Sean O’Rourke | April 11, 2025

Delayed Concussion Symptoms in Accidents

A car accident can leave you rattled, even if it seems you’ve walked away relatively unscathed. Some injuries are obvious right away, but concussions can be tricky. You might feel fine at first, but that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Brain damage doesn’t always show up right away, and that delay can make it harder to connect your symptoms to the accident.

It’s common to brush off a headache or feeling “off” after an accident and assume it’s just stress or adrenaline. The truth is, those seemingly minor signs could be the first hints of a concussion. It’s important to know what to look for and when to take it seriously.

Why Do Concussion Symptoms Get Delayed?

The brain is a delicate organ, protected by your skull and cushioned by fluid and membranes. A sudden impact can cause your brain to move or rattle inside your skull. The movement can stretch and damage brain cells and cause signs of a traumatic brain injury.

Sometimes, the body’s immediate reaction to trauma — namely, shock and adrenaline — can hide those signs. Once that initial rush fades, though, you can start to notice changes in how you’re feeling. It can take hours, days, or even weeks for the signs to become noticeable. The delay can make you question whether your symptoms are actually related to the accident.

Common Delayed Concussion Symptoms

The brain is also a complicated organ, and modern medical science still doesn’t understand everything about it. Because of that, concussion symptoms aren’t one-size-fits-all, and it’s not always clear, for example, why one person gets really bad headaches and another only feels a little dizzy.

After an accident, you might start to notice:

  • Persistent or worsening headaches
  • Balance issues and dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Memory problems
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Sleep problems
  • Irritability
  • Mood swings
  • Feeling tired no matter how much you rest

If you experience any of these after an accident, take them seriously and get checked out at the hospital. Even if they don’t seem serious, they could be the first hint of a concussion setting in.

When a concussion shows up long after the accident that caused it, the delay can complicate your personal injury case. 

If you didn’t mention feeling hurt in the immediate aftermath, insurance adjusters are likely to downplay your trauma or argue that your injuries aren’t as bad as you say. This is why it’s so important to see a doctor right away and document any new symptom that shows up.

Insurance companies have other ways of trying to reduce or deny a claim that involves a delayed concussion. They might try to argue that your symptoms aren’t related to an injury from the accident and that something else caused your concussion. 

Consistent medical records are your best defense against these tactics. Make sure to follow up with your doctor and keep track of how your injury affects your life.

Texas law generally gives you two years from the day of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Certain factors can affect that timeline, though, so don’t wait until your symptoms are unbearable to take action. If your injury shows up after the accident, you’ll need to prove the link between the two.

Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs

Delayed concussion symptoms can catch you off guard. Regardless of how long they take to show up, it’s best to always take them seriously. Your health and legal rights depend on paying attention to the signs and getting the care you need. Contact a personal injury lawyer if you’ve experienced a concussion after an accident.

For more information, please get in touch with the Houston personal injury attorneys at Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
440 Louisiana St Suite 2300-A, Houston, TX 77002
(281) 667-4081