Headaches after a car accident may be accompanied by other symptoms such as visual disturbance, vertigo, nausea, and dizziness.
Car accidents can cause injuries, property damage, stress, and interrupt life. Some car accidents can leave you with a severe headache that refuses to go away. When you develop a headache after a car accident, you should try to find out the exact cause. Here are some things that might be responsible for your headache.
Seeking Medical Attention
If you’ve experienced a headache after an accident, seeking medical attention can offer two crucial benefits. Firstly, a doctor can properly diagnose your injury and provide necessary treatment, preventing long-term disability from traumatic brain injury or whiplash. Secondly, seeking medical help protects your legal rights to seek compensation for your injuries and losses. By attributing the cause of your headaches to the accident, you can avoid denial of your claim by the insurance company. Act promptly to secure your health and legal interests by seeking medical help for a headache after an accident.
Muscle Strain Headache
If you’re experiencing severe pain at the base of your skull, it could be a sign of a muscle strain headache. This type of headache is often caused by muscle strain injuries, such as whiplash, which can result in pain in the neck and shoulders, ultimately leading to strain and discomfort in the head as well.
Post Traumatic Headache
Car accidents can cause significant trauma to various parts of the body, including the head, neck, and shoulders, which can trigger post-traumatic headaches. Typically, individuals may not experience such headaches immediately following the crash, but they may develop after a week or more. If you experience any pain or stiffness in these areas, it could be an indication of the underlying cause. It is imperative to seek medical attention if you experience a headache a few days after a car accident and inform your doctor about your recent car accident.
Pinched Nerve Headache
Car accidents can cause a pinched nerve in the spine, resulting in compression of nerves in the spinal cord disc during the crash. The nerves near the shoulders, hips, or neck are particularly susceptible to this injury. Individuals with pre-existing spine or nerve conditions are at a higher risk of developing a pinched nerve headache. Some common symptoms of this type of headache include tingling sensations, muscle and limb weakness, and burning pain. The severity of symptoms increases proportionally with the degree of nerve compression; therefore, the more severe the pinched nerve, the more intense the symptoms.
A Concussion Headache
Car accidents can result in concussions, which can subsequently cause headaches. A car accident concussion happens when the brain collides with the skull due to the impact of the collision, resulting in a traumatic brain injury that can be serious. The symptoms of a concussion may not be immediately apparent as other injuries often mask them. Some common concussion symptoms include dizziness, confusion, nausea, drowsiness, ringing in the ears, and vertigo. It can also cause memory loss, slurred speech, and even unconsciousness. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
A Migraine
In addition to the injuries mentioned above, car accidents can trigger migraine headaches in individuals who have never experienced them. Those suffering from migraines may not immediately associate their headache with the car accident injury. Hence, it is vital to have any headache that develops after a car accident examined by a doctor. Symptoms of a migraine headache may include sensitivity to sound and light, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and nausea and vomiting.
Keeping a Journal
Car accident victims should maintain a meticulous record of their day-to-day activities, detailing any changes in their ability to perform everyday tasks since the accident. Such records can prove invaluable in court, particularly when a claim for pain and suffering is being contested. Likewise, victims should keep a detailed record of their headaches, noting the date and time, duration, severity, and any factors that alleviate or exacerbate the pain. This information can aid doctors in accurately diagnosing symptoms and prescribing effective treatments.
In addition to helping medical professionals, keeping a record of headaches can play a crucial role in establishing the extent of pain and suffering endured by the victim and how it has affected their daily life. Compensation for pain and suffering is typically awarded based on the accident’s impact on the victim’s pre-accident lifestyle. Victims can present compelling evidence during settlement negotiations and court proceedings by maintaining detailed records of their headaches and the activities they cannot perform due to them.
Why You Should Never Ignore a Headache After a Car Accident
Headaches are one of the most common symptoms of a wide range of conditions and injuries. They are considered to be a very general symptom that should be considered in a wider context to diagnose it properly. In other words, consider them one of your body’s alarm systems. If you notice recurring, more frequent headaches after an event like a car crash, you should investigate it.
Possible Causes of Headaches After a Car Accident
Whiplash
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury caused by the rapid, jerking movement of your head at the moment of the impact. It usually worsens with time and can be noticed with a delay, which complicates a car accident injury claim.
TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)
The seriousness of a potential traumatic brain injury should not be overlooked following a car accident, as a concussion, contusion, or other forms of brain damage may be the underlying cause of any headaches that arise. It is essential to seek medical attention to properly evaluate and treat any potential injuries.
Side-Effects of Medication
If you experience headaches due to a medication misprescription or administration, it can be a sign of a more serious physical or psychological issue. Make sure to obtain a medical report to document the pain you feel, as this can be an indicator of other underlying conditions. Though it can be difficult to measure your headache objectively, it should still be considered when making a claim for the damages you have sustained. It may also be used as evidence to prove the presence of a more complex injury or trauma, such as emotional stress arising from the accident.
Car Accident Injury Claim
The value of an injury claim based on headaches resulting from a car accident depends on various factors.
- Pain and suffering caused by headaches and other bodily injuries sustained in the accident.
- Expenditure on medical treatment of headaches and the underlying cause, such as traumatic brain injury or whiplash.
- Loss of wages for the days that you are not able to go to work due to severe headaches.
- Change in lifestyle or loss of enjoyment, for example, if you had to give up certain hobbies and activities due to headaches.
How a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you or a loved one are experiencing headaches after a car accident, it’s essential to seek legal help to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. A St. Louis car accident lawyer at The Hoffmann Law Firm can help in the following ways:
- Handling Insurance Claims: A car accident lawyer can help you navigate the complex process of filing an insurance claim. They can ensure that all necessary documentation is submitted on time and that you receive fair compensation for headache-related damages.
- Investigating the Accident: An experienced car accident lawyer will thoroughly investigate the accident to help you determine the root cause of your headaches.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies may try to settle your case quickly, offering you less than what you deserve. A car accident lawyer can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation for your headache-related damages.
Types of compensation that may be available for headache-related damages include:
- Medical Expenses: If you’ve been experiencing headaches after a car accident, you may require ongoing medical treatment. A car accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for medical bills, including doctor visits, diagnostic tests, and prescription medication.
- Lost Wages: If you’ve had to take time off work due to your headaches, a car accident lawyer can help you recover lost wages. This can include compensation for past and future lost income.
- Pain and Suffering: Headaches can be excruciating and disruptive to your daily life. A car accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for the pain and suffering you’ve experienced due to your headaches.
Ultimately, a car accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and ensure you receive fair compensation for your headache-related damages. If you’ve been experiencing headaches after a car accident, seeking legal help as soon as possible is important to protect your rights and interests.
Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer
Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!