Can You Have a Concussion Without Hitting Your Head?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that almost 300,000 Americans sustain concussions each year in car accidents. Many people suffer concussions during vehicle crashes after hitting their heads on steering wheels, dashboards, windows, headrests, and more. But some also notice concussion symptoms without having their heads come into contact with anything and wonder, “Can you have a concussion without hitting your head?”

You might not think this is possible. However, non-impact concussions are more common than people realize. You can still damage your brain and alter your brain chemistry by taking an indirect hit to the head.

Discover more about how people can sustain concussions without hitting their heads below.

How Can You Have a Concussion Without Hitting Your Head?

It might seem as though it would be impossible to suffer a concussion without taking at least a small hit to the head. But surprisingly, the answer to the question, “Can you have a concussion without hitting your head?” is “Yes.”

The majority of concussions stem from direct hits to people’s heads. But you can also sustain a concussion by making any movement that causes your brain to slam into the interior of your skull.

Let’s say, for example, that you’re rear-ended during a car accident and your neck snaps forward forcefully. You might end up suffering a neck injury called whiplash.

You might also receive a concussion diagnosis before everything is all said and done. When your neck snaps forward like this during a motor vehicle accident, your brain can also move forward violently and crash into your skull, causing a concussion to occur.

In this case, your head hasn’t been hit directly by anything, but it may not stop you from suffering concussion symptoms. You’ll need to have both your neck and head examined for signs of these symptoms.

What Signs Suggest You May Have a Non-Impact Concussion?

If you believe you may have sustained a non-impact concussion during a car accident or another type of accident, begin looking out for signs of concussion symptoms immediately. These symptoms should start to present themselves shortly after an accident takes place.

Here are some common concussion symptoms:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Disorientation
• Memory issues
• Light sensitivity
• Personality changes

It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to non-impact concussions. Even if you only spot one or two of these symptoms, it won’t hurt to have a medical professional evaluate you for a concussion.

Can You Make a Full Recovery From a Concussion Caused by an Indirect Hit?

An increased amount of research on concussions has been done in recent years since head injuries have become such common injuries within the sports world. It has led to startling new evidence that suggests concussions might not heal as quickly as doctors once thought.

A 2023 study conducted in Britain revealed that about half of the people who sustain concussions don’t fully recover from them within the first six months. They often suffer from the short-term symptoms we listed, as well as long-term symptoms like trouble sleeping, focus and concentration problems, and even emotional distress.

Did You Sustain a Concussion in an Accident? Call Our Personal Injury Law Firm

After finding out the answer to the question, “Can you have a concussion without hitting your head?” you should think twice about turning down the chance to receive an evaluation for a non-impact concussion after an accident. You should also consider taking legal action against an at-fault party if someone else caused an accident that led to you suffering a concussion. Reach out to us at Geoff McDonald & Associates by calling 804-888-8888 or contacting us online for assistance.