Delayed Brain Injury Symptoms After a Chicago Car Accident

After a serious car accident, traumatic brain injury symptoms are not always immediately obvious—especially in older adults. Confusion, memory loss, personality changes, and worsening cognitive function may develop or become more noticeable over time. When those changes are disputed by an insurance company, strong medical evidence and experienced legal advocacy can make a meaningful difference.

Earlier this year, Thomas J. Gabryszewski secured a $100,000 settlement for an 88-year-old client injured in a serious Chicago car accident. Although liability for the crash was clear, the case involved a difficult question: whether the collision-related traumatic brain injury contributed to the client’s rapid cognitive decline and dementia.

Why Traumatic Brain Injuries Can Be Difficult to Identify

A traumatic brain injury, often called a TBI, can occur when a sudden impact causes the brain to move inside the skull. In a motor vehicle collision, that force may result from a direct blow to the head, a violent jolt, or even rapid movement of the neck and body.

Some people experience immediate symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, vision changes, or loss of consciousness. Others may initially appear relatively stable. In the days, weeks, or months after a crash, family members may begin noticing memory problems, changes in mood, difficulty concentrating, disrupted sleep, or a reduced ability to complete familiar tasks.

For older adults, these symptoms can be especially complicated. A person may already have age-related cognitive changes or an underlying condition that was not previously disabling. That can give insurers an opening to argue that a crash did not cause—or did not worsen—the person’s decline.

A Serious Chicago Car Accident and a Contested Claim

In this case, there was no meaningful dispute over who caused the collision. The challenge was proving the full extent of the harm that followed. The defense disputed whether the client’s traumatic brain injury was connected to the rapid cognitive decline and dementia symptoms that developed after the accident.

These are not simple cases. A clear liability finding does not automatically mean an insurer will fairly compensate an injured person for every loss. When a client has delayed symptoms, preexisting health conditions, or a complex medical history, the insurance company may focus on uncertainty rather than the reality of what the injured person and family are experiencing.

As a Chicago personal injury attorney, Thomas J. Gabryszewski works to make sure the story is supported by more than an insurance adjuster’s assumptions. That means carefully reviewing medical records, understanding the client’s condition before and after the crash, and building a case that reflects the true impact of the injury.

Medical Evidence Matters in Delayed-Symptom Cases

Cases involving delayed cognitive symptoms often require detailed medical analysis. Medical records can help document the timeline of symptoms, emergency care, follow-up appointments, diagnostic testing, rehabilitation, and changes in a patient’s daily functioning.

Family observations can also be important. Loved ones are frequently the first people to notice that someone is repeating questions, forgetting appointments, becoming disoriented, withdrawing socially, or struggling with tasks that were once routine. Their observations may help establish the difference between a person’s life before the accident and the challenges that followed.

Expert testimony may be necessary when the relationship between an accident and a later cognitive decline is contested. Physicians and other qualified experts can review the medical evidence and explain whether the trauma likely caused, accelerated, or aggravated a condition. In a traumatic brain injury case, this work can be essential to presenting a complete picture.

Resolving the Case Before Trial

After years of litigation, medical review, and expert testimony, the case resolved shortly before trial for $100,000. The settlement helped the client avoid the additional stress of appearing in court while still obtaining fair compensation for the claim.

Settling shortly before trial is not always the right outcome for every case. But when a resolution addresses the client’s needs and avoids the physical and emotional demands of courtroom testimony, it can be an important result. Every case requires an individual assessment of the evidence, the client’s health, the available insurance coverage, and the risks of continued litigation.

Thomas J. Gabryszewski is committed to helping injured people in Chicago and nearby suburbs understand their options clearly. Clients work directly with him from the first call through settlement or trial, with practical guidance at every stage of the process.

What Families Should Do After a Suspected TBI

If an older adult experiences cognitive, behavioral, or neurological changes after a car accident, it is important to seek prompt medical attention. Do not assume that confusion, headaches, balance problems, or memory loss will simply pass on their own. Timely evaluation can help protect the person’s health and create important medical documentation.

Families should also keep track of changes they observe. A simple journal can document symptoms, medical appointments, missed activities, care needs, and changes in independence. Save medical bills, discharge paperwork, prescriptions, crash reports, and any communication from insurance companies.

Before giving a recorded statement or accepting an early settlement offer, consider speaking with a car accident lawyer in Chicago. Early offers may not account for the long-term consequences of a traumatic brain injury, ongoing treatment, lost independence, or the needs of family caregivers.

FAQ

Can a car accident make dementia symptoms worse?

A traumatic event may worsen or accelerate cognitive symptoms in some circumstances. Whether an accident contributed to a person’s decline depends on the medical evidence, the person’s health before the crash, the nature of the collision, and expert analysis.

What are common TBI symptoms after a car accident?

Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, memory problems, fatigue, sleep changes, mood changes, sensitivity to light or noise, trouble concentrating, and balance issues. Seek medical care promptly if these symptoms appear after a collision.

How long do I have to make an injury claim in Illinois?

Deadlines can vary based on the facts of the case and the parties involved. It is best to speak with an Illinois personal injury attorney as soon as possible so important evidence can be preserved and applicable deadlines can be reviewed.

Why would an insurance company dispute a brain injury claim?

Insurance companies may argue that symptoms were preexisting, unrelated to the accident, temporary, or unsupported by medical evidence. A thorough investigation and well-supported medical evidence can help address those arguments.

Can I speak with a Chicago traumatic brain injury lawyer?

Yes. If you or a loved one was injured in an accident, contact Thomas J. Gabryszewski for a free consultation. Call (312) 856-1099 or text (708) 320-0753.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.