What Should You Know About Traumatic Brain Injuries After a Car Accident?

 Posted on July 15, 2026 in Personal Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a car accident can change your life in ways that are not always immediately visible. Unlike a broken bone, brain injuries can be subtle at first and worsen over time. Many accident victims do not realize how serious their injury is until days or weeks after the crash.

If you were in a car accident in 2026 and suffered a TBI, our Midland car accident lawyers can help you understand your legal options. At Morales Law Office, Attorneys at Law, PLLC., we will fight to ensure you are fully compensated for everything a traumatic brain injury can cost you.

What Are the Different Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries?

Not all TBIs are the same. They range from relatively mild to severely debilitating. The type of injury affects how it is treated and how it is valued in a legal claim.

Common types of TBIs include:

• Concussion: A temporary disruption of brain function that can have lasting effects if not properly treated
• Contusion: A bruise on the brain tissue that can cause swelling and bleeding
• Diffuse axonal injury: Widespread damage to the brain's nerve fibers and is often caused by the rotational forces in a crash
• Penetrating injury: Occurs when an object pierces the skull and enters the brain
• Second impact syndrome: Happens when a person suffers a second concussion before fully recovering from the first and can be far more severe than either injury alone

Even a mild TBI can have significant and lasting effects on a person's ability to work, maintain relationships, and enjoy daily life.

Why Is Medical Documentation So Important in a TBI Case?

The connection between your accident and your brain injury has to be proven through medical evidence. See a doctor right away and follow through with all recommended treatment. Gaps in care give insurance companies room to argue that your injury was not serious. Consistent medical documentation protects both your health and your claim.

How Does Texas Law Apply to TBI Claims After a Car Accident?

In Texas, car accident claims are governed by the modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. If you are found to be partly at fault for the accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover anything.

Insurance companies often try to shift some of the blame onto the injured person to reduce what they have to pay. Having strong evidence of the other driver's fault and an attorney who will push back is essential to protecting the full value of your claim.

Texas also has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Missing that deadline can permanently bar you from recovering any compensation, no matter how serious your injuries are.

What Damages Can You Recover for a TBI After a Car Accident in Texas?

Traumatic brain injuries often lead to long-term costs and losses. If another driver's negligence caused your injury, you may be able to recover compensation for many different things.

Recoverable damages include:

• Past and future medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment
• Lost wages if the injury kept you from working
• Loss of future earning capacity if the injury affects your ability to work long-term
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium if a spouse or family member has had to take on a caregiving role

TBI claims are often more complex than other personal injury cases. The full extent of the injury and its long-term impact may not be clear for months or years after the accident. Working with medical experts and life care planners who can project future costs is an important part of making sure your claim accounts for everything you will need going forward.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Austin, TX Car Accident Attorneys

A traumatic brain injury can affect every part of your life. Pursuing fair compensation for that injury is not something you should have to do alone. Our Midland personal injury lawyers bring decades of experience to every case. We understand both the medical complexity of TBI claims and what it takes to fight insurance companies that try to minimize serious injuries.

Contact Morales Law Office, Attorneys at Law, PLLC. at 512-474-2222 to schedule your free consultation today.