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

Who this is for: Written for patients and families living with symptoms after a crash or fall, looking for trustworthy next steps.

Key takeaways

  • Read the emergency red-flags page first, and share it with your family.
  • Our symptom guides explain why symptoms can appear days later and why you can have a concussion without blacking out.
  • Testing is always arranged through your own treating provider, who receives a copy after a neurologist interprets the results.
  • Track symptoms daily and bring the checklist to every appointment.
  • Your provider is your main contact for medical questions. For testing-process questions, call 813-709-3771.

Information for patients and families

If you have been in a car accident or fall and are dealing with headaches, dizziness, fogginess or other changes, you are not alone, and you are in the right place to learn more. This page gathers Braintree's plain-language guides for patients and the people who support them. Testing is always arranged through your own treating provider, who gets a copy once a neurologist has interpreted the results and will discuss them with you.

Writing down your provider's answers helps, because memory problems after a head injury are common.

Understanding your symptoms

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

Our guides cover common symptoms after a head injury: headaches that last for weeks, dizziness and balance problems, light and noise sensitivity, memory and focus problems, mood and irritability, and sleep changes. We also explain why symptoms can appear days after a crash, and why you can have a concussion without blacking out.

If your provider has arranged testing

Read what to expect and the preparation checklist. Testing happens at your provider's office, is non-invasive and typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, and the technician explains each step. Our pages on eye-movement, thinking-skills and brain-activity testing describe each part in everyday language.

Related in this series: Post-Accident Symptom Checklist (Printable), Patients: What to Expect on Testing Day and Family Guide: Noticing Changes in a Loved One After a Crash. For the full overview, start with our guide, Recovery, Work and Family.

Getting back to daily life

Read our guides on returning to driving and returning to work, and talk with your provider before making big changes. Teens, older adults and Spanish-speaking families have their own guides. Recovery plans differ from person to person, so follow your own provider's advice about rest, screens, sleep and activity.

You are not alone, and you are in the right place to learn more.

For family members

Physician in a white coat speaking with a patient
A neurologist interprets the report; the treating provider then receives a copy.

Our family guide explains which changes to watch for, how to raise them kindly and how to help at appointments.

Questions to ask your provider

  • What do you think is causing my symptoms?
  • Would testing help?
  • What should I avoid while I recover?
  • When can I drive, work or exercise again?
  • Which symptoms should make me call you or go to the ER?

Write down the answers, because memory problems after a head injury are common.

Keep everything together

Use one folder or notebook for your accident report, provider notes, symptom checklists and appointment dates. Use the symptom checklist for a daily record. For questions about the testing process, call Braintree at 813-709-3771.

First, know the emergency signs

A headache that gets worse, repeated vomiting, a seizure, weakness, slurred speech, unusual drowsiness or increasing confusion means calling 911 or going to the ER right away.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I start?

With the symptom checklist, then talk with your provider.

Does Braintree treat my symptoms?

No. Your treating provider decides care.

We diagnose. You treat.

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.