Many people brush off soreness, stiffness, or neck pain after an accident as “just whiplash.” However, at times, the pain is suggestive of something much more serious, a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Since TBIs can be hard to recognize, one of the most important things you can do to protect your health and any future legal claim is to document your symptoms carefully.

Understand the Connection Between Neck Injuries and TBIs

When you are in a crash, your body moves suddenly and violently. The same force that strains your neck can also cause your whole brain to move within your skull. This can lead to serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, which are caused by bruising, swelling, or damage to the brain tissue.

Start a Symptom Journal Immediately

Immediately after the injury, start a journal to document possible TBI symptoms. It does not have to be complicated. A simple notebook or phone app will do. Note down:

• Dates and times when symptoms appear or worsen.

• Sleep behavior, including trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
• Cognitive challenges like forgetting what you were doing or having difficulty concentrating.
• Mood changes, such as anxiety, depression, or irritability.

When you write things down, you are creating a timeline that a doctor and a lawyer can use to connect your symptoms to the accident.

Get Medical Attention Early

Be sure to see a doctor soon after the accident, even if your neck pain is not bad. Your doctor in the emergency room or at a primary care office, or a neurologist, can determine if your neck injury could also involve damage to your brain. Brain injuries are not often straightforward and get worse over time, and assessment can make life easier.

Ask for Detailed Medical Records

It is essential to get your medical documentation right for your health and for legal claims. Ask for copies of:

• Initial exam reports from your ER or urgent care visit.
• Imaging results such as CT scans or MRIs.
• Neurologist, chiropractor, or physical therapist follow-up notes.

Prescriptions and treatment plans include recommendations for rest or rehabilitation. Keep these records in a dedicated folder or digital file. Regular documentation from your healthcare provider indicates that you are serious about your symptoms and have followed their advice. This goes a long way in the context of your medical treatment and liability claim.

Gather Supporting Evidence Beyond Medical Records

While your symptom journal and medical records tell most of the story, evidence can help build your case if you ever need to file an injury claim. Useful items include:

• Pictures showing outward injuries or bruises on the neck or head.
• Have people that saw the incident or observed a change after it speak on your behalf. 

• Work records, like emails explaining a missed shift or a dip in performance.
• Changes in your mood, energy, or personality, as noticed by your family or friends.

Your medical bills and the report from your doctor will help prove the extent of your injury. 

Follow All Treatment Instructions

Consistent follow-up care matters. Go to all appointments, take your medication as prescribed and go to all therapies that are recommended to you. Errors in your recovery and documentation trail can weaken your case if you skip appointments or avoid follow-through. Every time you visit the doctor, you create more evidence that shows the progression of your injury.

Key Takeaways

• After a car accident, if you have neck pain, it can be more serious than you think. In fact, neck pain could be a sign of brain injury. 
• You should maintain a symptom journal to log patterns, severity, and progressions.
• Request a medical evaluation as soon as you can; TBIs may develop slowly or go unnoticed.
• Maintain complete documentation and medical records.
• Use all treatment plans, as they strengthen recovery and preserve evidence.