Last Updated September 19, 2026
Short answer
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. CDC says it can come from a blow to the head or a hit to the body that snaps the head. You do not have to pass out. A normal CT scan does not mean you are clear.
Maybe you walked around the wreck. Maybe you told the officer you were okay because you wanted to get home. Then the lights got bright, or you could not find words, or you slept sixteen hours. CDC’s mild TBI page is the consumer source we use here. It is not a diagnosis. For more severe injuries, use traumatic brain injury.
What CDC actually says
Most TBIs each year are mild TBIs, which CDC discusses together with concussion. The brain can bounce or twist inside the skull. That can change how you think, sleep, feel, or act. Loss of consciousness is not required. NINDS describes concussion the same way: a type of mild TBI that can take minutes or months to settle.
Why insurers argue about it
There is often no bruise they can photograph. So they ask whether you hit your head, whether you mentioned it that night, and whether you already had headaches. Answer honestly. Then keep the follow-up visits. See evidence and pain and suffering.
When it is more than a concussion
Worsening confusion, repeated vomiting, a seizure, or a growing headache needs urgent care. Those can be signs of something worse than a concussion. This page cannot triage you. If a clinician later talks about a moderate or severe TBI, use the TBI guide.
How Brock & Stout can help
We can gather the ER notes, the normal scan, and the follow-up visits so the file is not just “you said you were fine.” Call or request a free consultation. We cannot promise a particular result, and we do not diagnose concussions.
Frequently asked questions
Personal injury claims are subject to filing deadlines, and the deadline that applies can depend on the facts of the case. Different notice requirements may apply depending on who is involved. Do not use this website to calculate a filing deadline. Speak with an attorney promptly.
Yes. CDC and NINDS both say you can have a concussion without losing consciousness. Only a clinician can diagnose you.
Related resources
- Car Accident Injury Claims — Car Accident Injury Claims
If another driver’s negligence caused a crash, you may have a claim against that driver and available insurance. Your own policy can also matter, including uninsured motorist coverage. This page does not calculate a filing deadline or a settlement value.
- Neck Injuries and Whiplash — Neck Injuries and Whiplash
Whiplash is a common name for a neck injury from a sudden back-and-forth motion. Insurers sometimes treat it as minor because X-rays can look normal. Soft-tissue injury is still an injury. A clinician has to evaluate you.
- Psychological Effects After an Injury — Psychological Effects After an Injury
A traumatic event can be followed by anxiety, depression, sleep problems, or post-traumatic stress. Those conditions are diagnosed by clinicians, not by a law-firm website. When they are documented, they can be part of damages. They are not automatic.
- Rear-End Accidents — Rear-End Accidents
A rear-end crash is one vehicle hitting the back of another. People assume the trailing driver is always at fault. That is often the starting point, not a finished answer. Brake lights, following distance, a sudden stop, and a third vehicle can all show up in the file.
- Traumatic Brain Injury After an Accident — Traumatic Brain Injury After an Accident
A traumatic brain injury is caused by a bump, blow, jolt, or penetrating injury. Symptoms can show up later. This page summarizes public medical information. It is not a diagnosis and it does not estimate a case value.
Injured and not sure what to do next?
Call now or request a free case evaluation. We can review what happened and explain options. We cannot promise a particular result.
This page is general educational information about personal injury claims as of the date shown. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not guarantee a result. Facts, insurance coverage, and state law vary. Do not use this website to calculate a filing deadline. Personal Injury Knowledge Center
