Why Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) After Car Accidents Often Don’t Show Up on CT Scans
Insurance companies often seize on a “normal CT scan” to downplay injuries after a car accident. However, mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are frequently microstructural and may not appear on standard imaging, even though they can cause lasting cognitive, emotional, and functional impairments. Understanding how TBIs occur and how to document them is critical to protecting your personal injury claim in Texas.
How TBIs Occur in Car Accidents
Traumatic brain injuries can result from direct impacts to the head or even from sudden acceleration and deceleration forces during a collision. In many accidents, the head may hit a steering wheel, window, or headrest, or the brain may shift inside the skull due to whiplash-like forces. This movement can shear or tear axons—the tiny nerve fibers that transmit signals throughout the brain. These microscopic injuries, called diffuse axonal injuries, do not regenerate and are not always visible on standard CT scans.
Even minor collisions can cause significant axonal damage. The resulting injuries can affect memory, attention, concentration, emotional regulation, motivation, and executive functioning, profoundly changing a person’s life.
Why Insurance Companies Misinterpret “Normal” Scans
Adjusters often insist that a “normal CT scan” proves there is no injury. This is misleading. CT scans are excellent for detecting hemorrhages, skull fractures, or large structural brain injuries but are not sensitive enough for microstructural damage like axonal shearing. Similarly, early MRIs may also appear normal. The absence of visible damage does not mean the TBI is not real or debilitating.
Insurance companies may attempt to use this as leverage to undervalue a claim, arguing that the injury is minor or not related to the crash. This is why expert medical documentation and independent neurological evaluations are essential.
Subtle Signs of a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Even if imaging is normal, TBIs can present with real, measurable symptoms, including:
Persistent headaches, dizziness, or nausea
Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, or confusion
Mood swings, irritability, or depression
Sleep disturbances or fatigue
Sensory sensitivities (light, sound)
Balance or coordination problems
Tracking these symptoms over time strengthens your personal injury claim by demonstrating the ongoing impact of the accident.
How Mild TBIs Affect Personal Injury Claims
In Texas personal injury cases, the value of a claim depends not only on objective findings but also on functional impairments and medical documentation. When TBIs go undetected on imaging, thorough symptom documentation and specialist evaluations are crucial. Cognitive testing, neuropsychological assessments, and treatment records provide the evidence insurers and courts need to understand the severity of your injury.
Even minor-looking accidents can result in serious long-term brain damage. Proper evaluation and documentation can significantly increase the compensation you may receive for medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering.
Steps to Protect Your Claim After a Car Accident
Seek Immediate Medical Evaluation: Visit a neurologist or TBI specialist for cognitive testing and a thorough assessment, even if standard imaging appears normal.
Keep a Detailed Symptom Journal: Track headaches, memory issues, emotional changes, and daily limitations consistently.
Follow All Recommended Treatments: Attend therapy, follow-up visits, and prescribed care to show that you are actively managing your injuries.
Collect Comprehensive Medical Evidence: Maintain all test results, imaging, physician notes, and rehabilitation records.
Consult an Experienced Texas Personal Injury Attorney: Early involvement ensures your medical evidence is properly presented, strengthening your claim and helping maximize compensation.
Call (214) 716-2434 to Speak Directly with a Lawyer 24/7: Free Case Consultation
