Nobody walks away from a car accident the same, especially when your head takes the hit.
Sometimes, the damage isn’t immediately obvious. No bleeding, no bruising, maybe just a headache you chalk up to whiplash or adrenaline, you chalk it up to whiplash or adrenaline.
But behind the scenes, your brain might be dealing with something far more serious: a TBI after a car accident.
These kinds of injuries don’t always shout. They whisper. And if you’re not paying close attention, that whisper can turn into a long-term struggle you didn’t see coming.
Let’s not overcomplicate it—Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is any sudden damage to the brain caused by an external force.
In the case of car accidents, the most common culprits are rapid head movements (like whiplash), direct hits to the skull, or even just the brain colliding with the inside of the skull due to sudden deceleration.
There are a few types to be aware of:
Concussions – the most frequent and often underestimated type. Even a “mild” concussion is still brain trauma.
Contusions – actual bruising of brain tissue, typically from a direct impact.
Diffuse Axonal Injury – this one’s sneakier; it happens when the brain shifts rapidly inside the skull, causing nerve fibers to stretch and tear. It’s a subtle but serious form of nerve damage that often flies under the radar in the early stages.
And that’s the tricky part: some TBIs don’t show symptoms right away. You might feel fine after the accident, only to start noticing things hours—or even days—later.
Let’s say you’ve had a minor fender bender. No broken bones, no visible cuts, you’re sent home from the ER with a clean bill of health. But over the next few days, something feels...off.
This is where awareness can save you. Common symptoms of TBI include:
Headaches that won’t go away—or get worse
Dizziness, nausea, or vomiting
Trouble focusing or remembering things
Sensitivity to light or noise
Mood swings or sudden irritability
Changes in sleep (sleeping too much or too little)
Some people even describe feeling like they’re in a fog or as if the world around them is slightly out of sync.
Maybe you chalk it up to stress, or try to relieve a headache with some rest and over-the-counter remedies. And sure, those things can happen from stress or trauma in general, but if you’ve recently been in an accident, don’t dismiss them!
Be sure to visit a headache chiropractor to find relief without having to rely on meds.
Here’s the thing: your brain isn’t like your arm. If you break your arm, it gets set, it heals, and you move on. But a brain injury? That needs monitoring, care, and often a whole lot of patience.
Catching a TBI after a car accident early means you have a better shot at managing symptoms before they become life-altering.
Left untreated, even a mild TBI can lead to chronic issues, like memory problems, personality changes, or difficulties with coordination.
And while CT scans and MRIs are common diagnostic tools, not all brain injuries show up on imaging.
That’s why clinical evaluations, symptom tracking, and follow-up care are so important. In other words, trust your body. If something feels off, it probably is.
Let’s talk reality for a moment. Healing from a TBI isn’t linear. Some days are better than others. And no two recoveries are the same.
Treatment typically starts with rest, physical, and cognitive. That means not just taking time off work, but also easing up on screen time, avoiding loud environments, and even limiting deep conversations that require mental effort.
From there, the recovery process may include:
Chiropractic care – to relieve chronic neck pain and spine tension that may worsen symptoms
Physical therapy - especially if balance or coordination is affected
Neurological rehabilitation – targeted therapies to retrain the brain and improve function
Nutritional support and lifestyle changes – because the brain needs the right fuel to heal
And here’s something most people don’t talk about: emotional support. Living with a TBI can be isolating, especially if others can’t “see” your injury.
That’s why having a care team that not only understands the physical side but also the emotional toll can make a world of difference.
If you’ve been in a collision—even a low-speed one—and hit your head or felt the jolt in your neck or back, it’s worth getting checked out.
You don’t need to wait for symptoms to spiral before asking questions. Sometimes, even subtle discomfort can be one of the early signs you need chiropractic care.
A TBI after a car accident can affect how you move, think, sleep, and feel. You deserve clarity. You deserve peace of mind. Getting ahead of a potential problem isn’t overreacting—it’s being smart.
And if you’re worried about being “dramatic” for seeking care, let me just say this: you only get one brain. Protecting it isn’t dramatic—it’s necessary.
TBI after a car accident isn’t something you want to navigate alone or with cookie-cutter care.
You need professionals who know the nuances of neurological injury and how interconnected the body is—spine, brain, muscles, emotions, everything.
That’s where specialized providers come in. Dr. Bhasin and her team of expert auto injury chiropractors at Oregon Medical Centers LLC bring over three decades of experience in helping patients recover from auto injuries.
Rather than just offering short-term relief, we focus on fixing the root causes so you can heal completely. With our deep understanding of how auto accidents affect the body, we create personalized treatment plans that are tailored to your unique needs.
Whether you're dealing with ongoing pain or are experiencing new symptoms, our goal is simple: to help you heal completely and avoid future complications.
With locations in both Salem and Aloha, we make the process easier by handling all your insurance paperwork. And, since your auto insurance may cover up to $15,000 in medical expenses, you can focus fully on your recovery without worrying about anything else.
If you've been in a car accident and something still feels “off,” don't brush it off.
Call us today at 503-390-1552 to schedule an evaluation and make sure your brain gets the care it deserves!
