Headaches after an accident in which a victim strikes his or her head are extremely common. Unfortunately, besides being painful and debilitating, they can also be a symptom of a more severe injury. The only way to diagnose and begin treating these symptoms is to identify the cause by obtaining a diagnosis. Once an injury heals, however, it’s important for accident victims to start exploring their legal options, as they could be entitled to damages.
Don’t Ignore Headaches After an Accident
The blunt force impact that so often accompanies accidents in which a person strikes his or her head can be dangerous. These individuals often experience serious headaches, which can be evidence of a wide range of different injuries. For instance, a headache at the base of the neck could be indicative of whiplash, which occurs when the soft tissue in the neck is damaged or instead could be the result of a blood clot caused by internal bleeding. This is why it’s so important for accident victims to remain vigilant for symptoms, like headaches, which could be evidence of a much more serious problem.
Types of Headaches
There are a lot of different types of headaches, ranging from a pulsing pain in the temples to throbbing aches near the back of the skull. Most accident-related headaches fall under one of the following categories:
- Post-traumatic headaches, which occur when there is trauma to the neck or head and can feel like migraines and be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and pulsating pain;
- Post-concussive headaches, which occur when a blunt force impact causes the brain to strike against the inside of the skull, damaging the brain cells and manifesting as memory loss, dizziness, and a ringing in the ears;
- Muscle-contraction or spasm headaches, which occur when the soft tissue is damaged in the neck, causing the surrounding muscles to expand and contract and resulting in localized pain in the head;
- Whiplash headaches, which can occur in those who suffer a violent jolt, forcing the neck backwards and forwards and damaging the soft tissue and nerve roots, resulting in headaches near the base of the skull;
- Fracture headaches, which can affect those who suffer broken bones in the skull or neck and is either localized near the injury site or at the back of the skull and can cause the formation of blood clots in the brain; and
- Occipital neuralgia, or headaches caused by pinched or compressed nerves in the neck or at the base of the skull and which typically take the form of a throbbing, or pulsating headache.
These types of frequent headaches after an accident could indicate that a person is suffering from a serious head injury, making it especially important for those who are experiencing these symptoms to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
What to Do if You Are Suffering From Headaches After an Accident
There is often more to a headache than meets the eye, especially for accident victims, which is why those who have sustained some sort of blunt force trauma should consider taking the following steps:
- Undergoing a physical examination and diagnostic tests, like x-rays and CT scans;
- Adhering to a prescribed treatment plan that includes the proper medications, exercises, and even lifestyle changes necessary to treat an injury;
- Taking detailed notes about the impacts of the headaches on their day-to-day life, which can help establish how much a person could be entitled in damages for disability and pain and suffering;
- Keeping records that document the injury, including medical bills, proof of lost wages, and costs associated with rehabilitation and ongoing therapies; and
- Consulting with an attorney, who can walk them through their legal options when it comes to seeking compensation.
For an assessment of your own legal options following a car accident-related head injury, call our legal team today.
Call Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein for Help
Diagnosing and treating head injuries can be extremely expensive, which can be particularly frustrating for those who weren’t at fault for their accident, but were injured because of someone else’s carelessness. Fortunately, it is possible to hold negligent parties accountable. Doing so, however, can be complicated, especially without the help of an experienced attorney. To get started on your own case, please call 305-371-2692 and set up a meeting with one of the dedicated and compassionate Miami personal injury lawyers at Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein today. You can also reach out to us by completing one of our online contact forms.