Home › Blog › Hidden Head Injury: 5 Warning Signs Days After a Crash

Hidden Head Injury: 5 Warning Signs Days After a Crash

You walked away from the crash and felt okay. Then came the headache that won’t quit, the fog, the short fuse. Head injuries are notorious for surfacing days later — and they are not something to wait out. This is information, not medical advice: when in doubt, see a doctor.

Why symptoms are delayed

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The CDC notes that symptoms are different for every person and may affect how you feel, think, act, or sleep — and they can take hours or days to appear as you try to return to normal life. Feeling fine right after the crash does not rule it out.

5 warning signs to watch for

1. Headache that won't go away or keeps getting worse.
2. Trouble thinking clearly — fogginess, slowed reactions, difficulty concentrating or remembering.
3. Mood and behavior changes — irritability, anxiety, feeling unusually emotional.
4. Sleep changes — sleeping much more or less than usual, or trouble falling asleep.
5. Sensory and balance problems — dizziness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light or noise, nausea.

What to do

See a doctor for any of the warning signs above, and tell them it followed a car accident. Rest as advised, avoid a second hit while recovering, and follow the return-to-activity guidance you're given. Keep a note of when symptoms started and how they change — it helps your care and documents the injury.

This page is general information, not medical advice. A licensed clinician should evaluate any possible head injury.

Sources & further reading

• CDC — Symptoms of Mild TBI and Concussion
• CDC — About Mild TBI and Concussion
• NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration