Concussion Raises Risk of Future Car Crash
Dec 11, 2025•8 min
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Episode description
- Having even one concussion raises your long-term crash risk by 49%, which means you would be wise to give yourself more recovery time before driving to protect both your safety and your independence
- The first month after a concussion is the most dangerous, with risk jumping more than sixfold, so adjusting your driving habits during this period helps lower your chance of a serious accident
- Each additional concussion sharply increases your risk, with two concussions more than doubling it and three or more causing a 124% increase, making symptom monitoring and long-term brain care important for anyone with repeated injuries
- Younger age, late-night driving, poor weather, rural roads, alcohol misuse, and lower income all magnify post-concussion crash risk. Being mindful of these factors can help you stay safer on the road
- Concussion-related crashes have led to tens of thousands of extra hospital days and more than $800 million in medical and societal costs, showing why protecting your brain health now helps safeguard your future well-being, finances, and mobility
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