Protecting the Rights
of Injury Victims

Thomas DeLattre and Glen D. Wieland

What does my headache after a car accident mean?

On Behalf of | Oct 3, 2024 | Auto Accident |

Headaches are common after a car accident. Even if you believe you are otherwise uninjured, you may very well have a headache immediately after or a few days after the accident.

You may also walk away from the accident believing you are uninjured but later develop a headache in the coming days and weeks. If enough time has passed since the accident, you might not associate the headache with the accident, but symptoms from a head injury can sometimes take weeks or months to appear.

This is one reason why you should get a thorough medical examination after a car accident. A doctor can check for signs or symptoms of a head injury and a delayed diagnosis could make it more challenging to recover compensation if you decide to pursue a personal injury action.

Common headaches after a car accident

There are several different types of headaches you can experience as a car accident victim. Headaches after a car accident are called post-traumatic headaches and are the result of the trauma of being involved in a car accident.

The strain on your head, neck and back from the sudden impact of a car accident leads to a headache.

A headache may also indicate a concussion. Concussions are serious because they are technically a brain injury, caused by your brain being jolted against the inner walls of your skull.

Whiplash, which is a common car accident injury, can cause headaches, as can muscle strains, pinched nerves and herniated discs in your neck.

Always take a headache after a car accident seriously. If you have a medical checkup after the accident and no head injury is suspected, go back if you develop a headache in the future.

The catastrophic effects of a head injury

A head injury from a car accident can impact you for the rest of your life. Traumatic brain injuries have both physical and mental symptoms including changes in attitude or personality. Many times, people are forced to leave lucrative careers or lose valued relationships due to these changes.

When the car accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, it is natural to want to hold someone responsible. Florida negligence law only allows you to recover compensation if you are deemed to be 50% or less responsible for the accident so you must build the strongest case possible.

Document everything you can remember the accident. Call the police and obtain a copy of the report. This is evidence that can help you prove your case for negligence.

Keep copies of your medical records to prove your damages, which is one of the elements of negligence. These can help prove physical damages, such as the cost of medical treatment, but proving mental and emotional damages can be more challenging.

Expert testimony might be necessary to prove mental damages. An expert witness can testify about the impact the head injury will have on the rest of your life.

We are on your side

Pursuing compensation through a personal injury action can be a complex process with various requirements and deadlines, including the statute of limitations. It can be difficult to go through the process while dealing with a head injury, which is why it is best to have someone looking out for your best interest.

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