Prior Concussions Significantly Increase the Risk of Long-Term Disability after a Motor Vehicle Crash
A Canadian Study published on-line in January 2026 by the Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA Network Open, finds that a history of prior concussion is associated with a 15% increase in the risk of long-term disability following a motor vehicle crash.
The study examined more than 900,000 adult car crash patients, including approximately 20,000 with a history of prior concussion.
These two groups shared a diverse range of demographic characteristics, medical diagnoses, and socioeconomic status. The study found that patients with a history of concussion were significantly more likely (15%) to suffer from long-term disability after a motor vehicle crash (defined as qualifying for long-term disability benefits according to social service records.) The increased risk extended across a spectrum of crash severity and existed regardless of how far back the prior concussion occurred.
The authors undertook the study to test the hypothesis that prior concussion may “lead to neurocognitive complications and residual impairments that limit a patient’s health” and therefore ‘lessen recovery after a later injury.” Although the methodology of the study does not permit clear conclusions concerning causation, it does support this hypothesis.
Based on their findings, the authors urge measures to reduce the risk of concussion, and counseling patients with a history of concussion to take extra measures to avoid re-injury.