By Ben Thayer, Co-Founder & Co-Owner · 3 min read

Who this is for: Written for patients and families after any kind of accident, and for providers who see injuries beyond car crashes.

Key takeaways

  • A concussion can follow a jolt or whiplash motion, not only a direct hit.
  • Rear-end, intersection, motorcycle, pedestrian, rideshare, fall and work injuries can all lead to concussion symptoms.
  • Older adults on blood thinners need prompt emergency evaluation after any head strike.
  • Whatever the accident, the pathway is the same: the treating provider decides whether to refer for testing.
  • This page describes how injuries happen. It is not a list of who needs testing.

Rear-end and intersection crashes

Even a moderate-speed rear-end crash can whip the head forward and back. Patients tend to focus on neck pain, and headaches, dizziness or fogginess get overlooked. In side-impact crashes at intersections, the head can strike the window or pillar, or snap sideways. These crashes can be severe.

Across every accident type the pattern repeats: symptoms may be delayed, consciousness is often never lost, and the signs get mistaken for stress or neck pain.

Highway and rollover crashes

An open journal with a pen resting on a blank page
A simple daily symptom log gives the treating provider a clear trend.

Higher speeds and rollovers raise the risk of serious head injury. Anyone involved should be evaluated by emergency services.

Motorcycles and bicycles

Helmets reduce the risk of serious head injury, but riders can still sustain a concussion, and many downplay symptoms to get back on the road.

Related in this series: Can You Have a Concussion Without Losing Consciousness?, Slip-and-Fall Head Injuries: Documenting a Possible Concussion and Wearing a Helmet and Still Concussed? How It Happens. For the full overview, start with our guide, Concussion After a Crash.

Pedestrians

People struck by a vehicle often hit their head on the vehicle or the ground. They need emergency evaluation.

Helmets lower but don't eliminate concussion risk.

Rideshare, delivery and commercial vehicles

Bright, calm clinic exam room
Braintree testing takes place at the referring provider’s office.

Drivers and passengers in rideshare cars, delivery vans and trucks can sustain the same injuries as anyone else, and irregular work schedules can make follow-up visits harder to keep.

Falls, work and sport

Slips, trips and falls are a common cause of head injury, especially in older adults. Falls from ladders, being struck by objects and contact sports can all cause concussions. Children may not describe symptoms clearly; watch for changes in mood, sleep, school performance or play.

After any accident

Get emergency care first if there are red-flag symptoms. Then follow up with a provider within the next few days, even if you feel mostly fine, and mention any bump, jolt or whiplash motion. Track symptoms daily with the symptom checklist.

Emergency signs, whatever the cause

Whatever the accident type, the emergency signs are the same: a headache that keeps building, vomiting more than once, a seizure, slurred speech, weakness, confusion or drowsiness that makes the person hard to wake. Call 911 or go to the ER.

Frequently asked questions

I didn't hit my head. Could I still have a concussion?

Yes. A sudden jolt or whiplash motion can cause the brain to shift inside the skull. Tell your provider about any jolt, even without a direct blow.

Is testing different for a fall than for a car crash?

No. The pathway is the same. Your treating provider decides whether testing is warranted based on your symptoms.

My parent hit their head and takes a blood thinner. What should we do?

Seek prompt emergency evaluation after any head strike, even if they seem fine.

We diagnose. You treat.

Fully mobile across Florida: we test at the patient's home, at any of 40+ service locations across Florida, or at your office. Mobile, physician-reviewed concussion and TBI diagnostics for Florida providers and their accident patients. Reports go to a neurologist ahead of the neuro evaluation; the referring provider then receives a copy for advanced imaging and treatment recommendations.

Book a 15-minute callRefer a patient

Or call 813-709-3771

Sources

This article is educational and is not medical or legal advice. If this is a medical emergency, call 911.