Last updated · General information, not legal advice
Understanding concussion
Concussion (mild traumatic brain injury) is a common outcome of a car accident, and unlike whiplash, it's not defined as a soft tissue injury to muscles, tendons or ligaments — so it's generally not treated as a threshold injury under the CTP scheme. That matters because it generally keeps common law damages on the table, provided you weren't mostly at fault. Concussion symptoms can also be harder to "see" than a physical injury, which makes clear, consistent medical documentation especially important.
Common symptoms
Symptoms can take hours or days to appear after a crash. Getting them assessed and documented early matters for your recovery — and for your claim.
- Headache
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Fatigue and sleep disturbance
- Mood changes, including irritability or low mood
Free claim check
Not sure where this leaves your claim?
How we help
A free claim check can explain how concussion is generally treated under the scheme and what medical evidence — including neuropsychological or specialist assessment where symptoms persist — supports a claim. Concussion and post-concussion symptoms are a common area where an independent specialist lawyer helps, particularly if symptoms are ongoing or affecting your ability to work.
Getting the right treatment
Concussion needs a doctor's assessment early, and ongoing review as symptoms evolve — your GP or a specialist can complete the Certificate of Fitness the scheme relies on to track your capacity. Where symptoms persist, a neuropsychologist can formally assess cognitive effects, and physiotherapy (including vestibular therapy) can help with balance and dizziness. See doctors and allied health for CTP claims for help finding the right providers.
Doctors & allied health for CTP claims
Doctors & allied health
Need a doctor who understands CTP claims?
Your claim runs on medical evidence, so the doctor you see matters. If treatment is what you need, we can refer you to a doctor or allied health provider experienced with CTP claims.
- A doctor experienced with CTP claims — for diagnosis, a treatment plan and your Certificate of Fitness, which records your injuries and your capacity for work.
- Allied health such as physiotherapy, psychology and exercise physiology, for the treatment your injuries need.
- Free, with no obligation. We'll tell you if a provider we refer you to is connected with us, and you can always choose your own.
The CTP insurer generally pays for treatment that is reasonable and necessary for your accident injuries. It decides what's approved, and its decisions can be reviewed.
What matters for your claim
- 1Get assessed promptly, even if you didn't lose consciousness — concussion doesn't require a knockout
- 2Keep a symptom diary, since cognitive and mood symptoms can be harder to track than physical pain
- 3Ask about specialist referral (neurologist or neuropsychologist) if symptoms persist beyond a few weeks
- 4Document any impact on your ability to work or study, since this supports both statutory benefits and any damages claim
- 5A whole person impairment assessment may be relevant if symptoms are ongoing
Getting the right evidence
Get assessed as soon as possible after any head impact, even if symptoms seem mild — some effects of concussion take time to show and can worsen without early management. Seek urgent medical care for worsening headache, repeated vomiting, confusion or loss of consciousness.
This is general information, not medical or legal advice. If symptoms are severe or worsening, seek medical care straight away — call 000 in an emergency.
