Headache After A Car Accident?
Car accidents result in millions of visits to emergency rooms and billions of dollars in costs annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While individuals may walk away from a car accident feeling fine, they could potentially suffer from a serious injury without immediately knowing it.
Declining medical assistance at the crash scene or in the days after an accident can be a grave mistake. Even minor symptoms such as headaches and niggling aches can potentially point to serious injuries, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to the Mayo Clinic. Accident victims should take a headache after a car accident seriously and try to find out the root cause of the pain as soon as they can. The brain injury attorneys at Tyroler Injury Law can help you fight for what you deserve even in complicated car accident claims involving delayed-onset injuries. Contact us today to find out if you have the legal right to pursue compensation at (651) 259-1113.
Persistent Post-Accident Headaches Need Investigation
If you are suffering from a persistent headache after a car accident, you should seek medical advice and a complete medical evaluation as soon as possible. Not all headaches are harmless and some head, brain, and neck injuries that occur as a result of car accidents can cause headaches. Headaches can potentially be linked to the following injuries:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
According to the Mayo Clinic, TBIs are a common injury in car accidents. Symptoms of TBIs can include headaches, confusion, dizziness, nausea, and more. A mild TBI typically only affects a victim’s brain cells temporarily and may resolve on its own. However, a severe TBI can cause significant damage to the brain and can lead to potentially permanent complications such as cognitive problems, seizures, memory loss, bleeding in the brain, and death.
Herniated Discs
Herniated discs could potentially cause few, if any, symptoms but may cause chronic headaches following a car accident. Sometimes, a herniated disc resolves on its own. However, some herniated discs cause severe pain and disruption and eventually will require surgery. At the very least, a herniated disc will need an evaluation by a medical professional as accident victims could potentially lose sensation and suffer from weakness in affected areas.
Whiplash
According to the Mayo Clinic, whiplash is a neck injury that typically occurs in rear-end accidents. Mild whiplash may be no more than an irritation and can clear up on its own with rest. However, severe whiplash can end up being a potentially debilitating and chronic condition for some accident victims, disrupting their home and work lives significantly. Symptoms of whiplash other than a persistent headache can include:
- Neck stiffness
- Loss of range of motion in neck and shoulders
- Numbness and tingling in arms
- Neck pain
- Dizziness
Do not attempt to determine whether or not your whiplash is mild or severe on your own. Consider visiting with a medical professional if you have any of these symptoms in order to receive a proper evaluation and treatment.
Emotional Distress
Serious car accidents can be very upsetting and overwhelming. They can also potentially lead to significant emotional anguish and stress. Stress and anxiety after an accident can potentially cause tension headaches and trigger migraines. Victims who develop post-traumatic stress disorder can also suffer from debilitating headaches.
Always Seek Medical Evaluation
It is always better to be safe than sorry after a car accident. Receiving a comprehensive check-up and evaluation by a physician or medical professiona after your accident can give you peace of mind and reassurance that your headache is really just a headache and not the sign of something much more troublesome.
However, if you do have serious injuries or your headache is an indication of a more serious medical problem, a doctor’s visit can give you the medical report and evidence you need for holding an at-fault driver responsible for your injuries and losses. Contact an experienced attorney at Tyroler Injury Law to help you understand the evidence you need from your medical professional in order to receive the compensation you deserve to cover your medical bills and expenses resulting from someone else’s negligence.
Other Delayed Accident Symptoms and Injuries
While persistent headaches after a car accident can point to a more serious undetected injury, there can be additional symptoms that accident victims might be tempted to ignore, including but not limited to:
Back Pain
You should always investigate any back pain that arises after a car accident as this could potentially point to a spinal injury or a musculoskeletal injury that may need treatment.
Numbness and Weakness
Experiencing any numbness, tingling, and weakness is almost always a sign that something is medically wrong and could indicate possible herniated discs, spinal cord injuries, and other conditions.
Abdominal Pain and Discomfort
Abdominal pain after an accident should be investigated promptly as it could point to an internal organ injury or internal bleeding, which can require emergency medical intervention.
In general, if you are suffering from any unexplained pains and aches after a car accident, it is time to visit your doctor or medical professional in order to rule out any serious injuries or receive treatment for any severe medical issues.
Types of Compensation
If a reckless or negligent driver is responsible for your injuries, you may have the legal right to be “made whole again”. This means that the at-fault driver and their insurance company may have the legal responsibility to pay for your expenses related to your injuries and damages. The compensation you could potentially receive depends on the facts and circumstances of your case, but can include a range of economic as well as non-economic damages such as:
- Medical costs connected to the accident
- Loss of wages and future loss of income
- Costs for medical devices
- Costs of a home health aide
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Awards for pain and suffering
- Awards for emotional distress
- Awards for loss of life enjoyment
However, no two accident claims are the same and compensation will depend on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of your crash. A car accident attorney at Tyroler Injury Law can help to assess your damages accurately and fight for a fair settlement.
How Tyroler Injury Law Can Help You After a Car Accident
If you suffer headaches after a car accident, you are not alone. Before anything else, ensure that your health is your first priority by visiting a medical professional for a complete evaluation after your car accident. Then, make sure that you receive the answers to your legal questions and ensure your legal rights remain protected by contacting our experienced car accident attorneys at Tyroler Injury Law now for your free consultation at (651) 259-1113.