I’ve Been Suffering Headaches after a Car Accident. What Can I Do?
Posted in Car Accidents on January 3, 2022
After a car accident, many people complain of a headache that lingers for days. These headaches can be painful and debilitating, impacting your daily activities. In some cases, a headache could be a symptom of a very dangerous, potentially life-threatening brain injury. If you experience a headache after a car accident, it is imperative to see a doctor as soon as possible—and to contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Potential Causes of Headaches After a Car Accident
A constant headache after a car accident is a very common occurrence. These collisions generate significant amounts of force. As a result, you can suffer serious trauma to the head or neck, usually caused by a violent jolt, shaking, or a blow to the head by debris or a foreign object.
Common causes of headaches after a car accident include the following.
- Concussion: A concussion is a common brain injury that occurs when you sustain a blow to the head or violent shaking. Symptoms of this condition include dizziness, confusion, fatigue, and headache.
- Whiplash: Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that primarily affects the muscles, ligaments, bones, and nerves in the neck and upper back. This injury occurs when your head whips back and forth rapidly during a collision, damaging your soft tissues. Symptoms of whiplash include headaches, neck pain, loss of motion, and dizziness.
- Bruising on the Brain: When your brain hits the sides of your skull during a car accident, severe bruising can occur. Blood vessels can rupture inside of the brain, leading to potentially life-threatening pressure buildup. Without prompt medical attention, a brain bruise can be fatal.
- Skull Fractures: Another common cause of headaches after a car accident is skull fracture. During the collision, you could crack your skull, leading to severe symptoms like nausea, slurred speech, and confusion. Additional complications may also arise after a skull fracture, such as swelling and permanent brain damage.
Speak to a Doctor As Soon As Possible
If you develop a headache after a car accident, it is critical to receive medical attention as soon as you possibly can. A traumatic collision can cause serious damage to the brain, leading to bleeding, bruising, swelling, and loss of oxygen flow. Without prompt medical attention, a brain injury could be fatal—even if you do not notice any symptoms immediately after the collision.
In these situations, it is important to visit a doctor as soon as you can. Your doctor can examine your head and identify the underlying cause of your headache. Then, you can receive the treatment that you need to recover from your injury and prevent life-threatening complications from developing.
What to Do After a Missouri Car Accident
Headaches can be a symptom of something much more serious, especially after a car accident. Brain injuries can be painful, debilitating, and difficult to recover from. If someone else is responsible for your accident, you could hold him or her accountable for your injuries by filing an insurance claim or lawsuit.
After a car accident, it is important to take steps to protect yourself and your future claim. Call 911 to report the accident to law enforcement and seek emergency medical care. After you receive treatment, contact a Kansas City car accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case and plan your next steps.