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Headache After a Car Accident: Why You Need to See the Doctor

We all know about some of the worst injuries that can happen to a car accident victim. Brain damage, paralysis, even death can result. In light of these, it’s tempting to view a post-accident headache as no big deal. But if you or a loved one has been in a car accident, a headache can mean something serious. Failing to see a doctor may jeopardize your health as well as the compensation you can recover. See your doctor and talk to an experienced Roswell, Georgia automobile accident attorney.

Headaches After a Car Accident are Common

Having a headache after a car accident is not unusual. Unfortunately, it can indicate damage to the head, neck, or spine. Even if the head itself is not impacted, the sudden jolt of an accident can cause a headache to develop. When automobiles collide, the human body may twist or turn suddenly. You may not even realize this has happened since accidents occur in the blink of an eye. Yet this unnatural movement can cause damaging effects. Not to mention a bump on the head, even if it seems slight, may be more harmful than you realize.

Three of the common underlying conditions giving rise to a headache are whiplash, concussion, and traumatic brain injury.

Whiplash results from sudden over-extension of the neck during an accident. Injuries to the spinal cord and vertebrae are not uncommon, with headaches sometimes beginning a week or so later. Other symptoms of whiplash include:

  • Muscle spasms
  • Stiffness in the neck
  • Numb or tingling sensations
  • Blurred vision
  • Dizziness
  • Memory loss

The degree of severity varies from one accident victim to another. Immediate medical attention could help resolve the problem quickly. But failure to address symptoms, like a headache, could cause these and others to last for months or even years. You should see a Roswell, Georgia automobile accident attorney if you have been diagnosed with whiplash after a wreck.

Concussion results from a sudden, direct blow to the brain. It can cause headaches, but these may be delayed for a time after the accident. Besides a headache, a concussion victim may suffer:

  • Dizziness
  • Slurred speech
  • Confusion
  • Blurred vision
  • Memory loss
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Nausea

Concussions cause swelling of the brain and can cause long-term problems if not treated. Headaches lasting for several weeks may indicate post-concussion syndrome or other complications. As with whiplash symptoms, don’t overlook the need for a professional medical opinion. See your doctor right away.

Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, occurs after direct impact to the brain. The victim may suffer damage that leads to physical and mental problems. Other than headaches, TBI victims may have:

  • Balance problems
  • Dizziness
  • Mood changes
  • Sleep changes
  • Blurred vision

Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is serious enough in some cases to warrant surgery. Accident attorneys in Roswell, Georgia encourage all victims with any type of head injury to see a doctor.

An accident victim may be reluctant to seek medical attention for a headache. The delay in experiencing a headache often suggests it’s a minor issue not worth bothering with. But failure to see a doctor may allow your symptoms to persist or develop into something more serious. Your health is too important to jeopardize.

Your Roswell, Georgia automobile accident attorney also understands the legal risk of not seeking medical attention. If you don’t see a doctor and your symptoms develop later, it will be more difficult to demand compensation. The at-fault driver’s insurance company may deny liability or attribute your symptoms to something else. A delay like this can cost you down the line and leave you responsible for medical expenses.

If You’ve Been Injured, We Can Help

Remember, after any automobile accident – even one that seems minor – let a doctor examine you. Your health depends on it, but so does your ability to collect damages. If another driver is at fault for your accident, that individual should be responsible for your expenses. The Roswell, GA personal injury attorneys of Hammers Law Firm fight to make sure that happens. Contact us today about your accident and see how we can help.