After an auto accident, many people think that it’s normal to have a headache. In some regards, it is if you have suffered from whiplash or hit your head.
What isn’t recommended is going home without getting checked out by a medical professional. Even if you feel okay, that minor headache could turn into major problem very quickly if it’s related to a brain injury.
Headaches are an early symptom of traumatic brain injuries
Headaches can be an early symptom of an injury to the brain. After a traumatic brain injury, it’s common for people to suffer from regular headaches. While they generally begin within a week or so of your initial injury, it’s possible to have a headache right away.
A headache can also be a sign that you’ve hurt the skull. For example, if you hit your head on the steering wheel, you may have fractured your skull. Though this doesn’t necessarily involve the brain, swelling and other symptoms do need to be checked out.
What should you do if you have a headache after a car crash?
A headache after an auto accident could mean that you have whiplash, damage to your spine or skull or a brain injury, so it’s important for you to seek out medical help. You may want to go to the hospital when the ambulance arrives and you’re seen by paramedics, or you can go on your own if you’re able to drive.
In any case, it is smart to get a medical exam after a crash, because injuries don’t always appear right away. Swelling, the retention of fluids and pain may all be delayed. As a result, you may think that you’re fine but actually have a serious injury brewing under the surface.
Get the help you need following a collision
After an auto crash, you do need to focus on getting the help you need medically and legally. It’s true that medical bills can be costly, and time off work could hurt your finances, too. With the right approach, you can seek compensation with a personal injury claim to get the compensation you need to support yourself following an injury.