Post-Accident Stroke or Aneurysm: Hidden Risks After a Crash

When people think about car accident injuries, they tend to think of broken bones, lacerations, and serious head trauma—all injuries that tend to be immediately obvious. But some of the most dangerous injuries you can suffer after a car accident don’t show up right away, which makes them all the more hazardous for accident victims. Victims of crashes are at heightened risk of developing serious complications, including strokes and aneurysms.

These conditions may emerge in the hours, days, or weeks following a collision. When neurological issues suddenly show up, long past the point when a victim thought they were safe, they may not even realize it’s related to their accident.

This is why it’s so important to seek medical attention immediately after a crash and fight for fair compensation. We can help—call Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers to set up a consultation with our team now.

How car accidents trigger strokes and aneurysms

Car accidents put the body through an extraordinary amount of stress. Even in a low-speed collision, the body braces for impact and endures significant pressure. You may be lucky enough to walk away without visible injuries, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re safe. The internal impact of an accident can leave you at greater risk of a stroke or aneurysm.

Different ways a crash may lead to a stroke or aneurysm

Strokes typically happen when blood clots block blood flow to the brain. In a car accident, you may suffer whiplash, violent shaking, or blunt trauma to your head and neck. This force can tear the lining of the carotid or vertebral arteries, resulting in blood pooling inside the vessel wall. This creates clots that can break free and travel to the brain, causing a stroke.

Aneurysms are bulges in weakened arteries that may burst if not identified and treated, resulting in hemorrhagic stroke. Blood vessel walls may be weakened by the impact of a crash, causing them to bulge.

Symptoms to watch for after a collision

Perhaps the scariest part of these conditions is that you may feel fine immediately after an accident. These diagnoses can develop well after the initial impact of a crash, leading victims to falsely believe that they are in the clear. It is crucial that car accident victims and their loved ones be aware of the signs of aneurysms and strokes so they can take immediate action if necessary. Stroke symptoms to watch out for include:

• Weakness or numbness, especially on one side of the face
• Drooping on one side of the face (can be checked by asking the person to smile and seeing if the smile is one-sided)
• Slurred or labored speech
• Vision changes
• Loss of coordination
• Sudden confusion

Aneurysm symptoms include:

• Sudden, severe headaches—often described by victims as the worst headache they have ever experienced
• Nausea and vomiting
• Neck stiffness
• Blurry or double vision
• Seizures
• Sensitivity to light
• Loss of consciousness

If these symptoms appear, you do not want to wait and see if they resolve on their own. Both strokes and aneurysms can be fatal if untreated, and even with treatment, patients may not recover. For a victim to have any shot at recovery, they must receive immediate care.

Medical issues and long-term consequences

The aftermath of a post-accident aneurysm or stroke can change victims’ and family members’ lives forever. Emergency treatment may involve medications that break up blood clots, surgical repair of blood vessels, and procedures to address aneurysms, depending on the condition. Ischemic strokes may be treated with IV thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy; hemorrhagic strokes/ruptured aneurysms require blood‑pressure control and neurosurgical or endovascular repair—not clot‑busting drugs. Even in the best-case scenario—when a patient’s condition is immediately identified and treated—they may be left with lasting complications.

Potential long-term outcomes vary, based on the severity of the injury, how quickly it was detected, and how well the treatments worked. Outcomes may include:

• Paralysis and muscle weakness
• Speech and communication difficulties
• Cognitive impairments
• Chronic headaches
• Neurological pain
• Reduced independence 

These health conditions generally require extensive ongoing care. Beyond typical medical treatments, patients often see the best results with physical, occupational, and speech therapy—all of which require time, effort, and money. Those who suffer permanent disability due to a stroke or aneurysm may either need to move to an assisted living facility or get around-the-clock care at home.

Additionally, you can’t forget the emotional fallout of this type of injury. An individual who lives independently, provides for their family, and pursues their hobbies may become depressed and withdrawn when suddenly forced to rely heavily on loved ones for daily tasks.

Legal considerations in Illinois

Securing fair compensation after a post-accident stroke or aneurysm can be incredibly challenging, which is why it’s important to talk to a catastrophic personal injury lawyer after a collision that leaves you permanently injured. Insurance companies may claim that the accident and the stroke or aneurysm are entirely unrelated, and that the timing of the stroke or aneurysm is entirely coincidental. Even if they do accept the connection between the accident and the stroke or aneurysm, they won’t be in any rush to pay what you’re asking for. They may nickel-and-dime every part of your settlement, questioning everything from the need for around-the-clock care to the value of speech therapy for someone who has suddenly and traumatically lost their voice.

Working with a car accident attorney in Illinois is crucial. Your attorney can use medical expert testimony to link your condition to your accident and explain the long-term medical needs you’ll likely have. They may also bring in psychiatric experts to explain the mental and emotional damage of a collision or economic experts to calculate the value of your lost income. Hiring an attorney is a crucial part of seeking compensation for negligence.

Reach out to Gainsberg Law today

If you or someone you love has suffered a stroke or aneurysm after a car accident, you could be owed significant compensation. Let’s discuss your injuries and next steps during a consultation. Reach out online or call us to set up a consultation now.