Concussion After a Bronx Car Accident: Symptoms and Documentation

Understand Your Brain Injury, Protect Your Future

When a car crash shakes your body, your brain doesn’t always stay still. It can strike the inside of your skull, causing a concussion. This kind of injury doesn’t always show up right away, but it can affect how you think, feel, and function. 

Whether it happens during a sudden stop near East 149th Street or a side-impact crash on the Bruckner Expressway, the effects can last much longer than the collision itself.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our Bronx personal injury lawyers understand how disruptive and frustrating concussion symptoms can be. If you’ve suffered a head injury in a car accident, we’ll help you document your symptoms, connect with the right providers, and take on the insurance companies who may try to minimize your pain. You deserve the chance to recover fully, with support and not pressure. 

What a Concussion Is and How It Happens in Car Crashes

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. It happens when a sudden jolt or impact causes the brain to shift inside the skull. That movement can stretch or bruise brain tissue, even if there’s no visible wound.

Concussions often happen in rear-end collisions or side impacts. You might hit your head on the headrest, window, or steering wheel. But even without contact, a forceful stop can make the brain slam forward and back. In the Bronx, these injuries are especially common during crashes near heavy-traffic zones like Fordham Road or the Third Avenue Bridge, where quick lane changes and bumper-to-bumper stops increase crash risk.

Even accidents at 15 to 25 mph can cause a concussion. You don’t need to be knocked unconscious. Many people stay awake and alert, unaware they’ve been injured until hours later. That delay makes documentation especially important.

Early Signs and Delayed Symptoms to Watch For

You might walk away from a crash feeling fine. Then the headache starts. Or your thoughts feel scrambled. That’s often how concussion symptoms show up. They build gradually, and they can change over time.

Common early signs include:

• Head pressure or dull headaches
• Nausea or dizziness
• Confusion or memory trouble
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Light and sound sensitivity

As the hours or days go on, symptoms may shift. Some people feel irritable or anxious. Others struggle to concentrate at work or in school. You might forget why you entered a room or find it hard to follow conversations.

You may also notice physical coordination issues, like being off-balance or clumsy. If you're having trouble sleeping or feel like your brain isn't working right, those are red flags. Waiting too long to report or treat these symptoms can hurt both your health and your injury claim.

Why Concussions Are Often Overlooked in the Bronx

Concussions can be invisible. On chaotic Bronx streets, injury scenes are loud, fast, and crowded. EMTs or ER staff often focus on bleeding, broken bones, or signs of severe trauma. If you seem awake and can answer questions, you may be sent home without a full neurological exam.

At busy facilities like Lincoln Medical Center or Jacobi Hospital, quick discharges are common when beds fill up. That can lead to underreporting of concussions, especially in people who don’t immediately complain of pain. Add the shock and adrenaline of a crash, and symptoms often get dismissed or delayed.

People also skip follow-up care. They return to work or school, not realizing they’re struggling with memory or focus. In the Bronx, where people juggle multiple jobs or family responsibilities, taking time to rest and seek care isn’t always an option. That delay makes it harder to link the injury back to the crash, which insurance companies use against you.

How Bronx Medical Providers Diagnose Concussions

Doctors diagnose concussions by evaluating symptoms and cognitive function. Imaging like CT scans or MRIs may be used to rule out serious brain damage, but these scans often look normal even when a concussion is present.

A full concussion evaluation typically involves:

• Reviewing how the crash happened
• Testing balance, vision, and reflexes
• Asking about memory lapses or confusion
• Tracking changes in mood, sleep, or headaches

In the Bronx, providers at Montefiore, St. Barnabas, and local urgent care centers often follow this protocol. If symptoms linger, you may be referred to a neurologist. The key is making sure every symptom gets documented. A short visit with no notes on cognitive problems may not help your case later.

Try to see a provider within 24–48 hours of the crash. Bring a list of your symptoms. Mention any changes in mood, sleep, or concentration. If someone noticed you acting oddly or speaking slowly after the accident, ask them to write down what they saw.

Steps to Take After Suspecting a Concussion

Taking the right steps after a car crash helps both your recovery and your legal case. Even if your head didn’t hit anything, you should watch for symptoms that suggest your brain was injured.

Here’s what to do:

• Rest in a quiet environment
• Avoid bright screens, loud music, and driving
• See a primary care doctor or neurologist
• Write down any memory issues, headaches, or confusion
• Request printed records after every visit

Other tips to protect your health and claim:

• Let someone close to you know what you’re experiencing
• Avoid strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting
• Reschedule work or school obligations if symptoms worsen
• Keep a symptom journal that tracks sleep, pain, and focus

Simple steps like these build a record. They show that you took the injury seriously and followed doctor recommendations. That paper trail becomes crucial when it’s time to prove your claim.

How to Document a Concussion for an Injury Claim

Because concussions don’t always show up on tests, documentation is everything. Insurance adjusters will ask for proof that the accident caused your symptoms. That means linking the timing, behavior, and treatment together.

You’ll want to collect:

• Medical records from each visit
• Written diagnoses using terms like "concussion" or "TBI"
• Notes about cognitive rest or work restrictions
• Prescriptions for rest, medication, or therapy
• Statements from family, friends, or coworkers about changes they noticed

If a doctor said you needed time off work, get that in writing. If your boss noticed you seemed off, ask for a short letter. The more voices confirming your symptoms, the harder it becomes for insurers to dismiss them.

Also, request all imaging results, even if they’re normal. That shows you took the right steps to rule out other injuries. 

Why Insurance Companies Challenge Concussion Claims

Insurers are quick to doubt invisible injuries. They often look for any reason to reduce or deny concussion-related claims. When a scan is clean and the victim didn’t lose consciousness, they argue the injury wasn’t real or serious.

You may face challenges if:

• You didn’t go to the doctor right away
• Your symptoms weren’t written down clearly
• You missed follow-up appointments
• You returned to work too soon

Adjusters may also argue that your symptoms are from stress or preexisting conditions. In the Bronx, where many people work physically demanding jobs, this can complicate return-to-work issues. The best way to push back is with a consistent, detailed medical timeline and strong legal support.

When to Get Legal Help for a Concussion Case

If you’re still dealing with concussion symptoms a week or more after your crash, it’s time to speak with a Bronx personal injury attorney. A lawyer can connect your injury to the accident, request records, and negotiate with insurers who try to downplay your condition.

You should consider legal help if:

• You missed time at work or school
• You’re struggling with memory or focus
• Your claim was denied or undervalued
• Your symptoms are worsening

At Horn Wright, LLP, we help Bronx residents manage the pressure that comes with these injuries. We work closely with doctors and neurologists to make sure your diagnosis and recovery plan are fully documented. 

Take Every Head Injury Seriously

Head injuries are never minor. A concussion after a car accident can interfere with how you think, feel, and live. If you live or work in the Bronx, you already know how fast traffic moves and how often crashes happen. Don’t ignore symptoms just because you didn’t lose consciousness.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our Bronx personal injury lawyers help people prove what they’re going through, even when it isn’t visible on a scan. If you’re experiencing headaches, memory trouble, or confusion after a crash, reach out to our team. 

We’re here to help you document your injuries, get treatment, and pursue the compensation you deserve, so you can heal with dignity and peace of mind.