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Headaches are common following a car accident, but you should still seek medical attention as soon as your pain develops. Some injuries can have delayed symptoms, and a headache could signal a more severe injury.
See your doctor as soon as possible to undergo a thorough examination. If you wait too long, there is a risk of developing severe complications. The longer you wait, the more invasive procedures you may require, rather than simply being able to treat your headaches with medications, physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, etc. Seeking treatment quickly may prevent the headaches from becoming severe, shorten the duration of pain, and help link the headaches to the collision. If there is a delay or a gap between the accident and when you are treated for your headaches, the at-fault party’s insurer may argue that the headaches are not a result of the accident, which can limit your compensation.
After you’ve sought treatment, document your headaches as much as possible. Thorough medical documentation will be critical to your injury claim and the amount of compensation you are able to recover. In addition, keep a journal to write down symptoms, how the headaches affect your daily routine, any activities you cannot engage in, whether other people must help you. If you decide to file a lawsuit, the evidence you have on your injury will increase your chances of recovering compensation.
Consult a St. Louis car accident lawyer to discuss your legal options and determine the value of your case. They can also make sure you are getting the treatment you need, help you gather evidence to build a solid case, and deal with the insurance company on your behalf.
Headaches after a car accident are commonly due to the following:
Some post-crash headaches are clearly caused by a blow to the head during an accident. Your head may be hit by a flying object, be thrown into the steering wheel, window, or any other hard surface.
Whiplash is one of the leading injuries from a car accident caused by a violent jolt to the head neck. Pain in the neck and shoulders can take hours to become apparent, and headaches associated with the injury may take days or weeks to occur.
A headache is the most common symptom of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Car accidents are the second leading cause of TBIs, which occur due to a jolt or blow to the head that causes the brain to crash back and forth inside the skull.
Neck injuries, such as a pinched nerve, herniated or bulging disc in the spine can result in severe headaches.
The signs and symptoms to watch for include:
The endorphins and adrenaline rushing through the body after a car accident can mask injuries and pain for days. In some cases, you may feel your headache immediately, but others can take hours, days, or weeks.