- Concussions are a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that often do not appear on routine CT or MRI, and symptoms may appear hours or days later.
- California generally provides two years to file most personal injury lawsuits. Do not wait to get legal advice.
- Strong claims rely on documentation: symptom logs, medical notes, specialist evaluations, and work impact evidence.
- Get a free case evaluation now at 800‑840‑2111. Call our California concussion lawyer today.
If you or a loved one has suffered a concussion due to someone else’s negligence, you’re facing more than just physical recovery. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that can have lasting effects on your cognitive function, emotional well-being, and quality of life.
The symptoms may seem minor at first, but concussions can lead to serious complications that impact your ability to work, care for your family, and enjoy daily activities.
When dealing with insurance companies and medical bills after a concussion injury, having an experienced concussion lawyer on your side is crucial. Insurance adjusters often minimize brain injuries, arguing that concussions aren’t “serious” enough to warrant significant compensation.
At GJEL Accident Attorneys, we’ve spent over 45 years fighting for brain injury victims throughout California, securing millions in compensation for clients who suffered concussions in car accidents, slip and falls, sports injuries, and workplace incidents.
Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of your situation.
Find out quickly at no cost to you. Speak with our team to determine if you have a case.
Call 1-866-268-7118
To better understand your legal options, it’s important to first understand the nature of concussion injuries and their potential long-term effects.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by a rapid movement of the brain inside the skull after a blow, jolt, or sudden acceleration such as after a car accident.
Many concussions do not show on standard CT or MRI, which is why diagnosis relies on clinical evaluation and follow‑up rather than imaging alone.
Symptoms can be immediate or delayed for hours or days, and may include headaches, dizziness, memory or concentration problems, light and noise sensitivity, and sleep disturbances.
If you suspect a concussion, seek medical care, follow return‑to‑work or school advice, and begin documenting symptoms. [Source: https://www.cdc.gov/traumatic-brain-injury/signs-symptoms/index.html]
Diagnostics and proof for concussion claims
How to Prove a Concussion in a Legal Claim
Insurance companies often point to normal imaging to downplay concussions. The proof comes from medical documentation and function, not just scans. Ask your providers about:
- Neurological exam findings and course of symptoms
- Neuropsychological testing for attention, memory, and processing speed
- Vestibular and oculomotor assessments when balance, vision, or motion sensitivity are issues
- Specialist notes from neurology, physical medicine and rehab, or concussion clinics
- Work and activity restrictions and employer documentation
- A daily symptom log you keep and bring to appointments
Routine CT or standard MRI can be normal in concussion, so high‑quality clinical records are critical. AANS
GJEL Pro Tip: Keep a concise Concussion Symptom and Treatment Log and save all visit summaries. This evidence helps connect your symptoms to the crash and supports settlement value.
Common Causes of Concussions in Injury Cases
Concussions frequently result from various types of accidents across California, with motor vehicle collisions being the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries requiring legal intervention.
Car accidents account for the majority of concussion cases we handle. High-speed impacts on busy California freeways like I-5, I-80, I-15, and Highway 101 create the sudden acceleration and deceleration forces that cause your brain to strike the inside of your skull. Even seemingly minor fender-benders can result in serious concussions, especially when airbags deploy or your head whips forward and backward.
Motorcycle crashes often produce severe concussions despite helmet use. The force of being thrown from a bike or the impact of hitting the ground can cause significant brain trauma. California’s year-round riding weather means motorcycle accidents remain a constant concern on our roadways.
Truck accidents involving commercial vehicles create devastating concussion injuries due to the massive size and weight differences. When an 80,000-pound truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the forces involved frequently cause traumatic brain injuries that require extensive medical treatment.
Sports injuries during recreational activities or organized sports also lead to concussion cases, particularly when facilities fail to maintain safe conditions or provide proper supervision.
Each of these accident types creates unique legal challenges that require experienced representation to ensure you receive fair compensation.
Regardless of how your concussion occurred, California law may entitle you to compensation.
Symptoms and Red Flags After a Concussion
Recognizing concussion symptoms is critical for both your health and any potential legal claim. Symptoms often appear in two phases: immediate and delayed onset.
Immediate Concussion Symptoms
Immediate symptoms include headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light or sound. You might feel dazed or experience brief loss of consciousness. However, many concussion victims remain alert immediately after impact, making the injury seem less serious than it actually is.
Delayed Concussion Symptoms
Delayed symptoms can emerge hours or days later, including persistent headaches, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, irritability, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. These delayed effects often catch victims off guard and can significantly impact your ability to work or attend school.
Red Flag Concussion Symptoms
Red flags requiring immediate medical attention include repeated vomiting, seizures, extreme confusion, worsening headaches, or loss of consciousness lasting more than a few seconds. If you experience slurred speech, weakness in limbs, or severe agitation, seek emergency care immediately.
Proper medical documentation is essential for your health and any future legal action. Keep detailed records of all symptoms, medical visits, and how your injuries affect daily activities. Many concussion victims struggle with return-to-work decisions, as cognitive symptoms may not be immediately apparent to employers or colleagues.
When someone else’s negligence causes your concussion, documenting these symptoms with medical professionals creates the foundation for a strong legal case. A qualified concussion injury attorney can help ensure your symptoms are properly recorded and valued.
These life-altering symptoms demonstrate why proper legal representation is essential.
Symptoms can appear right away or be delayed. Seek emergency care if red flags occur like repeated vomiting, seizures, severe worsening headache, or new weakness or confusion. CDC
How Concussions Affect Personal Injury Claims
Concussion cases present unique challenges in California personal injury law because brain injuries are often invisible and symptoms can be subjective. Insurance companies frequently exploit these characteristics to minimize or deny legitimate claims.
Insurance company tactics include arguing that your symptoms are unrelated to the accident, claiming pre-existing conditions caused your problems, or suggesting you’re exaggerating symptoms for financial gain. They may point to normal CT scans or MRIs as “proof” you weren’t seriously injured, despite medical evidence showing these tests often miss concussion damage.
Medical evidence becomes crucial in proving your concussion lawsuit in California. This includes emergency room records, neurological evaluations, neuropsychological testing, and ongoing treatment documentation. Expert medical testimony often explains how your specific accident mechanism could cause brain injury, even without visible trauma.
Proving causation requires establishing a clear timeline between your accident and symptom onset. This is why immediate medical attention and consistent follow-up care are vital. Any gaps in treatment give insurance companies ammunition to argue your symptoms aren’t accident-related.
California’s comparative negligence laws can also impact concussion claims. Even if you bear partial responsibility for an accident, you may still recover damages proportional to the other party’s fault. However, insurance adjusters will scrutinize every detail to shift blame and reduce their liability.
Successful concussion claims require experienced legal representation that understands both the medical complexities of brain injuries and the aggressive tactics insurance companies use to avoid fair compensation.
Understanding potential compensation amounts can help you make informed decisions about your case.
California Specific Rules That Can Affect Your Case
- Statute of limitations: Most personal injury cases must be filed within two years of the injury date. There are exceptions, so ask a lawyer promptly.
- Comparative negligence: California follows pure comparative negligence, so your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, not barred entirely.
Settlement Amounts for Concussion Cases
Concussion settlement amounts in California vary significantly based on injury severity, impact on your life, and long-term effects. Understanding these ranges helps set realistic expectations for your case value.
Minor concussion cases typically settle between $15,000 and $75,000. These involve brief symptoms that resolve within weeks to a few months, minimal medical treatment, and little impact on work or daily activities. However, even “minor” concussions can result in substantial settlements when they affect high-earning professionals or cause temporary but significant impairment.
Moderate concussion cases often range from $75,000 to $300,000. These involve persistent symptoms lasting several months, extensive medical treatment including specialist care, and notable impact on work performance or earning capacity. Cases involving post-concussion syndrome, where symptoms persist beyond normal recovery timeframes, fall into this category.
Severe concussion cases can exceed $300,000 and reach into millions for catastrophic injuries. These involve permanent cognitive impairment, inability to return to previous employment, ongoing medical needs, and significant life changes for both victims and families.
Key factors affecting concussion case value include lost wages and reduced earning capacity, medical expenses including future treatment costs, age and occupation at time of injury, pre-existing conditions that may complicate recovery, and documented impact on quality of life and relationships.
California’s high cost of living and medical care often drives settlement amounts higher than national averages. Additionally, the state’s strong plaintiff-friendly laws regarding pain and suffering damages can significantly increase compensation for concussion victims.
Several factors influence the value of your concussion claim beyond just medical bills and lost wages.
GJEL Results in Concussion & TBI Cases
GJEL Accident Attorneys has secured millions in compensation for California concussion and traumatic brain injury victims over our 45+ years of practice. Our track record demonstrates our ability to maximize recoveries even in challenging brain injury cases.
Recent case results include a $2.1 million settlement for a software engineer who suffered a concussion in a Bay Area freeway collision, resulting in cognitive difficulties that ended his tech career. We also secured $850,000 for a teacher whose concussion from a slip-and-fall accident caused persistent headaches and memory problems, forcing early retirement.
Another significant result involved $1.4 million for a construction worker who sustained a concussion when struck by falling debris. The injury caused post-concussion syndrome with ongoing symptoms that prevented him from returning to physical labor.
Our success rate in concussion cases exceeds 95%, with most cases settling before trial due to our thorough preparation and aggressive advocacy. We understand how to present complex medical evidence in ways that insurance companies and juries understand, translating invisible brain injuries into clear financial compensation.
What sets our results apart is our investment in top medical experts, cutting-edge neurological testing, and comprehensive documentation of how concussions impact our clients’ lives. We don’t accept lowball offers that fail to account for long-term consequences of brain injuries.
Every case receives personalized attention from experienced California concussion lawyers who understand the medical and legal complexities involved in traumatic brain injury claims.
Our deep understanding of California personal injury law extends to proven strategies for maximizing concussion case value.
What to Do After a Suspected Concussion
Taking the right steps immediately after a suspected concussion protects both your health and legal rights. Follow this essential checklist to strengthen any potential claim.
- Get medical care now. ER or urgent care creates the first record linking the crash to your symptoms.
- Start a daily symptom log. Note headaches, dizziness, cognitive issues, sleep, and triggers.
- Follow specialist referrals. Neurology, PM&R, vestibular or vision therapy if needed.
- Tell your employer about restrictions and missed work. Keep copies.
- Call the California concussion lawyers at GJEL Accident Attorneys to preserve evidence and deadlines.
Don’t wait to protect your legal rights when someone else’s negligence caused your brain injury.
Why Choose GJEL for Concussion Cases
GJEL Accident Attorneys brings unmatched experience and proven results to California concussion cases. Our specialized approach to traumatic brain injury law sets us apart from general personal injury firms.
Concussion claims require precise medical proof and experienced advocacy. Our attorneys focus on documenting the full impact of mTBI, from symptom evolution to work limitations. We partner with qualified medical experts and present your story clearly to insurers and juries.
Awards and recognition include selection as Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and Top 100 Trial Lawyers. We’ve received the Client Choice Award for exceptional service and maintain an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-review rating for legal ability and ethics.
Client testimonials consistently praise our compassionate approach during difficult times. One recent client said, “GJEL understood that my concussion affected every aspect of my life, not just my medical bills. They fought for compensation that truly reflected my losses.”
Our specialized resources include relationships with leading neurologists, neuropsychologists, and life care planners who provide expert testimony in concussion cases. We invest in advanced medical testing and documentation that insurance companies can’t dismiss.
No-risk guarantee means you pay nothing unless we win your case. We advance all costs for medical experts, testing, and case development, removing financial barriers to quality legal representation.
Trust your concussion case to attorneys who understand the serious, long-term impact of traumatic brain injuries.
San Francisco Concussion Lawyers – Local Resources
GJEL’s San Francisco concussion lawyers understand the unique challenges facing Bay Area brain injury victims. Our deep knowledge of local medical facilities and legal procedures ensures comprehensive representation for your case.
Local medical resources include UCSF Medical Center’s renowned neurology department, which provides advanced concussion testing and treatment protocols. San Francisco General Hospital’s trauma center offers 24/7 emergency care for serious brain injuries. CPMC’s concussion clinic specializes in post-concussion syndrome treatment and cognitive rehabilitation.
High-risk accident locations throughout San Francisco include the Bay Bridge approaches where heavy traffic and construction create dangerous conditions, Highway 101 through the city where speed and congestion lead to serious collisions, and the busy intersection corridors downtown where pedestrian and cyclist accidents frequently occur.
Court system familiarity gives our clients advantages in San Francisco Superior Court, where we’ve litigated hundreds of brain injury cases. Our attorneys know local judges, court procedures, and jury tendencies that can impact case outcomes.
Community connections include relationships with local rehabilitation specialists, vocational experts, and life care planners who understand the Bay Area’s high cost of living and competitive job market. This expertise ensures accurate calculation of lifetime damages for concussion victims.
Immediate response to accidents throughout San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo counties means faster evidence preservation and witness interviews. Our local presence allows us to visit accident scenes and coordinate with emergency responders when necessary.
If you’re dealing with a concussion injury anywhere in the Bay Area, don’t wait to protect your rights.
Get Your Free Concussion Case Evaluation
Don’t let insurance companies minimize your brain injury while medical bills pile up and your family struggles financially. California’s statute of limitations gives you limited time to protect your rights, and evidence disappears quickly after accidents.
Call 1-866-268-7118 now for your completely free consultation with experienced California concussion attorneys. We’re available 24/7 to discuss your case, answer questions, and explain your legal options at no cost or obligation.
No fees unless we win means you risk nothing by getting legal advice. We advance all case costs and only collect attorney fees when we secure compensation for your injuries. This contingency fee structure ensures access to top-quality legal representation regardless of your financial situation.
Immediate action protects crucial evidence and witness testimony that insurance companies hope will disappear over time. Our investigators begin working immediately to document accident scenes, secure surveillance footage, and interview witnesses while memories remain fresh.
Multiple contact options include our toll-free number, online case evaluation form, or visit our offices throughout California. We’ll come to you if injuries prevent travel to our office.
45+ years of experience recovering millions for California brain injury victims gives you confidence in our ability to maximize your concussion case value. Don’t face insurance companies alone when experienced legal help is just a phone call away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you sue for a concussion in California?
Yes, you typically can. Call us to discuss the details of your case.
California Concussion & Brain Injury Lawyers Near You
GJEL Accident Attorneys handles concussion and traumatic brain injury cases across California.
Visit the office nearest you for a free consultation, or meet with us at your home or hospital when needed.
Free consultations. If travel is difficult, we can meet you where it’s most convenient.
This article was written by California Personal Injury attorney Andy Gillin.
