Causes of a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI/Concussion)

A mild traumatic brain injury, often called a concussion, can happen in many ways—but motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes we see in our clinic. Even if there was no direct hit to the head, the sudden force or whiplash of a crash can cause the brain to move inside the skull, leading to injury.

You may have an mTBI if you’ve experienced any of the following:

• A motor vehicle accident, including rear-end collisions or rollovers
• An unexpected fall at home, work, or in public
• Being hit by or slammed into an object
• An assault or animal-related injury
• A sports-related collision with another player, the ground, or equipment

These injuries can happen anywhere, to anyone, and symptoms don’t always show up right away. That’s why early, accurate testing is key to proper diagnosis and recovery.

Quanitative Electroencephalography

We use non-invasive qEEG technology to map how the brain is functioning after injury. By placing small electrodes on the scalp, we record the brain’s electrical responses to sights, sounds, and other stimuli. This allows us to detect subtle changes in brain function that may result from a motor vehicle collision or other trauma. Because concussions and brain injuries often go unseen on traditional imaging, qEEG gives us a way to track brain activity over time. With this data, we can identify areas of dysfunction and recommend the most effective rehabilitation strategies to promote recovery.

Cognitive Evaluation

Cognitive impairment after a car accident is more common than many realize—and it doesn’t always require a direct blow to the head. According to the CDC, cognitive impairment refers to difficulty with memory, learning, concentration, or decision-making—abilities that are essential for everyday life. These challenges may start subtly, like forgetting where you placed your keys, but can progress to interfere with higher-level functions at home or at work. After a motor vehicle collision, even without loss of consciousness, the brain can be affected in ways that disrupt these abilities. Fortunately, once diagnosed, neurocognitive rehabilitation can help restore function, improve independence, and reduce long-term effects.

Posturography

Posturography is a powerful tool for uncovering hidden balance and stability issues following a concussion. This group of computerized tests evaluates your posture, balance, and equilibrium—systems that rely on the brain, inner ear, and musculoskeletal control to work together. Disruptions in these systems are common after a motor vehicle collision and may indicate an underlying neurological, vestibular, or postural problem. Unfortunately, these symptoms often go undiagnosed for weeks, months, or even years. Using a sophisticated computerized balance plate, we can detect even subtle deficits. Once identified, we can begin targeted rehabilitation to help you regain stability and get back on track.

Occular

Vision problems are one of the most common—and most overlooked—symptoms of concussion. After a head injury, it’s essential to evaluate how the eyes move, focus, and work together. This includes checking for eye tracking issues, double or blurred vision, difficulty reading, light sensitivity, and visual fatigue. Simple assessments—such as following a moving target or performing coordinated eye tasks—can uncover subtle but significant dysfunctions. Identifying and treating these ocular issues is a critical part of a complete and lasting concussion recovery.