Headaches are a common symptom of injuries sustained in car collisions. In some cases, they may be an indication of a more serious car crash injury, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI), whiplash, or other soft tissue injuries.
If you experience headaches after a car accident, it is important to immediately seek medical attention and follow your doctor’s advice for treatment. Once you have received medical treatment, consider consulting an experienced law firm. A car accident attorney will review the details of your case and help you understand your legal rights and options.
Your legal options may include filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or filing a personal injury claim to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses related to your injuries.
Common Injuries That May Cause Headaches After A Car Accident
Several severe car accident injuries may cause headaches, including:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI): This is a serious injury that can occur when the brain is jostled or slammed against the skull during an accident. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion.
- Whiplash: This is a soft tissue injury that occurs when the head and neck are violently jerked back and forth during an accident. Symptoms can include headaches, neck pain, and stiffness.
- Concussion: This is a type of TBI that occurs when the brain is jostled inside the skull. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, and confusion.
- Stress and anxiety: Car accidents can be traumatic events that cause stress and anxiety, which can trigger tension headaches.
What Can Cause Headaches After a Car Accident?
A headache after a car accident popularly known as post-traumatic headache may also be caused by the excessive trauma of facing a motor-vehicle collision. In some cases, headaches may appear immediately after a crash but a delayed onset is also a common scenario.
Some fundamental reasons that may follow a car accident are direct trauma such as a whiplash or a severe impact that may involve a neck or head. Some victims of accidents may also struggle with migraines, chronic headaches, or even slight head pain before the crash happens.
In such a scenario, their pain may get worse or increase in frequency. The reasons may be different but it is advisable that all instances of head pain must be treated immediately.
Types Of Headaches After a Car Accident
Headaches can be extremely painful and can result in complications if not medically evaluated at the right time. Some common types of headaches after a car accident may include the following:
- Concussion headaches: The symptoms of concussions may follow after a brain injury. In the accident, there must be a direct hit to the head or the victim may experience a sudden jerk that will impact the skull walls of the inner brain thereby causing bruising and migraine. Some symptoms may comprise nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, and sensitivity to light and sound. In extreme cases, it may cause anxiety or sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.
- Fracture Headaches: A fracture in the neck or skull may cause intense headaches. Some symptoms may comprise back pain or pain in the neck, and head leading to nausea, seizures, confusion, or stiffness in the neck.
- Muscle Strain and Muscle Spasm Headaches: If in the accident, the victim has experienced injury to the soft tissues due to the impact it may lead to headache or upper neck pain. It can cause muscle pain or strain.
- Disc Herniation Headaches: If the accident force has led to compression or herniation of the discs in the neck it may lead to headache. In such cases, there may be burning pain or tingling sensation in the neck or arms.
- Pinched Nerve Headaches: If there is a violent jolt in a car accident, it may lead to compression of nerve roots or disc herniation. The symptoms may include numbness, tingling sensation, or tenderness in the back of the head.
- Whiplash Headaches: One of the most common types of headaches after a car accident is a whiplash headache caused by rapid force in the neck or head. It may surface days or months after the accident.
How Long Should a Headache Last After a Car Accident?
The time you experience headaches after car collisions may vary depending on the type of headache. In some cases, post-traumatic headaches may get normal in a few weeks. However, in other cases, it may take a few weeks or even longer to improve.
According to research, if someone is struggling with post-concussive syndrome, their symptoms may even persist for almost 14 days whereas it may also last for 3 months or longer in severe accident cases.
What To Do If You Have a Headache After a Car Accident?
If you have experienced a car accident and an onset of headache, it could be an indication of injury because of a collision. Therefore, in such cases, it is crucial to seek documentation or medical evaluation that will help to pursue compensation for accident-related losses. Some steps you can take if you have a headache after a car accident:
- Call 911: If anyone involved in the accident is injured, call 911 immediately.
- Seek medical attention: Contact emergency services or visit a hospital or urgent care center to have your injuries evaluated by a medical professional.
- Describe your symptoms: Be sure to tell the medical provider about your headache and any other symptoms you are experiencing, such as dizziness or confusion.
- Follow your doctor’s advice: Your doctor may recommend rest, medication, or other treatment options depending on the severity of your injury.
- Document your injuries: Keep track of your medical records, bills, and any other essential information related to your injury by maintaining a journal. This information will be important if you pursue a personal injury claim.
- Consult with an attorney: If you have been injured in a car accident and are experiencing headaches or other symptoms, it may be in your best interest to hire a personal injury attorney who can help you understand your legal options for pursuing compensation for your injuries and damages.
- Prepare an Insurance Claim or Personal Injury Lawsuit: Most car accident claims may be settled outside of court. An attorney may help to get you a fair settlement. It may include damages caused after an accident that includes economic and non-economic damages. In case they are offering a lower settlement, you may deny the claim and try to pursue a personal injury lawsuit.
Suffering From Headaches After a Car Accident? Call An Attorney
If you are struggling with a headache after a car accident and you still have questions about your legal rights contact one of the experienced car accident lawyers. They will help to focus on pursuing compensation after suffering from motor-vehicle accidents and represent you in court.