Editorial & Legal Accuracy Notice (Louisiana)
This blog contains general legal and safety information and is not legal advice. Laws and deadlines can change, and outcomes depend on specific facts.
Last reviewed / updated: February 25, 2026
Reviewed, updated, and authored by: Stephen Babcock, Louisiana trial lawyer
After a car wreck, many people expect soreness and bruising. A new headache, especially when paired with fogginess, dizziness, nausea, or light sensitivity, can be a concussion signal that deserves medical attention and careful documentation.
CDC HEADS UP lists headaches and “feeling tired, no energy” among common concussion symptoms, and it also notes thinking, sleep, and mood changes that can show up in the days that follow.
We handle these cases with urgency because the medical timeline and the proof timeline run together. We are not built for volume. We are built for leverage. Speed + evidence preservation + insurer-insider knowledge + trial-ready preparation = The Babcock Benefit.
In crash-related concussions, leverage often means preserving evidence before repairs, recording symptom evolution before it gets dismissed, and preventing early insurer narratives from locking in “minor impact, minor injury.” That is what we mean by leverage, we keep the facts from drifting.
If you are inside the first 72 hours, call (225) 500-5000 or use the free case review form before evidence changes.
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Why a crash can cause a concussion, even without a direct head strike
A concussion is a brain injury that can follow a hit or jolt to the head or body, and symptoms can include headache, dizziness, and trouble thinking clearly, as explained on MedlinePlus.
In a vehicle collision, rapid acceleration and deceleration can transmit force through the neck and head, which is why symptoms may appear even when there is no obvious scalp injury.
Headache is common, but the pattern matters
Mayo Clinic lists headaches among common concussion symptoms and notes that symptoms often improve within days to weeks, which is why early evaluation and a clear baseline are so important.
Johns Hopkins Medicine includes headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and sleep changes among possible concussion symptoms, and also notes that symptoms can occur right away or worsen over minutes or hours after injury.
| Headache feature | Why it raises concussion concern | What to do right now |
|---|---|---|
| New headache after the crash | Timing supports a trauma-linked cause | Get evaluated, document onset time and severity |
| Headache plus brain fog or slowed thinking | Cognitive symptoms are common in concussion | Limit risky activity, follow medical guidance |
| Headache plus nausea, dizziness, or light sensitivity | Clusters of symptoms increase concern | Seek care, avoid driving if unsafe |
| Worsening headache over hours or days | Change in trajectory can be a red flag | Seek urgent medical care |
Leverage Note: This is why we tell clients to write down the first headache details the same day, because later the fight becomes “you never complained,” not “what happened.”
Red flags after a wreck: when to treat it as urgent
The goal is not to self-diagnose, it is to avoid missing something serious. The CDC discharge instructions emphasize that symptoms can change during recovery and that worsening or concerning symptoms should be discussed with a doctor.
If you have repeated vomiting, confusion that worsens, new weakness or numbness, seizures, slurred speech, or a headache that escalates fast, seek immediate medical care.
Practical recovery steps that protect your health
Once you are evaluated, follow a structured return to activity. Cleveland Clinic explains that concussion can cause a range of symptoms and that recovery varies, which is why individualized guidance matters more than internet timelines.
NINDS describes traumatic brain injury symptoms that can include headache and fatigue, and notes that they often resolve over time, which supports pacing and follow-up rather than pretending it did not happen.
Do not let the “normal CT” end the conversation
Many concussions do not show up on routine imaging, so clinical evaluation and symptom tracking remain central. That is why follow-up care and clear documentation can make the difference between a safe recovery plan and a prolonged, unmanaged symptom cycle.
Leverage Note: That is what we mean by leverage, we make sure the medical record reflects function and symptoms, not just “imaging negative.”
What we see in practice
What we see is that insurers often treat post-crash headaches like a bargaining chip. They may push for a quick recorded statement, minimize the impact, and imply the headache is “just stress” if you try to work through it.
We also see repairs happen fast, vehicles disappear into shops, and data or photos get lost. Once that happens, the defense has more room to argue biomechanics and severity without being challenged by the best evidence.
What to document if you are having headaches after a wreck
Document the basics, when the headache started, how it feels, what worsens it, what helps, and whether it comes with dizziness, nausea, light sensitivity, or fatigue. Keep the notes short but consistent, because consistency beats volume.
Also preserve the “before and after” picture, missed work, reduced hours, inability to drive, childcare help, and any accommodations. If your clinician gives restrictions, keep copies.
Leverage Note: This is why we gather records early, because once the insurer sets a low value based on a thin record, it takes more force to move it.
Louisiana Law Snapshot (Updated 2026)
In Louisiana, filing deadlines can turn on the incident date, so do not assume you have “plenty of time.” Under La. Civ. Code art. 3493.1, delictual actions are generally subject to a two-year liberative prescription running from the day injury or damage is sustained, and older incident dates may be governed by different prior-law deadlines.
Fault allocation is now outcome-determinative in many cases. Under La. Civ. Code art. 2323 as amended effective January 1, 2026, if the injured person is 51% or more at fault, recovery is barred, and if the injured person is 50% or less at fault, damages are reduced by the assigned percentage.
For crash cases, start with our car accident resource, and if you are dealing with ongoing head injury symptoms, review our brain injury page for issue-spotting and next steps.
Free case review: protect your claim while you protect your brain
We are not built for volume. We are built for leverage. If you have a headache after an auto wreck and any concussion-type symptoms, the safest course is medical evaluation and careful documentation, because symptoms evolve and proof disappears.
Our goal is to apply The Babcock Benefit in a calm, trial-ready way, preserve key evidence, identify deadlines, and prevent insurers from using early uncertainty against you. Call (225) 500-5000 or complete the free case review form at the bottom, especially if you are being pushed to settle before you know what this headache really is.
These items are helpful to have with you when you call, but do not delay calling because you do not have them. If you have them handy, keep them nearby for the call.
- The crash report number (if assigned) and the date, time, and location.
- Photos of vehicle damage, airbags, seatbelts, and the interior (headrests, impact points), if you have them.
- Your ER or urgent care paperwork, plus any follow-up notes and referrals.
- A short list of symptoms with dates, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, light sensitivity, fatigue, and sleep changes.
- Work or school restrictions and missed-time documentation (if applicable).
Call today if any of this is true
- Your headache is new, persistent, or worsens with screens, driving, or concentration.
- You feel foggy, slowed down, or unusually tired since the wreck.
- You have dizziness, nausea, light sensitivity, or sleep disruption with the headache.
- An insurer wants a recorded statement or quick settlement while you are still symptomatic.
- You are unsure how close you are to a deadline based on the incident date.
What happens next
- We triage medical and evidence needs, and identify what proof is at risk of disappearing first.
- We spot deadline and fault issues early, including how art. 3493.1 and art. 2323 may apply to your facts.
- We manage insurer contact strategy so your symptom evolution is not used against you.