This article is part of our Chiropractic services series at Southern Nevada Chiropractic Car Accident Treatment Centers in Las Vegas. For the complete overview, see the full guide:
A concussion after a car accident is a brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt, and you don’t have to hit your head to get one. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, trouble concentrating, and feeling foggy can all point to a concussion. A neck injury such as whiplash can cause some of the same symptoms, so a physician should evaluate you.
At Southern Nevada Chiropractic, we see neck pain, back pain, and whiplash in people who have been in a car accident. We don’t diagnose or treat concussions. If your symptoms point to your head, see a physician first, and then talk with us about your neck.
Concussion After a Car Accident: Symptoms and Danger Signs
A concussion is a brain injury from a bump, blow, or jolt that makes the head move quickly back and forth. In a crash, a sudden stop can do that even if your head never touches the window, steering wheel, or headrest.
The CDC’s list of concussion signs and symptoms falls into four groups.
- Physical: headaches, dizziness or balance problems, nausea or vomiting early on, being bothered by light or noise, vision problems, and feeling tired with no energy.
- Thinking: attention or concentration problems, feeling foggy or groggy, memory problems, and trouble thinking clearly.
- Mood: irritability, feeling more emotional, and anxiety.
- Sleep: sleeping more or less than usual, or trouble falling asleep.
Some symptoms show up right away, while others may not appear for hours or days, once you’re back at work or trying to sleep.
Certain signs need emergency care right away. The CDC lists these danger signs after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. If you notice any of them, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department:
- One pupil larger than the other, or double vision.
- A headache that gets worse and does not go away.
- Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination.
- Repeated nausea or vomiting, or convulsions or seizures.
- Unusual behavior, increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation.
- Not being able to recognize people or places.
- Loss of consciousness, increasing drowsiness, or not being able to wake up.
In pain now? → Call to schedule an appointment at Southern Nevada Chiropractic Car Accident Treatment Centers
How Whiplash Can Cause Concussion-Like Symptoms
Whiplash is a neck injury from the quick back-and-forth motion of the head in a crash. It can strain the muscles and sprain the ligaments that support the neck, and it can irritate the small joints of the cervical spine.
A hurt neck can cause headaches that start at the base of the skull and spread toward the forehead or behind the eyes. Some people feel dizzy or unsteady when they turn their head. Pain and poor sleep can also make it hard to focus, which can feel a lot like the fog people describe after a head injury.
The two problems can happen together. The same jolt that strains the neck can move the brain inside the skull, so having whiplash doesn’t rule out a concussion. Our post on headaches, dizziness, and brain fog after a car accident covers those lingering symptoms in more detail.
Concussion vs Neck Injury Symptoms After a Las Vegas Crash
This table shows how common symptoms line up, though it can’t tell you which injury you have.
| Symptom | Can come from concussion | Can come from a neck injury |
|---|---|---|
| Headache | Yes | Yes, often starting at the base of the skull |
| Dizziness or balance problems | Yes | Yes, sometimes brought on by moving the neck |
| Nausea or vomiting | Yes, early on | Less likely, so get it checked |
| Bothered by light or noise | Yes | Not a typical neck symptom |
| Trouble concentrating or feeling foggy | Yes | Can happen with pain and poor sleep |
| Memory problems | Yes | Can happen with a neck injury too, so get them checked |
| Neck pain and stiffness | Can happen at the same time | Yes, a main symptom |
| Irritability or sleep changes | Yes | Can happen with ongoing pain |
Several symptoms show up in both columns, and that overlap is why a physician should check you for concussion first. It helps to write down when each symptom started and what makes it better or worse. Those notes can help your physician, and they can help us too.
Neck Pain Treatment in Las Vegas After a Medical Evaluation
Our role is the neck. Once a physician has evaluated you for concussion, our neck pain treatment in Las Vegas focuses on the neck pain, stiffness, and neck-related headaches that can follow a crash. At your first visit, we’ll ask you to describe the crash in your own words. We’ll also ask how your headaches, neck pain, and other symptoms have changed between that day and now.
Depending on what we find, care for your neck can include:
- Manual soft tissue therapy for tight, sore neck muscles.
- Therapeutic exercise and stretching to help your neck move more easily.
- TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) to help with pain.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a concussion, tell us, and follow your physician’s guidance on activity and getting back to your routine. If head symptoms get worse at any point, get medical care first.
Frequently Asked Questions About Concussion After a Car Accident in Las Vegas
Can you get a concussion after a car accident without hitting your head?
Yes, a jolt that makes your head move quickly back and forth can cause a concussion without a direct hit.
How long after a crash can concussion symptoms appear?
Some symptoms appear right away, and others may not show up for hours or days. A physician should evaluate new or worsening symptoms.
Can whiplash cause headaches and dizziness?
Yes, a neck injury can cause headaches that start at the base of the skull and dizziness, sometimes brought on by moving the neck. Because these symptoms overlap with concussion, a physician should check you first.
Should I see a physician or a chiropractor for a possible concussion?
See a physician, because concussion needs a medical evaluation. We don’t diagnose or treat concussion, but we can help with neck pain and stiffness after you’ve been evaluated.
Neck Care After a Crash in Las Vegas and Henderson
Once a physician has checked you for concussion, Southern Nevada Chiropractic can help with the neck pain and stiffness that may be left. You can reach out to our team or call (702) 688-8540 to ask about care for your neck.
Last reviewed: November 2026
Medically reviewed by Dr. Michael Reiss, DC, Nevada license no. B00774
Content is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for an individual medical evaluation. If you have emergency symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
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Dr. Michael Reiss, DC has practiced chiropractic in Las Vegas since 1998. A graduate of Life Chiropractic College West, he founded Southern Nevada Chiropractic to specialize exclusively in car accident and injury recovery across the Las Vegas Valley.
He is the author of The Las Vegas Car Accident Victim’s Health Guide and contributes to The Modern Physician Letter, a national publication for medical doctors.
His clinics have earned 2,000+ five-star Google reviews across 9 Valley locations.