Understanding the Long-Term Impact of Concussion and Brain Injuries After a Crash
Many people underestimate the seriousness of head injuries after a vehicle crash, especially if there are no immediate symptoms. It's common to feel shaken but otherwise okay, only to have complications appear hours or days later.
Headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and memory problems may seem unrelated at first, but they could point to a more serious condition. That’s why it’s so important to get medical attention right away after any impact to the head.
At Schefman & Associates, PC in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, we’ve worked with many clients who walked away from a crash thinking they were lucky to have avoided serious harm—only to discover later that they had sustained a concussion or other traumatic brain injury. The long-term effects of these injuries can be devastating, even when the initial symptoms seem minor.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most misunderstood injuries in the personal injury field. Unlike broken bones or visible wounds, the effects of a brain injury often take time to show up, and when they do, they can affect everything from mood and memory to coordination and sleep.
If you’ve been in a crash and suspect a head injury, it’s important to act quickly—not only for your health but also to protect your right to compensation under Michigan’s personal injury laws.
What Makes Concussions and Brain Injuries So Dangerous?
Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries can be caused by a direct blow to the head, sudden movement of the brain within the skull, or both. These injuries often occur in rear-end crashes, T-bone collisions, and even low-speed accidents where a person hits the steering wheel, window, or headrest.
One of the most troubling aspects of a brain injury is its invisibility. Symptoms might not appear for hours or days, and some people go weeks before realizing they’ve suffered cognitive damage. That delay often leads insurance companies to downplay or deny personal injury claims, which is where we step in.
We’ve represented countless clients who were told they were “fine” after a crash, only to later face migraines, confusion, irritability, and difficulty focusing. These symptoms interfere with work, family life, and even simple daily tasks.
In Michigan, these injuries can qualify for both medical benefits and non-economic damages, but proving their full extent takes effort and careful documentation.
Recognizing the Symptoms After a Crash
If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident in Michigan, even a mild concussion can result in serious long-term effects. Many people ignore the signs, believing they’ll go away on their own. In personal injury law, that kind of delay can give insurers a reason to deny your claim.
The symptoms of a brain injury often include:
Headaches that persist or worsen
Dizziness or balance issues
Memory problems or difficulty concentrating
Changes in sleep patterns
Sensitivity to light or noise
Irritability, mood swings, or depression
Nausea or vomiting
Slurred speech or delayed response times
These symptoms may appear immediately or develop gradually. Regardless of when they show up, medical documentation is essential to connect the injury to your crash. We work closely with neurologists, neuropsychologists, and other specialists who can evaluate the impact of your injury and help build a strong personal injury case.
Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance and Brain Injuries
Michigan’s no-fault system means that your own insurance will typically pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and certain household services, regardless of who caused the crash. This system is designed to offer quick access to benefits, but it doesn’t always address the full extent of a brain injury’s consequences.
If your symptoms are ongoing or you suffer long-term impairment, you may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages. In Michigan, this is allowed when a crash results in:
A serious impairment of body function
A permanent serious disfigurement
Death
We often help clients establish that their brain injury meets this legal threshold, especially when their cognitive or emotional difficulties prevent them from returning to work, driving, or maintaining relationships. A personal injury lawsuit can also recover future medical costs and diminished earning potential.
The Long-Term Impact of Concussions and TBIs
Brain injuries affect each person differently, and the outcomes can last a lifetime. In some cases, clients experience a temporary loss of memory or difficulty sleeping, which improves with time. In others, the effects become permanent and interfere with nearly every area of life.
Some of the most common long-term impacts we’ve seen in personal injury cases include:
Chronic headaches: These often persist for years and require ongoing medication or therapy.
Cognitive decline: Victims may struggle with decision-making, problem-solving, and memory recall.
Emotional instability: Depression, anxiety, and emotional outbursts are common, even in people who had no prior history.
Reduced work capacity: Some individuals are unable to return to their previous jobs, especially if the work involves concentration or multitasking.
Relationship strain: Communication issues and mood swings can disrupt marriages, parenting, and social life.
Increased risk of degenerative brain disease: Repeated injuries or even a single severe incident can raise the risk of long-term neurological disorders, including dementia.
We make sure these long-term consequences are reflected in every personal injury settlement or verdict. Insurers may try to pay only for the immediate aftermath of a crash, but we press for compensation that reflects the full scope of the injury.
Key Evidence in Brain Injury Personal Injury Claims
To pursue a strong personal injury case involving a concussion or TBI, we focus on gathering the right evidence early. Here are the items that make the biggest difference:
Emergency room and hospital records
Neuroimaging (MRI, CT scans)
Neurological evaluations
Neuropsychological testing
Statements from caregivers or family members describing changes in behavior
Testimony from medical professionals
Proof of missed work and lost wages
Journals tracking daily symptoms and challenges
Each of these pieces of evidence adds depth and credibility to your personal injury claim. Our job is to bring all of them together in a way that highlights how the crash has altered your life.
Proving Causation in Michigan Courts
In Michigan, to succeed in a personal injury claim, we must prove that your brain injury was caused by the crash—not by a pre-existing condition, unrelated incident, or another source. Insurance companies love to argue that symptoms were already present, especially if a client had past medical history involving anxiety, migraines, or sleep issues.
We counter this argument with medical records, specialist evaluations, and careful tracking of how your condition changed after the accident. Even if you had prior issues, Michigan law allows recovery when a crash worsens a pre-existing condition. That legal principle often comes into play in brain injury claims.
When to File a Lawsuit
Michigan’s statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is three years from the date of the crash. For no-fault benefits, however, claims must be submitted within one year of the treatment or loss. Waiting too long can prevent you from recovering damages.
If your brain injury symptoms linger or grow worse, we recommend speaking to a personal injury attorney sooner rather than later. The earlier we get involved, the more likely we are to preserve key evidence, track symptoms, and hold the insurance company accountable.
Financial Recovery for Brain Injuries
The financial impact of a concussion or traumatic brain injury can be staggering. Between ongoing care, therapy, and lost income, many victims face long-term economic pressure. Michigan law allows recovery for both economic and non-economic losses, including:
Medical expenses (current and future)
Rehabilitation costs
Lost wages
Diminished future earning potential
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Every personal injury case is different, but one thing remains the same: the sooner we can assess your situation and gather the right documentation, the stronger your claim will be.
Contact Our Firm Today
At Schefman & Associates, PC, we understand how to prove the seriousness of your injury and fight for the personal injury compensation you’re entitled to. Located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, we serve clients throughout Oakland County, Wayne County, Macomb County, and Washtenaw County. Call one of our personal injury attorneys today.
