries in public while your claim is still open. Insurance companies may look into both how the accident happened and how serious your injuries are.

Who May Be Liable for a Texas Car Accident That Causes a Concussion?

Liability depends on how the accident occurred. In many cases, another driver may be responsible because of negligent conduct such as speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, failing to yield, running a traffic signal, or driving while impaired. Determining liability may require examining police reports, photographs, video footage, witness statements, vehicle damage, electronic data, medical evidence, and other records.

A driver is not necessarily the only potentially responsible party. Liability could involve an employer whose employee caused a collision while acting within the scope of employment, a commercial trucking company, a vehicle or component manufacturer in a product-defect case, or another person or business whose conduct contributed to the crash.

Texas follows a proportionate-responsibility system. A person generally cannot recover damages if their percentage of responsibility is greater than 50%. When a claimant is partly responsible but remains eligible to recover damages, the damages awarded are reduced by the claimant’s percentage of responsibility.

What Kind of Compensation May Be Available for a Concussion After an Auto Collision?

If another party caused your accident, a Texas personal injury claim may seek compensation for losses resulting from the collision and your concussion. Depending on the facts in your claim, recoverable damages may include:

Emergency room and hospital expenses,
Doctor and specialist visits,
Diagnostic testing,
Medication,
Rehabilitation and therapy,
Future medical treatment,
Lost wages,
Reduced future earning capacity,
Physical pain and impairment, and
Mental anguish.

In addition, compensation may cover other accident-related losses, such as property damage, as supported by the evidence.

Texas requires motorists to maintain these minimum liability coverage limits:

$30,000 for bodily injury to one person,
$60,000 total for bodily injuries in one accident, and
$25,000 for property damage.

The Texas Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act can be difficult to understand without the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. In addition, other sources of insurance may also be relevant.

Does My Insurance Cover Concussion Treatment?

It may. Texas does not require drivers to purchase PIP coverage, but Texas auto insurers generally must include PIP unless the named insured rejects it in writing. PIP can help pay for qualifying medical expenses and lost income benefits after an accident, regardless of who caused the crash. Other coverage, including health insurance, the at-fault driver’s liability insurance, or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, may also apply. Daws Legal can help you review your policy and identify every potential source of coverage before accepting a settlement.

How Long Do You Have to File a Concussion Claim in Texas?

Texas generally gives a person two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.

However, exceptions and different notice requirements can apply in particular situations. A claim involving a government entity, a minor, or other unusual circumstances may require a different analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long After a Car Accident Can Concussion Symptoms Appear?

The symptoms of a concussion might show up right after a car accident, but in some cases, they may not be noticeable for hours or even days. Over time, you may experience headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, memory difficulties, or changes in your sleep and mood. Get medical help if you think you have a concussion, particularly if the symptoms appear or get worse after the collision.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Concussion After a Car Accident?

Your recovery time depends on the seriousness of your injury and your medical history. You may improve within a few days of rest, or your symptoms may last for months or longer. Depending on your symptoms, you may be referred for physical or vestibular therapy, occupational therapy, vision care, cognitive or speech therapy, psychological care, or another specialist. Your health care provider can provide guidelines.

Can I Receive Compensation for a Concussion Caused by a Car Accident in Texas?

If someone else’s carelessness caused your accident and concussion, you might be able to seek money for medical bills, lost wages, pain, mental stress, physical limits, and other losses from the accident. The amount you can get depends on the details of your situation, such as who was at fault, how serious your injuries are, and what insurance is available.

How Can I Prove That My Concussion Was Caused by a Car Accident?

Good documentation can help link your concussion to the accident. Evidence such as your medical records, the account you gave of when your symptoms first appeared, the results of any diagnostic tests, the crash report, photographs, statements from witnesses, and other evidence may assist in determining what took place and how you were injured.

What If the Car Accident Made an Existing Concussion or Brain Injury Worse?

If the accident worsened an existing brain injury, you might be able to claim damages for the extra harm that the collision caused. Since insurers could argue that your symptoms are from your pre-existing condition rather than the accident, medical records and evidence demonstrating how your condition has changed following the accident become particularly important.

When Should I Speak with a Texas Car Accident Lawyer?

Consider speaking with Texas car accident lawyer Judson Daws as soon as possible after your accident, especially before accepting a settlement that would require you to release your claims. Without legal help, you may not get the compensation you need if you are missing work, significant medical treatment is required, fault is disputed, multiple parties may be responsible, or an insurance company is questioning the severity or cause of your injuries.

Contact Daws Legal for a free consultation about your Texas car accident and concussion claim. At Daws Legal, we serve clients in Collin and Denton Counties and across the state. Our goal is to handle your case so you can focus on getting better.

Legal References Used to Inform This Page

To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced official legal and other resources during the content development process:

About the Author

Judson is a dedicated and experienced Personal Injury attorney with a passion for justice and a commitment to helping clients navigate complex legal challenges. With 30 years of experience in personal injury, he has successfully represented countless clients, securing favorable settlements and verdicts.

What to Do If You Have a Concussion After a Car Accident in Texas