Hit Your Head in an Accident? Here's Why Your "Mild" Concussion Might Not Be So Mild

Insurance companies love to dismiss concussions as "just a bump on the head." But if you're still dealing with headaches, brain fog, or memory issues weeks later, your injury deserves to be taken seriously.

Why Do Insurance Companies Dismiss Concussions?

Concussions are what doctors call an "invisible injury." You can have a real brain injury and look completely fine on the outside. There's no cast, no stitches, no obvious sign that something is wrong.

Insurance adjusters know this, and they use it against you. Here are the arguments they love to make:

"Your CT scan was normal, so you're fine." This is misleading. CT scans don't show concussions—they're used to check for skull fractures and brain bleeding. A normal CT scan is actually expected with a concussion. It doesn't mean you don't have a brain injury.

"You didn't lose consciousness, so it's not serious." Also misleading. About 90% of concussions happen without any loss of consciousness. You can have a significant brain injury without ever blacking out.

"Your symptoms are probably just stress." This is a classic move to blame your symptoms on something other than the accident. But if you were fine before and now you're dealing with headaches, brain fog, and memory problems, the accident is the obvious cause.

What Does "Mild TBI" Actually Mean?

When doctors diagnose you with a concussion, they might also call it a "mild traumatic brain injury" or "mild TBI." That word "mild" causes a lot of confusion.

Here's what "mild" actually means in medical terms: it means you didn't go into a coma, you could still talk and respond after the injury, and you didn't have major brain bleeding. That's it. It doesn't mean your symptoms are mild or that the injury won't affect your life.

Think of it this way: a "mild" heart attack is still a heart attack. A "mild" TBI is still a brain injury.

If your medical records show code S06.0, that's documentation of a brain injury. It's not "just a headache" or "just stress"—it's an injury to your brain that deserves to be taken seriously.

What Symptoms Should I Watch For?

Concussion symptoms can be sneaky. Some show up right away, others develop over days. Here's what to pay attention to:

Physical symptoms: Headaches are the most common—they might feel like pressure or throbbing. Dizziness, feeling off-balance, nausea, blurry vision, and being extra sensitive to light and noise are also typical.

Thinking problems: This is the "brain fog" people talk about. You might feel like you're thinking through mud, have trouble concentrating, forget things more than usual, or struggle to find the right words.

Emotional changes: Concussions can affect your mood in ways that surprise people. You might feel more irritable, anxious, or down than usual. Mood swings are common.

Sleep issues: Some people sleep way more than usual after a concussion. Others can't sleep at all, or wake up constantly through the night.

Here's something important: keep track of your symptoms. Write them down every day—what you're experiencing, how bad it is, what makes it better or worse. This creates a record that supports your claim.

When Should I Be Worried That My Concussion Isn't Healing?

Most concussions get better within 2-4 weeks. But here's what they don't always tell you: somewhere between 10-30% of people develop what's called "post-concussion syndrome"—symptoms that stick around for months or even longer.

If you're still having significant symptoms after 6 weeks, that's not normal. If you're still struggling at 3 months, that's definitely a red flag. These milestones matter for your claim.

Factors that make longer recovery more likely: - You lost consciousness, even briefly - You can't remember the accident or the time right before/after - You've had concussions before - You had anxiety or depression before the accident - You didn't get treatment right away - You tried to push through and go back to normal activities too soon

If your symptoms are lasting longer than expected, make sure that's documented. Every time you see a doctor and report ongoing symptoms, that becomes part of your evidence.

What Kind of Evidence Helps a Concussion Claim?

Because concussions are invisible, documentation is everything. Here's what actually helps:

Medical records showing the injury: Your initial ER visit establishes that you hit your head. Follow-up visits show your symptoms are ongoing. Seeing a neurologist or concussion specialist adds credibility.

Neuropsychological testing: This is a game-changer. It's a series of tests that measure your memory, attention, and thinking speed. Unlike your symptoms (which insurance can call "subjective"), these test results are objective evidence. If the tests show your brain isn't working as well as it should, that's hard to argue with.

Your own symptom log: Keep a daily record of how you're feeling. Note your headaches, brain fog, sleep problems, mood changes. Write down what makes symptoms worse (like screens, noise, or trying to concentrate). This shows the real impact on your life.

Work and school impact: Did you miss work? Need reduced hours? Have trouble performing your job? Did your grades drop? Get this documented. A note from your employer about your performance changes or accommodations you needed is powerful evidence.

The key is consistency. If you're telling your doctor about headaches, keeping a symptom log showing headaches, and your work is suffering because of headaches—that's a compelling story. If there are gaps or inconsistencies, insurance will use them against you.

Injury Code Scanner

Select where it hurts to see potential ICD-10 codes in your medical records.

Understanding ICD-10 Code S06.0

S06.0 - Concussion. This is the medical code for a concussion—a brain injury caused by your head getting jolted or hit. Don't let the word "mild" fool you. Doctors call it "mild" because you didn't go into a coma, not because it can't seriously affect your life.

How much is a concussion case worth?

It depends a lot on how long your symptoms last. Concussions that resolve within a few weeks typically settle for $15,000-$30,000. If you develop post-concussion syndrome (symptoms lasting months), that range jumps to $50,000-$150,000. Cases with documented, lasting cognitive problems can exceed $200,000. These are ranges we've observed—your situation may be different.

My CT scan was normal. Does that mean I don't have a brain injury?

No. This is one of the biggest misconceptions about concussions. CT scans are designed to look for skull fractures and brain bleeding—serious emergencies that need immediate treatment. They don't show concussions. A normal CT scan is actually expected when you have a concussion. Your diagnosis is based on your symptoms and how the injury happened, not on imaging.

I didn't black out. Can I still have a concussion?

Absolutely. About 90% of concussions happen without any loss of consciousness. If you felt dazed, confused, or "not right" after hitting your head—even if you never blacked out—you may have had a concussion. The key symptoms are confusion, memory problems, headache, and feeling foggy, not whether you lost consciousness.

What is post-concussion syndrome?

Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is when your concussion symptoms don't go away on the normal timeline. Instead of feeling better in 2-4 weeks, you're still dealing with headaches, brain fog, mood changes, or other symptoms months later. PCS is a separate diagnosis (code F07.81) and significantly increases the value of your claim because it shows lasting impact.

How long do concussion symptoms usually last?

Most people start feeling significantly better within 2-4 weeks, with full recovery by about 3 months. But 10-30% of people develop symptoms that last much longer. If you're still having problems after 6 weeks, that's worth noting. If you're still struggling at 3 months, you should definitely be seeing a specialist and making sure everything is documented.

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