Headaches that occur post trauma following a car accident are very common. In this article, we explain what these headaches could mean and what you can do if they do not go away.
We often see headaches after car accidents for clients who suffered an impact to their head in the crash. There is no doubt that these headaches are incredibly painful injuries. Headaches can make it hard to live your day to day life.
As an auto accident lawyer, I focus my practice on helping many people with brain injuries recover. But, unfortunately, they often don’t get better. Headaches after car accidentally often continue in many of the auto accident victims I represent.
Victims suffering from headaches often wonder why the headaches are simply not going away as they are still present long after physical injuries have healed.
Headaches can be life-changing
People often underestimate the debilitating impact headaches can have on your life, but they can be incredibly painful and life-changing.
The term that is used in the medical field to describe headaches caused by car accidents is “post-traumatic headaches.” This means that they were caused by a traumatic event, such as a car crash. The onset of these headaches can begin directly following the crash or can begin hours or even days after the collision. The brain undergoes a number of chemical changes following trauma from a crash. So, symptoms can take a little bit of time to set in.
Another important point is that the severity, or pain level, of headaches is not always related to the severity of the crash. Painful headaches can be caused by relatively low-impact/low-speed accidents. The position of the head at the time of the impact is a key determining factor. Gender, age, and any past medical history of brain injury in the victim (concussions, etc.) can also play a role.
The frequency of post-traumatic headaches can also be wide-ranging. A car accident victim may experience headaches occasionally, or they can be constant. However, if headaches are occurring 15 or more days each month, then they are considered “chronic.” If they occur less than 15 times per month they are deemed to be “episodic.”
How does a car accident cause headaches?
Headaches after a car accident are most often the result of trauma. This usually comes in the form of a blow to the head, or a severe shaking of the head due to the impact.
Post-traumatic headaches are also common in rear-end collisions. Rear-end collisions usually result in severe whiplash which can cause trauma to the brain.
You should never ignore a headache after an accident
We all have had headaches before. Maybe a long day at work, or too much (or not enough) caffeine in our morning coffee has caused a little headache. These types of headaches are often mild and may resolve quickly.
However, post traumatic headaches are usually the sign of something much more serious such as a concussion, head injury, or even a traumatic brain injury.
You should seek medical attention immediately if you are suffering from headaches after a car accident.
It is possible that you think your headaches are not serious and may go away. However, traumatic brain injuries are very serious and should be evaluated by medical professionals immediately following a motor vehicle crash.
The following are some factors to consider which may suggest you could have a serious head or brain injury:
- Do you have a dull or aching head pain?
- Are you feeling nauseous?
- Do you feel dizzy?
- Have you experienced mood swings? Changes in personality?
- Have you felt depressed or deflated?
- Did you hit your head in the car accident?
- Did you experience a loss of consciousness at the crash scene?
- Has your appetite decreased?
- Is your scalp, neck, or shoulder muscles tender to the touch?
- Are you feeling any sensation of pressure or tightness in your forehead or sides/back of your head?
Many lawyers and doctors only focus on injuries that are visible and physical. Because of this, headaches are often ignored after car accidents unless you specifically report them to your doctor.
Not to mention, it can often take a very long time to be referred to a neurologist who can properly evaluate the cause of the headaches. Be assertive to your medical providers if you believe there is any chance that you may have suffered a brain injury.
What are my rights?
It is important to note that every case, injury, and person is different. Factors change in each car accident case. However, what you will find is that many lawyers will not even take your case or file a lawsuit for pain and suffering headaches only.
The reason for this is that these damages can be harder to prove in court, but not impossible if you have the right legal team on your side. As I discussed earlier, headaches are often the sign of a traumatic brain injury, which is a very serious injury for which you are entitled to compensation.
Experienced Lawyers at Georgia Auto Law
The lawyers at Georgia Auto Law are highly experienced in dealing with traumatic brain injuries. After all, auto accident cases are all we do, so you can rest assured that a dedicated car accident attorney would be handling your case from start to finish.
Feel free to call one of our Georgia car accident attorneys at (404) 662-4949 if you would like to discuss your headaches and the legal options you may have. We know how difficult this can be, and you do not have to go at it alone. There is absolutely no charge to speak with us about your case, so please call us anytime.