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Guide · Injuries after a crash · All states

Concussion and head injury after a car accident

Updated By Spencer, editorEvery fact cites a sourceGeneral information, not legal or medical advice

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, and traffic accidents are a common cause of head injuries, according to MedlinePlus. Symptoms can show up right away or develop over hours or days. In New Jersey, your own PIP pays treatment first unless you made health insurance primary. Checked October 12, 2026.

Sources: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Head injury - first aid; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-5(g); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3(d); New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Auto Insurance New Jersey Buyer's Guide

Health facts here come from MedlinePlus, not from a doctor who knows you. They aren't medical advice. If you're hurt, see a doctor. In an emergency, call 911.

When to call for help

MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, says to call emergency services right away if any of these is true.

  1. Severe bleeding from the head or faceCall right away.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Head injury - first aid
  2. The person is confused, tired or unconsciousMedlinePlus lists it among the reasons to call.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Head injury - first aid
  3. The person stops breathingCall right away.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Head injury - first aid
  4. A serious head or neck injury is suspectedOr the person develops any signs or symptoms of a serious head injury, like those below.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Head injury - first aid

Signs to get medical help right away

For a moderate to severe head injury, MedlinePlus says to call emergency services right away. It says to get medical help right away if the person:

  1. Becomes very sleepyGet medical help right away.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Head injury - first aid
  2. Behaves abnormallyOr has speech that doesn't make sense.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Head injury - first aid
  3. Develops a severe headache or stiff neckGet medical help right away.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Head injury - first aid
  4. Has a seizureGet medical help right away.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Head injury - first aid
  5. Has pupils of unequal sizesThe pupil is the dark central part of the eye.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Head injury - first aid
  6. Can't move all or part of an arm or legGet medical help right away.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Head injury - first aid
  7. Loses consciousness, even brieflyGet medical help right away.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Head injury - first aid
  8. Vomits more than onceGet medical help right away.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Head injury - first aid

Symptoms can show up later

MedlinePlus says symptoms of a head injury can occur right away or develop slowly over several hours or days. For a mild head injury, it says to contact your provider for advice and watch for symptoms, which can show up later.

Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Head injury - first aid

NJWho pays for treatment

In New Jersey, your own auto policy's PIP pays medical bills first, whoever caused the crash, unless you chose to make health insurance primary. It covers up to $250,000 unless a lower amount was chosen in writing.

NJEven on a lower PIP amount

Medically necessary treatment of a permanent or significant brain injury is still covered up to $250,000.

Source: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-5(g)
NJBills past your PIP limits

They can be claimed from the person at fault, along with deductibles and copayments through a driver's secondary insurance coverage.

Source: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-12; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-2(k)
NJLost income, on a standard policy

PIP pays up to $100 a week and $5,200 in all, never more than the net income normally earned, unless the benefit was dropped.

Source: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4(b), (c), (e); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3(b); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-10; New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Auto Insurance New Jersey Buyer's Guide
Source: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-5(g); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3(d); New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Auto Insurance New Jersey Buyer's Guide

NJHow a head injury fits a claim

Unless a driver chose otherwise in writing, a New Jersey policy limits pain and suffering claims to the injuries the law lists. For a concussion, that usually means a permanent injury.

NJWhat permanent means

The body part or organ hasn't healed to function normally and won't with further medical treatment.

Source: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8(a); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-2(i); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8.1(b)
NJWhat proves it

A certification from the treating doctor, or a board-certified doctor, based on objective clinical evidence, which may include medical testing. The testing can't be experimental or depend entirely on what the patient reports.

Source: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8(a); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-2(i); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8.1(b)
NJYour share of the fault

It cuts what you recover. Above 50%, you recover nothing.

Source: N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1; N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.2
NJThe deadline

An injury lawsuit generally must be filed within 2 years.

Source: N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2(a)

Sources

General information, not legal or medical advice. We don't know the facts of your claim. A lawyer can review them, and most injury lawyers offer a free consultation.

What to do next

Questions people ask

Can concussion symptoms show up days after a car accident?

Yes. MedlinePlus says symptoms of a head injury can occur right away or develop slowly over several hours or days.

When should I go to the hospital for a head injury after a car accident?

MedlinePlus says to call emergency services right away if there is severe head or face bleeding, the person is confused, tired or unconscious, stops breathing, or you suspect a serious head or neck injury. It also says to get medical help right away if the person becomes very sleepy, behaves abnormally, has a severe headache or stiff neck, has a seizure, has unequal pupils, can't move an arm or leg, loses consciousness even briefly, or vomits more than once.

Who pays for concussion treatment after a car accident in New Jersey?

Your own PIP pays medical bills first, whoever caused the crash, unless you chose to make health insurance primary. Even on a lower PIP amount, the law covers medically necessary treatment of a permanent or significant brain injury up to $250,000.

Can I sue for a concussion in New Jersey?

For medical bills your PIP doesn't cover, yes. For pain and suffering, the lawsuit limit applies unless the driver chose otherwise in writing. It allows only listed injuries, which for a concussion usually means proving a permanent injury.

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