Signs of a Concussion: When to Get Checked

Signs of a Concussion: When to Get Checked

Signs of a concussion include headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and sensitivity to light or noise. Symptoms may appear right away or hours later. Most people never lose consciousness. Any head impact that causes these symptoms is reason enough to see a doctor.

Concussions are among the most missed injuries after accidents. Many people walk away from a car crash, slip and fall, or sports collision feeling fine — only to notice symptoms hours or even days later. Knowing what to look for, and when to act, can protect your health and your ability to document what happened.

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head — or by a hit to the body that whips the head and brain back and forth. The CDC explains that this movement causes the brain to bounce inside the skull, triggering chemical changes and sometimes stretching brain cells.

The injury doesn't have to be dramatic. You don't need to hit your head directly. A rear-end car collision, a fall that snaps your head back, or a hard body blow can all cause a concussion. And — contrary to what many people believe — most concussions don't involve any loss of consciousness.

Immediate Signs of a Concussion

Some concussion symptoms show up within minutes of the injury. These are the most commonly recognized:

• Headache or pressure in the head — The most frequent symptom. It may feel like a dull ache or a building pressure rather than a sharp pain.
• Dizziness or balance problems — A spinning sensation, lightheadedness, or unsteadiness on your feet.
• Nausea or vomiting — Can occur shortly after impact.
• Blurred or double vision — Visual disturbances are common right after head trauma.
• Confusion or feeling "foggy" — Difficulty processing information, answering questions, or following a conversation.
• Slowed reaction time — Taking longer than usual to respond to things around you.
• Sensitivity to light or noise — Ordinary light and sound feel uncomfortable or painful.
• Memory gaps around the event — Unable to recall the moment of impact or the minutes before and after.

These concussion symptoms can be subtle. After an accident, adrenaline runs high. Pain and disorientation get chalked up to fear or shock. That's why concussions so often go unnoticed at the scene.

Delayed Signs of a Concussion — Symptoms That Show Up Later

Here's what many accident victims don't know: signs of a concussion don't always appear right away.

The chemical changes that happen in the brain after impact take time to develop. You can feel completely fine for hours after an accident, then notice symptoms that evening, the next morning, or two to three days later. The CDC confirms this — some concussion symptoms may not appear for hours or days after the injury.

Delayed symptoms to watch for:

• Persistent or worsening headaches — Especially ones that start mild and build over time.
• Sleep disturbances — Sleeping far more than usual, trouble falling asleep, or waking through the night.
• Mood changes — Irritability, sadness, anxiety, or feeling more emotional than normal.
• Difficulty concentrating — Trouble focusing at work or school, taking longer to finish familiar tasks.
• Memory problems — Forgetting recent conversations or information you'd normally retain easily.
• Fatigue — A deep tiredness that doesn't go away with sleep.
• Brain fog — A vague sense that thinking is slower or harder than it should be.

If any of these show up in the days after an accident, see a doctor. Don't wait to see if they clear up on their own.

Emergency Warning Signs — Call 911 or Go to the ER

Some symptoms after a head injury point to a potentially life-threatening condition, like bleeding or swelling inside the skull. These need emergency care right away. The CDC lists these danger signs:

• A headache that keeps getting worse
• Repeated vomiting (more than once)
• Seizures or convulsions
• One pupil larger than the other
• Extreme drowsiness — or can't be woken up
• Slurred speech
• Loss of consciousness (even briefly, after an initial period of being awake)
• Growing confusion, restlessness, or agitation
• Numbness or tingling in arms or legs

These can signal a serious brain injury — such as bleeding between the brain and skull — that requires immediate imaging and treatment. If you notice any of these, don't drive yourself. Call 911.

How Concussions Are Diagnosed

There's no single test that confirms a concussion. Doctors use a clinical evaluation that typically includes:

• How the injury happened
• A review of current symptoms
• Neurological tests checking vision, coordination, balance, and reflexes
• Cognitive testing: memory, concentration, processing speed

Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may order a CT scan or MRI. These don't diagnose a concussion itself, but they rule out bleeding or structural damage that needs urgent treatment.

Doctor vs. ER — a simple guide:

• Urgent care or your regular doctor: Symptoms are mild and stable (manageable headache, light dizziness, slight confusion) and none of the danger signs above are present.
• Emergency room: Any of those warning signs are present, or your symptoms are getting worse fast.

When in doubt, go to the ER. The risk of missing a serious brain injury is far greater than the inconvenience of an unnecessary visit.

When Symptoms Don't Go Away — Post-Concussion Syndrome

Most concussions clear up within one to three weeks with rest and proper care. But for some people, symptoms last much longer. That's called persistent post-concussive symptoms, or post-concussion syndrome (PCS).

The Mayo Clinic notes that most doctors diagnose PCS when symptoms continue for at least three months after the injury. Common PCS symptoms include:

• Ongoing headaches — often the most prominent complaint
• Chronic brain fog
• Trouble sleeping
• Depression or anxiety
• Dizziness that comes and goes

PCS calls for specialist follow-up — often a neurologist or neuropsychologist. Treatment may include physical therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and targeted care for specific symptoms.

If your symptoms aren't improving within a few weeks, ask for a referral.

Why Seeing a Doctor Right Away Matters

Getting medical care quickly is good for your health. It's also how you create a record that connects your concussion symptoms to the accident.

If your concussion was caused by someone else's carelessness — a distracted driver, a property owner who ignored a hazard, an employer who skipped safety protocols — that documentation matters later. Waiting days or weeks to seek care makes it harder to tie your injury to what happened.

If your concussion was the result of someone else's negligence, the Queens brain injury lawyers at The Orlow Firm can help you understand your options. The firm has handled traumatic brain injury cases throughout New York City for over 40 years.

Frequently Asked Questions About Concussion Signs

What are the 4 main signs of a concussion?

The four most common signs of a concussion are headache, dizziness, confusion, and sensitivity to light or noise. Others include nausea, blurred vision, and mental fogginess. You don't need all four — even one or two symptoms after a head impact is enough reason to see a doctor.

Can you have a concussion without hitting your head?

Yes. A concussion can happen whenever a force causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. A rear-end collision that whips your head forward and back — with no direct blow — can cause a concussion. So can a hard body hit that jolts the head.

How long do concussion symptoms last?

Most concussion symptoms clear up within one to three weeks with rest and proper care. Symptoms that persist past three months may indicate post-concussion syndrome, which needs specialist evaluation.

Can I go to sleep with a concussion?

Yes — current CDC guidance supports rest, including sleep, as a key part of concussion recovery. The old advice to "stay awake for 24 hours" is outdated. If emergency warning signs appear, wake the person immediately and call 911.

Sources & Official Resources

Federal Health Sources

1. About Mild TBI and Concussion — CDC

2. Signs and Symptoms of Concussion — CDC HEADS UP

3. What to Do After a Mild TBI or Concussion — CDC

4. Recovery from Concussion — CDC HEADS UP

Medical Reference

5. Persistent Post-Concussive Symptoms (Post-Concussion Syndrome) — Mayo Clinic

Contact The Orlow Firm

If you or a family member suffered a concussion or brain injury in a Queens or New York City accident, The Orlow Firm is here to help. Founded in 1982, our attorneys have represented injured New Yorkers for over 40 years. We offer a free initial consultation — no fee unless we win.

Call us at (646) 647-3398. Se Habla Español.