Headaches After a Car Accident

Headaches After a Car Accident

When dealing with the stress of our everyday lives, it’s not uncommon for individuals to experience a variety of physical discomforts. We usually brush off headaches as transient inconveniences, and we tend to reach for painkillers to ease the discomfort. In our busy lives, we’re inclined to carry on and hope that these symptoms will subside on their own. However, when it comes to headaches following a car accident, we advise a more cautious approach.

Headaches after a car accident could signify more than just a minor inconvenience. These headaches might indicate a more serious underlying injury, including potential brain damage. At TK Injury Lawyers, our personal injury attorneys recognize the significance of post-accident headaches. We advise victims not to dismiss these headaches but to take immediate steps to address and avoid potential long-term consequences.

Are Headaches Common After A Car Accident?

Headaches are indeed a common occurrence following a car accident. The human body often responds to trauma with a variety of physical symptoms, and headaches are one of the frequently reported issues. These post-accident headaches can vary in intensity and duration, but they should not be dismissed as insignificant.

In the event of car crashes, the force and impact associated with a car accident can cause abrupt movements of the head and neck. These leads may result in tension headaches, which typically begin at the base of the skull and radiate to the temples.

If you’ve been in a car accident and are experiencing headaches, seek professional guidance. An injury lawyer will ensure you take proper steps to help address potential legal issues. Although this time may be characterized by emotional stress, you don’t want to jeopardize your ability to seek claims for injuries, especially if the accident occurred due to another party’s negligence.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Headaches After a Car Accident

Post-motor vehicle accident headaches are not merely an inconvenience, but they could indicate potentially underlying conditions like traumatic brain injury (TBI). Delays in recognizing and addressing such injuries can lead to more severe long-term consequences.

A recent study found that victims of accidents who suffer cheekbone fractures are more likely to experience post-traumatic headaches three months following their injury. However, internal injuries may not present obvious symptoms right away. Headaches can be an early sign of these hidden injuries. Seek prompt medical evaluation to help detect such issues and prevent them from worsening.

Importantly, victims need to understand that headaches after a car accident could have adverse legal implications. If you plan to seek compensation for your car accident, having a medical record of your headaches and related injuries is vital. It strengthens your case by providing evidence of your injuries and that you actually needed medical attention.

Types of Headaches After a Car Accident

After a car accident, there can be different types of headaches caused by various reasons. Here are some of the most common headaches following a car crash:

• Fracture headaches. These headaches can happen if there’s a partial or entire break in the skull bones. The pain can be severe and constantly ongoing. Mostly, victims bleed from the ears, nose, or eyes, and it’s therefore easy to know instantly if your skull or neck has fractured.

• Whiplash headache. When the head is suddenly jerked forward and backward, it can strain the neck and lead to this type of headache. Common symptoms are neck pain and stiffness, fatigue, and pain, especially at the base of the skull. Whiplash often becomes chronic neck injuries if left untreated.

• Muscle strain and spasm headaches. If the muscles in your neck or head get strained or go into spasms due to the accident, it can result in these headaches. Muscle tears and soft tissue damage are mostly behind these headaches. Victims experience pain performing with movements and swellings.

• Post-concussion syndrome headache. After a head injury, you might experience a closed brain injury, known as a concussion. Around 20% of accident victims show immediate symptoms of concussion, such as dizziness and head pains that go beyond 2-3 weeks.

• Post-traumatic headache. These headaches majorly occur a few hours or days after a traumatic event. While these are not severe injuries, post-traumatic headaches can cause prolonged pain that may lead to changes in sleep patterns.
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) headache. Car accidents are regarded as the leading cause of TBIs among young adults. Severe head injuries can lead to these headaches, often accompanied by tearing sensitive brain tissue and blood vessels. Victims usually experience blurry vision, difficulty with focus, double vision, and sometimes subdural hematoma.

The different headache types are associated with varying degrees of injury and pain. The nature and cause of the headache help medical professionals and car accident lawyers assess the extent of harm caused by the accident.

For example, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) headache may indicate more severe damage than a muscle strain headache. This knowledge assists in developing a proper medical treatment plan and establishing the basis for seeking damages.

How Long After a Car Accident Can Head Injuries Appear?

Head injuries following a car accident can sometimes take time to manifest. In some cases, however, symptoms can be immediate, such as loss of consciousness, confusion, bleeding, or visible head wounds. According to Mayo Clinic, headaches after an accident could mean the onset of TBI.

The delayed onset of head injury symptoms makes it crucial to seek medical attention promptly after a car accident, even if you initially feel fine. A healthcare professional will conduct an evaluation, which may involve imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs to detect underlying brain injuries.

What To Do if You Have a Headache After a Car Accident

If you experience a headache after a car accident, you should take prompt steps to ensure your well-being and your legal rights.

The first and most crucial step is to seek immediate medical care. Even if your post-accident headache seems mild initially, it could be a sign of a more severe underlying injury. This not only ensures your health but also offers a medical record of your injuries, which is key if you later decide to pursue legal action.

From a legal perspective, proper treatment is critical. The sooner and how properly you receive the prescribed treatment, the stronger your case becomes. However, if you don’t seek treatment immediately, the opposing side might bring the following arguments:

• The victim’s injuries were not as serious as claimed
• The injuries were pre-existing or unrelated to the accident
• The victim’s failure to seek timely medical care contributed to their injuries

In addition to seeking medical attention, it is in your best interest to reach out to a car accident attorney. An attorney will explain your legal rights, guide you through the compensation claim process, and assist you in seeking compensation for your injuries and related expenses.

How Can An Attorney Help?

After suffering injuries due to a vehicle accident, we recommend seeking legal assistance. While there may not be a law that explicitly disallows victims from representing themselves, the personal injury legal system is intricate and often challenging for a layman.

Here are the ways an attorney can be of help:

• Consultation: A car accident attorney can offer you valuable advice and guide you on your legal rights and options. They will help you understand the best course of action based on your specific circumstances.

• Preparing a personal injury lawsuit or an insurance claim: Your attorney will help you in preparing and filing an insurance claim. If necessary, they will also ensure that your personal injury lawsuit is properly filed. They will ensure that all the required documentation is filled out properly and on a timely basis.

• Building your case: Your lawyer will work to gather all the relevant evidence to support your case. This may include medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and any other pertinent information that strengthens your claim.

• Negotiations: A significant part of the attorney’s role is negotiating with insurance companies and opposing parties on your behalf. Attorneys have the resources to assess the value of a case accurately and fight for fair compensation on behalf of their clients. They will secure a fair settlement that covers your injuries and losses.
• Litigation: In cases where a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, your attorney will be prepared to take your case to court. They will represent your interests and argue your case before a judge and jury to seek the compensation you deserve.

Contact an Austin Car Accident Attorney Today

Headaches after a car accident are not to be understated. These pains could indicate more serious underlying issues that could overwhelm you later. At TK Injury Lawyers, we strongly advise car accident victims to take immediate steps to improve their chances of recovery. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, we will freely advise you on the various legal options available.

A dedicated attorney will walk with you to ensure that your rights and interests are protected throughout the process. Call us at (512) 982-9713 or fill out our online form for a free case evaluation.