How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Concussion After a Car Accident?

If you’ve been in a car accident in Kansas City and walked away without any broken bones, you may feel lucky. But even if you didn’t hit your head, you could still be dealing with a concussion—and the recovery process isn’t always simple or fast. In many cases, symptoms show up later and last longer than most people expect.

In this guide, we’ll break down how long concussion recovery usually takes after a car crash, what can delay your healing, and how chiropractic care can support your recovery from day one.

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). It occurs when your brain is jolted inside your skull, often from a sudden stop or whiplash motion in a car accident. You don’t need to lose consciousness or hit your head to suffer a concussion. In fact, many concussion cases occur without any visible trauma at all.

Common causes in auto accidents include:

• Whiplash

• Head hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or window

• Violent shaking during the crash

How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Concussion?

Average Recovery Time

For most people, concussion symptoms improve within 7 to 14 days. However, full recovery can take up to 3 months, especially if:

• The concussion was moderate to severe

• You’ve had previous head injuries

• You didn’t seek treatment early

• You returned to work, school, or screens too soon

Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS)

Roughly 10-20% of concussion victims develop post-concussion syndrome, where symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and mental fog persist for weeks or even months.

If you’ve been in a crash and are still struggling with symptoms beyond a few weeks, don’t wait—get evaluated.

Common Symptoms to Watch For

Whether symptoms show up right away or a few days after your accident, here are signs that you may have a concussion:

• Headaches or pressure in your head

• Dizziness or balance issues

• Difficulty concentrating or memory problems

• Light and noise sensitivity

• Blurred vision

• Fatigue or low energy

• Irritability or mood swings

• Sleep disturbances

If you’ve noticed any of these after a car accident, especially here in the Kansas City area, you should seek medical and chiropractic evaluation right away.

Why Delayed Concussion Diagnosis Is Dangerous

Many concussion symptoms are subtle or chalked up to stress. That’s why so many accident victims ignore them—until things get worse.

The Risks of Ignoring a Concussion:

• Prolonged healing

• Missed work or school

• Chronic pain and headaches

• Increased risk of anxiety and depression

• Greater chance of reinjury

Worse, if you’re involved in a personal injury claim, not getting timely medical documentation can weaken your case. That’s why early diagnosis is essential—not just for your health, but also for your legal and financial future.

How Chiropractic Care Supports Concussion Recovery

At our Kansas City clinic, we understand that a concussion isn’t just a brain injury—it’s also tied to spinal misalignment, muscle strain, and nervous system dysfunction that often occur in car accidents.

Chiropractic Care Can Help By:

• Restoring alignment in the cervical spine (neck), improving brain-body communication

• Relieving pressure on nerves and muscles that may worsen headache or dizziness

• Reducing inflammation around the head, neck, and shoulders

• Improving blood flow to the brain, supporting natural healing

• Addressing related symptoms, such as neck stiffness, whiplash, or tension headaches

Combined with rest and other therapies, chiropractic care offers a drug-free, non-invasive path to recovery.

What Slows Down Concussion Recovery?

Even mild TBIs can linger if you don’t take the proper steps. Here are some common recovery blockers:

• Overexertion (going back to work or driving too soon)

• Ignoring symptoms

• Staring at screens for too long

• Skipping follow-up care

• Not addressing associated neck or spinal injuries

Recovery isn’t just about letting time pass. It’s about actively supporting your body’s healing process.

When Should You See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident?

Ideally, you should visit a personal injury chiropractor within 72 hours of your auto accident—even if you feel fine. Early care can catch hidden injuries, like concussions or whiplash, and help prevent long-term complications.

If it’s been weeks and you’re still feeling the effects of a head injury, it’s not too late to start treatment. Dr. Lance Stevenson in Kansas City offers free consultations and works with attorneys and insurance companies to make your care hassle-free.

What to Expect During Your Appointment

When you visit our clinic, we’ll perform a comprehensive evaluation that may include:

• Neurological screening for concussion symptoms

• Spinal assessment to check for misalignment or soft tissue damage

• Posture and balance testing

• Imaging if necessary (X-rays or MRI referrals)

• A personalized treatment plan for concussion recovery

Our goal is to help you heal quickly and completely—without drugs or surgery.

Call Now for Concussion Evaluation and Recovery Support

If you’ve been in a car accident in Kansas City and are still dealing with headaches, dizziness, or brain fog, you could be suffering from a concussion. Don’t let it go untreated.

Call Dr. Lance Stevenson at 816-226-7476 to schedule your free consultation. We’ll help you get answers, relief, and a clear path forward.

Your brain and body deserve expert care—let’s get you back to feeling like yourself again.

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Call us today for a free consultation or with any questions.

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