Hurt in a Crash on Vacation in Clearwater or St. Pete Beach?
What visitors and seasonal residents should know about concussion after a crash in Clearwater, St. Pete Beach or Dunedin, including danger signs and what to do before the trip home.
You came for the beach. Maybe it was a week in Clearwater Beach, a winter in St. Pete Beach or a visit with family in Dunedin. Then, on the Memorial Causeway, Gulf Boulevard or the Pinellas Bayway, another car hit yours. Everyone walked away. You may have even kept your dinner plans.
A day or two later, something feels off. Your head aches, bright sun bothers you more than it should, and you can't quite focus. This guide is for visitors, seasonal residents and the families traveling with them.
Key takeaways
- A concussion can happen even if your head never hit anything.
- Some symptoms may not appear for hours or days, so they are easy to blame on sun or travel.
- Call 911 or go to the nearest ER right away for any danger sign.
- If you can, see a healthcare provider before you travel home, and keep copies of your records.
Why this happens to so many visitors
Pinellas County welcomed nearly 15 million visitors in 2025, according to Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, and the county is home to 35 miles of beaches. Many of those visitors drive unfamiliar roads: busy beach roundabouts, drawbridges, and long bridges like the Howard Frankland, Courtney Campbell, Gandy, Bayside and Sunshine Skyway. Florida's 2024 crash report counts 14,391 crashes and 8,804 injuries in Pinellas that year.
Concussion can be easy to miss
The CDC explains that a concussion can come from a jolt to the body, not only a blow to the head. Some symptoms show up right away, and some may not appear for hours or days. On vacation, it is easy to blame them on sun, travel, a late night or a long drive.
On vacation, it is easy to blame a headache on the sun, a late night or a long drive.
Signs to watch for in the days after a crash
The CDC groups common concussion symptoms into four areas:
- Physical: headaches, dizziness or balance problems, nausea, feeling tired, being bothered by light or noise, vision problems.
- Thinking: feeling foggy or slowed down, trouble concentrating or remembering.
- Mood: irritability, anxiety, sadness or feeling more emotional than usual.
- Sleep: sleeping more or less than usual, or trouble falling asleep.
Ask the people traveling with you what they notice. Someone with a concussion may not recognize the changes in themselves.
When to go to the emergency room
Pinellas has several hospital emergency departments. Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg is the county's adult Level II trauma center, and Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital next door is a pediatric trauma center. Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg and Mease Dunedin Hospital also have emergency departments. In an emergency, go to the closest one.
Before you head home
If symptoms are mild and there are no danger signs, try to see a healthcare provider before you leave. Tell them about the crash, even if it seemed minor, and ask:
- Is it okay for me to drive or travel home now?
- Which symptoms should send me to an emergency room on the way?
- When should I follow up with my doctor at home?
The CDC suggests resting for the first day or two, then easing back into light activity. Tell your doctor if symptoms do not improve within two to three weeks or get worse as you return to normal life. Keep copies of any visit notes and the crash report so your doctor at home has the full picture.
Getting checked in the area
If you are staying in the area for a while, a local provider such as a chiropractor or primary care doctor can decide whether concussion testing makes sense. When they do, Braintree's mobile team comes to that provider's office in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, Dunedin and nearby communities. There is no separate testing center to find, and scheduling is coordinated with your provider.
Results are shared as physician-reviewed diagnostic reports with the provider caring for you. You can read more on our [For Patients page](https://braintreehealth.org/for-patients), learn about [concussion and TBI testing](https://braintreehealth.org/concussion-tbi-testing), or see [mobile testing in St. Petersburg and Clearwater](https://braintreehealth.org/st-petersburg-clearwater). Recent local crash reports are on the [St. Petersburg & Clearwater Crash Map](https://braintreehealth.org/st-petersburg-clearwater#crash-map).
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a concussion if I didn't hit my head in the crash?
Yes. The CDC says a jolt to the body that makes the head move quickly back and forth can cause a concussion.
My symptoms started a day after the accident. Is that normal?
It can be. The CDC notes that some concussion symptoms may not appear for hours or days after an injury.
Is it safe to drive or fly home after a concussion?
Ask a healthcare provider before you travel. They can tell you when it is safe to drive and which symptoms should send you to an emergency room.
Where is the nearest trauma center in Pinellas County?
Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg is the county's adult Level II trauma center. Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital is a pediatric trauma center. In an emergency, go to the closest ER.
Can I get concussion testing while I'm still in Clearwater?
If a local provider decides testing makes sense, Braintree's mobile team can test you at that provider's office. Scheduling is coordinated with the provider.
Sources
- Visit St. Pete/Clearwater: Tourism drives $10 billion economic impact (January 2026)
- FLHSMV: Florida Traffic Crash Facts Annual Report 2024
- CDC: About mild TBI and concussion
- CDC: Symptoms of mild TBI and concussion (including danger signs)
- CDC: What to do after a mild TBI or concussion
- Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital: Emergency services and trauma care
- Florida Department of Health: Florida trauma centers (updated July 23, 2026)
- Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg
- BayCare Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater
- BayCare St. Anthony's Hospital, St. Petersburg
- BayCare Mease Dunedin Hospital
Photo credits: Clearwater Memorial Causeway main span by Andrew Heneen, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped). Packing a suitcase, via Pexels.
This article is educational and is not medical or legal advice. If this is a medical emergency, call 911.
