After a car crash, many people hear the same phrase: “It was just a minor accident.” The bumper damage looks small. The vehicle seems drivable. An insurance adjuster may even suggest the impact was too low to cause serious injury.
But your brain does not measure injury by how the car looks.
Even low-speed collisions in Geneva, Batavia, or St. Charles can cause traumatic brain injuries. If you hit your head, felt dazed, or noticed unusual symptoms after a crash, it is important to take it seriously, even if vehicle damage appears minor.
Why Low-Impact Collisions Can Still Cause a TBI
A traumatic brain injury happens when the brain moves rapidly inside the skull due to sudden force. That movement can occur even at lower speeds.
Common local crash scenarios include:
- Rear-end collisions at stoplights
- Parking lot crashes
- Slow-moving traffic accidents
- Fender benders on neighborhood roads
Your head may snap forward and backward or strike the headrest, window, or steering wheel. Rapid deceleration alone can be enough to cause brain trauma.
The condition of the vehicle does not always reflect the force placed on your body.
Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury After a Crash
Brain injuries are often called invisible injuries because symptoms may not appear right away.
Watch for:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Confusion or brain fog
- Memory issues
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Fatigue or mood changes
Many people in Batavia and St. Charles feel fine immediately after a crash, only to develop symptoms days later. Insurance companies often question delayed symptoms, which is why seeking medical care early is critical.
How Insurance Companies Respond to “Minor” Crash Claims
Insurance companies frequently argue:
- The vehicle damage was minor
- The impact could not cause a brain injury
- You would have gone to the hospital immediately
Medical science does not support those assumptions. The human body absorbs crash forces differently than a vehicle. A small dent does not mean a small injury.
What To Do After a Low-Impact Crash
If you are involved in a collision in Geneva, Batavia, or St. Charles:
- Get medical attention if you hit your head or feel unusual symptoms.
- Document symptoms as they develop.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan.
- Avoid minimizing what you are experiencing.
Brain injuries can affect concentration, work performance, sleep, and daily life. Taking action early protects both your health and your legal rights.
Contact O’Brien Law After a Car Accident
If you are experiencing symptoms after a so-called minor car accident, do not let an insurance company dismiss your injury.
O’Brien Law proudly represents injury victims in Geneva, Batavia, St. Charles, and throughout Kane and DuPage County.
If another driver’s negligence caused your crash, you should not have to shoulder the financial burden of a traumatic brain injury.
