Can You Get a Concussion From Whiplash?

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the sudden back-and-forth movement of the head, and it is most common after a car crash. Many people assume a concussion needs a hard knock to the head. It does not, and that matters if you have a headache, feel foggy or are dizzy after an accident.

Can you get a concussion from whiplash?

Yes, it is possible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says a mild traumatic brain injury, or concussion, can be caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head, or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. That quick back-and-forth movement is the same kind of motion that causes whiplash, so one crash can strain your neck and injure your brain at the same time, even if your head never hit anything.

That does not mean everyone with whiplash has a concussion. They are two different injuries that can happen in the same crash, and having one does not prove you have the other. The CDC notes that healthcare providers may describe concussions as mild because they are usually not life-threatening, but says their effects can still be serious.

Whiplash and concussion symptoms side by side

Part of the confusion is that the two injuries share symptoms. Cleveland Clinic lists headaches, vision problems and dizziness among the symptoms of whiplash. The CDC lists headaches, vision problems and dizziness or balance problems among the symptoms of concussion as well. So a headache or dizziness after a crash could come from your neck, your brain, or both.

Neck pain, stiffness and muscle spasms point mainly to the neck. Trouble thinking clearly, memory problems, feeling foggy or slowed down, and being bothered by light or noise are on the CDC's concussion list but not on Cleveland Clinic's whiplash list. If you notice any of those after a crash, mention them, even if your neck is what hurts most.

Why symptoms can show up later

Do not judge the injury only by how you feel at the scene. The NHS says it can take several hours for whiplash symptoms to appear. The CDC says some concussion symptoms appear right away while others may not appear for hours or days, and that a week or two after the injury you may notice you feel more emotional than usual or have trouble sleeping.

A normal test result does not settle the question either. The CDC says a healthcare provider may test your memory, concentration and problem solving, and that even if the injury does not show up on these tests, you may still have a concussion. That is why what you tell a clinician about your symptoms matters as much as any test.

What to do after a crash if you have head symptoms

1. Get checked by a healthcare provider. The CDC says people with a mild TBI or concussion need to be seen by one, and that getting care can help speed recovery. The NHS says that if you hit your head at high speed, such as in a road accident, you should call for emergency help.
2. Describe every symptom, including ones that seem unrelated to your neck, such as feeling foggy, irritable or unusually tired.
3. Once you have been checked, rest and avoid stress at first. For looking after a minor head injury at home, the NHS also advises that an adult stays with you for at least the first 24 hours.
4. Do not drive until you feel you have fully recovered, as the NHS advises, and ask a doctor if you are not sure it is safe to drive or go back to work.
5. Watch how long it lasts. The NHS says you might have symptoms for up to 2 weeks after a head injury, and to see a doctor if they last longer.

Florida's 14-day PIP rule

Florida's personal injury protection law pays medical benefits only when initial services and care are received within 14 days after the accident. A chiropractic physician is one of the providers who can give that initial care. What your policy covers depends on your policy and your insurer, so ask your insurer about your own case.

What a neck evaluation at Align the Spine looks at

At Align the Spine in Deerfield Beach, a car-accident evaluation looks at how your neck and upper back move and where the pain sits. Tell us about any head symptoms too, and if something about your symptoms worries you, say so and ask what the next step should be. Dr. Abe Nasser, D.C., sees patients in English and Spanish.

If your neck hurts after a crash, do not wait to see whether it passes. If your head does not feel right, get checked by a healthcare provider, as the CDC advises, and call 911 for any of the danger signs above. For more on the neck side of the injury, see our guides on how long whiplash lasts and how to treat whiplash.