If you’ve been in a car accident and suspect you have a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI), you’re not alone. Thousands of accident victims in Arkansas and across the country experience head injuries each year. The challenge? Proving that injury exists when traditional diagnostic methods like CT scans and MRIs often come back normal or inconclusive.
Recent medical breakthroughs are advancing TBI diagnosis. Blood tests that detect specific brain biomarkers now offer objective, measurable evidence of traumatic brain injury. This evidence can significantly strengthen your personal injury claim and help you secure the compensation you deserve.
This guide explains how blood tests prove TBI after car accidents, why this evidence matters for your case, and what steps you should take immediately following an accident to protect your legal rights.
Understanding Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries After Car Accidents
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or sudden movement that changes how the brain normally works. In car accidents, concussions occur when the force of impact causes your brain to move rapidly inside your skull, damaging brain cells and creating chemical changes.
The problem with concussions is that they’re often invisible. Unlike a broken bone or laceration, a concussion doesn’t always show up on imaging tests. Many accident victims experience mild to moderate TBI without any visible external injuries. Yet the damage to the brain is real and can have serious consequences.
Common symptoms of concussion after a car accident include:
- Headaches and migraines
- Dizziness and balance problems
- Memory difficulties and confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Nausea and fatigue
- Mood changes and irritability
The challenge for accident victims is that symptoms can appear immediately or develop over hours or even days. Insurance companies often question whether these symptoms are truly from the accident or from other causes. Without objective medical evidence, proving your injury becomes difficult. Your personal injury claim may be undervalued or denied. Blood biomarker testing addresses this challenge.
What Are Brain Biomarkers and How Do They Work?
Brain biomarkers are specific proteins released into the bloodstream when brain cells are damaged. Think of them as biological markers—measurable indicators that brain injury has occurred. When trauma damages neurons (brain cells), these proteins leak out of the damaged cells and enter the bloodstream, where a blood test can detect them.
Several biomarkers indicate traumatic brain injury:
- Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) is one of the most effective biomarkers for detecting TBI. This protein is found inside nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. When these nerve fibers are damaged, NfL is released into the bloodstream. Research shows that NfL levels correlate with the severity of brain injury and can predict long-term outcomes.
- Tau and Phosphorylated Tau are proteins that help stabilize the structure of brain cells. When brain cells are damaged, these proteins are released into the blood. Elevated tau levels indicate neuronal damage and have been shown to predict which patients are at risk for severe disability or death following traumatic brain injury.
- Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) is another biomarker that indicates damage to glial cells—support cells in the brain. When these cells are damaged, GFAP enters the bloodstream.
The key advantage of biomarker testing is timing. These proteins appear in the bloodstream within hours of brain injury. Often, they appear before symptoms fully develop. This means a blood test can detect brain injury even when the person feels relatively fine or when traditional imaging shows no abnormalities.
Research from the National Institutes of Health and UC San Francisco demonstrates that blood biomarkers can detect traumatic brain injury with remarkable accuracy. They often outperform CT scans and MRIs, especially for mild TBI cases.
FDA-Approved Blood Tests for TBI Detection
On March 27, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared Abbott’s i-STAT Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) whole blood test. This is the first FDA-cleared blood test specifically designed to help assess patients with suspected mild traumatic brain injury.
How the i-STAT TBI Test Works
The i-STAT TBI test measures two specific biomarkers in a patient’s blood: ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The test uses a portable instrument and provides results in approximately 15 minutes.
A healthcare provider draws a small blood sample and inserts it into the portable i-STAT device. Results appear within minutes. The test helps determine whether a patient needs advanced imaging like a CT scan. It can also help identify whether the injury can be safely managed without radiation exposure.
Why This Test Matters for Car Accident Victims
The i-STAT TBI test offers several critical advantages for accident victims:
- Rapid Results: Results in 15 minutes instead of hours or days
- Objective Evidence: Measures specific proteins—not subjective symptoms
- Reduces Unnecessary Imaging: A negative result can rule out the need for CT scans
- Accessible: Healthcare providers can perform testing in emergency rooms and urgent care facilities
- Bedside Testing: Portable technology allows testing at the point of care
- Early Detection: Identifies mild TBI cases that traditional imaging might miss
For your personal injury claim, this test provides objective, measurable, FDA-approved evidence that brain injury occurred. Insurance companies cannot easily dispute this evidence.
How Blood Tests Strengthen Your Car Accident Injury Claim
Insurance companies are skeptical of invisible injuries. When you claim a concussion or TBI but imaging tests appear normal, adjusters often question whether the injury is real or exaggerated. This skepticism can result in lowball settlement offers or claim denials.
Blood biomarker evidence changes this dynamic.
Objective Evidence Insurance Companies Cannot Dispute
Blood test results showing elevated biomarkers provide objective, measurable proof of brain injury. Unlike subjective complaints about headaches or memory problems, biomarker levels are quantifiable data. Insurance companies cannot argue that you’re imagining your symptoms when a blood test shows specific proteins indicating neuronal damage.
Medical Documentation Creates a Timeline
When you undergo blood biomarker testing within 24 hours of your accident, you create documented medical evidence. This evidence links your injury directly to the accident. It shows that:
- You sought medical attention promptly
- Your injury was identified through objective testing
- The injury occurred as a direct result of the accident
Strengthens Settlement Negotiations
Accident victims with objective biomarker evidence typically receive higher settlement offers. Insurance adjusters know that biomarker evidence is difficult to challenge in court. Rather than risk a jury trial where clear medical evidence of brain injury appears, insurance companies often settle for higher amounts.
Supports Higher Damage Awards
In personal injury cases, damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Objective evidence of TBI supports claims for:
- Ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Cognitive therapy and neuropsychological testing
- Lost income during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity if the injury causes permanent cognitive impairment
- Pain and suffering damages
Overcomes Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance companies often use several tactics to minimize TBI claims:
- Claiming symptoms are psychological rather than physical
- Suggesting pre-existing conditions caused the symptoms
- Arguing that normal imaging means no injury occurred
- Questioning the credibility of symptom reports
Blood biomarker evidence directly counters these tactics. The test is objective, FDA-approved, and based on established neuroscience. Insurance companies struggle to argue against this evidence.
The Timeline: When to Get Blood Tests After a Car Accident
Timing is critical for blood biomarker testing. The window for optimal testing is narrow. Understanding this timeline can mean the difference between proving your injury and struggling to document it.
Seek Medical Evaluation Immediately
The most important step is seeking medical attention as soon as possible after your car accident. Ideally, seek care within the first few hours. Even if you feel relatively fine, head injuries can be deceptive. Symptoms may not appear immediately, and biomarker levels are highest in the first 24 hours after injury.
When you arrive at an emergency room or urgent care facility, inform medical staff that you were in a car accident and may have hit your head. Request biomarker blood testing specifically. Many emergency departments now offer this testing, especially in areas with access to the i-STAT TBI device.
The 24-Hour Window
Research shows that brain biomarkers peak in the bloodstream at different times after injury. UCH-L1 peaks within 6-8 hours, while GFAP peaks at approximately 20 hours. This creates a diagnostic window that extends through the first 24 hours after injury. Blood drawn within 24 hours of injury provides reliable biomarker levels, making detection easier and more conclusive.
After 24 hours, biomarker levels begin to decline. While testing can still detect injury beyond this window, the levels may be lower and less definitive. This is why immediate medical attention is so important.
Follow-Up Testing May Be Recommended
For moderate to severe traumatic brain injury cases, your physician may recommend follow-up testing. Some biomarkers remain elevated for days or weeks after injury. Serial testing (multiple tests over time) can help track recovery and guide treatment decisions.
Document Everything
Keep detailed records of:
- The date and time of your accident
- The date and time you sought medical attention
- All blood tests performed and results
- Medical provider names and contact information
- Symptom onset and progression
- Any imaging tests (CT scans, MRIs)
- All medical treatment and rehabilitation
This documentation creates a comprehensive medical record that supports your injury claim.
Action Steps for Accident Victims
- Seek medical evaluation within hours of the accident
- Request biomarker blood testing at the emergency room or urgent care
- Obtain copies of all test results and medical records
- Follow your physician’s recommendations for follow-up testing
- Document all symptoms and medical treatment
- Contact a personal injury attorney promptly to protect your legal rights
Why Choose Odom Law Firm for Your TBI Car Accident Claim
If you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident, you need an attorney who understands both the medical evidence and the legal strategies required to maximize your compensation.
Odom Law Firm has represented accident victims with catastrophic injuries—including traumatic brain injuries—for over 40 years. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys understands the medical complexities of TBI cases. We know how to present biomarker evidence effectively to insurance companies and, if necessary, to a jury.
Our Experience with Brain Injury Cases
Our firm maintains a dedicated Brain Injury practice area. We’ve handled numerous cases involving traumatic brain injuries from car accidents, semi-truck collisions, and other accidents. We understand:
- How to interpret biomarker test results
- The medical literature supporting TBI diagnosis
- How to work with neurologists and neuropsychologists
- How to present complex medical evidence clearly
- How insurance companies evaluate TBI claims
- Negotiation strategies that result in fair settlements
Track Record of Results
Odom Law Firm has secured significant settlements and verdicts in car accident cases. Our attorneys understand the value of personal injury claims and fight aggressively to help our clients receive full compensation for their injuries. View our case results to see examples of successful outcomes.
Focused Practice Area
Our firm focuses on personal injury law. This focus means our entire firm—every attorney, every staff member—is dedicated to helping injury victims. We’re not distracted by criminal defense, family law, or business litigation. Your case receives our full attention and knowledge.
Recognized by Peers
Our attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers and hold Martindale-Hubbell AV ratings. These recognitions reflect our commitment to legal excellence and ethical practice. Learn more about our experienced attorneys and their qualifications, including Matthew L. Lindsay and Alan L. Lane.
Local Presence, National Reach
Based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, we serve clients throughout Northwest Arkansas and beyond. Through our national co-counsel network, we handle cases across the country. Whether your accident occurred in Fayetteville, Little Rock, or anywhere in Arkansas, we have the resources and knowledge to represent you effectively.
Understanding Insurance Company Tactics
Our founding attorney’s background as an insurance adjuster gives us insight into how insurance companies evaluate claims and make settlement decisions. We understand their tactics and know how to counter them effectively.
When you choose Odom Law Firm, you’re choosing attorneys who understand the medical evidence, know how to present it persuasively, and have the knowledge to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact Us: Don’t Wait—Protect Your Rights After a Car Accident
Blood tests that detect brain biomarkers represent a significant advancement in proving traumatic brain injury after car accidents. This objective medical evidence can transform your personal injury claim from a “he said, she said” dispute into a case supported by FDA-approved science.
But this evidence only helps if you act quickly. The optimal window for biomarker testing is narrow—within 24 hours of your injury. Delaying medical attention can mean missing the opportunity to document your injury with the most compelling evidence available.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and suspect a concussion or traumatic brain injury, take these steps immediately:
- Seek medical attention within hours of the accident
- Request biomarker blood testing at the emergency room or urgent care
- Obtain copies of all test results and medical records
- Contact an experienced personal injury attorney to protect your legal rights
Odom Law Firm is ready to help. Our team of experienced attorneys understand TBI cases, know how to present biomarker evidence effectively, and have a proven track record of securing fair settlements for accident victims.
Don’t let an insurance company minimize your injury or offer you less than you deserve. Contact Odom Law Firm today for a free consultation. Call 479-442-7575 or visit our website to schedule your appointment with an Arkansas brain injury attorney. We serve clients throughout Fayetteville, Northwest Arkansas, and beyond.
Your recovery matters. Your claim matters. Let us fight for the compensation you deserve.