Headaches that happen after a car wreck can be an indicator of serious injury to the neck, and/or spine. Though headaches after a car wreck are very common, they are not to be ignored completely.
Headaches After Car Wrecks
After a car wreck happens, the quick impact can lead to headaches. This is possible without a driver’s head sustaining a blow. Vehicles going fast speeds cause the people in the vehicle to turn or twist suddenly from impact. The abrupt body jerking usually leads to injuries to the head, neck, spine, and back. Headaches starting just after a wreck are extremely common with specific injuries.
Whiplash
Whiplash involves injury to the neck, occurring when the neck is excessively extended into a difficult position too quickly. Though whiplash injuries lead to neck sprains of the muscles and/or ligaments, there may be other underlying issues that deserve an expert opinion to further assess the severity of the injury (i.e., MRI, Nerve Studies, Neurologists, etc.).
Victims of whiplash injuries tend to get headaches within a week of having a car wreck. Most symptoms consist of a stiffened neck, tingling/numbness sensations, memory loss, and dizziness. Whiplash headaches tend to heal, but there can still be unrevealed serious injuries. Therefore, it is important for headache sufferers to seek medical attention after a car wreck, especially if the headaches are ongoing after a few weeks.
Concussion
An abrupt blow to the head usually causes concussions, which can lead to brain swelling. Concussion injuries can show little to no physical symptoms for several days or weeks following a car wreck. If symptoms are present, they often consist of headaches, vomiting and/or nausea, blurred vision, light sensitivity, dizziness, ear ringing, memory loss, and mental chaos.
Concussion injuries are extremely serious and call for appropriate medical attention and treatment to avoid severe complications. Those with headaches for more than six weeks can have post-concussion syndrome, a medical disorder stemming from severe head and brain injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Whenever a person’s head sustains a blow after a car wreck, the brain can suffer cell and tissue damage, causing other physical and mental disorders. A traumatic brain injury commonly has symptoms within many hours or days and symptoms include dizziness, headaches, imbalance, mood changes, sleep instability, and vision blurriness. We at the Bryant Law Firm are highly experienced and intentional at looking at every dimension of your injuries. Give us a call at (205)267-8561 for a free consultation.