If you have a headache after being rear-ended, do not ignore it. Seek medical care as soon as possible. A headache may be a sign of whiplash, a concussion, another traumatic brain injury (TBI), or a neck injury that does not appear right away.
Headaches are one of the most common symptoms after a rear-end collision. They may begin immediately or develop hours or days later. A headache also does not always mean you have a minor injury. In many cases, it is one of the first signs that your neck, spine, or brain was affected by the crash.
Even low-speed rear-end crashes can place a great deal of force on the body. Our Marietta car accident lawyer will explain your legal options for recovering damages. We will handle talks with the insurance company investigating your claim, gather evidence to show how the crash caused your injuries, and pursue damages from the at-fault driver.
Why You Should Never Ignore a Headache After a Car Accident
Injuries can become more serious if treatment is delayed. A doctor can determine whether your headache is related to whiplash, a concussion, a neck injury, or another condition caused by the crash.
Adrenaline after an accident may temporarily mask pain, which is one reason many people do not notice their symptoms until they get home or wake up the next morning.
Getting medical care soon after the collision also creates records showing when your symptoms began and how they developed. Those records often become important evidence if you seek damages from the at-fault party.
Go to the emergency room or call 911 right away if your headache becomes severe or is accompanied by dizziness, confusion, vomiting, vision changes, trouble speaking, weakness, numbness, or loss of consciousness.
Do You Have a Headache After a Car Accident, But You Didn’t Hit Your Head?
You can develop a headache after a crash even if you never hit your head. The sudden force of a rear-end collision causes your head to move rapidly back and forth.
That motion may stretch muscles, strain ligaments, irritate nerves, or cause the brain to move inside the skull. Any of these injuries may lead to headaches. For this reason, doctors often evaluate people for neck injuries and concussions even when there are no visible injuries to the head.
A Direct Blow to the Head Is Not Always Necessary
Many people expect a concussion only after striking their head on the steering wheel or window. In reality, the sudden force of a rear-end collision may be enough to injure the brain or neck.
This is why doctors evaluate crash victims based on their symptoms, not just whether there was a direct blow to the head.
Types of Headaches After Being Rear-Ended
Several injuries can cause headaches after a rear-end crash.
Whiplash
Your neck absorbs much of the force during a rear-end accident. As the head snaps backward and forward, the muscles and other soft tissues may become strained. One common result is a headache that starts near the base of the skull.
Traumatic Brain Injury
You do not have to lose consciousness to suffer a concussion or another traumatic brain injury. A violent jolt may cause the brain to move inside the skull, leading to headaches, dizziness, memory problems, sensitivity to light, nausea, and difficulty concentrating.
Cervical Disc Herniation
The force of a rear-end collision may damage one or more discs in the neck. A herniated disc can press on nearby nerves, leading to headaches along with neck pain, shoulder pain, numbness, or tingling in the arms.
What Damages May Be Available After a Rear-End Collision?
If another driver’s negligence caused the crash, you may be able to seek damages for how the injury has affected you. Your claim may include the cost of emergency care, follow-up care, medications, lost wages, and the physical pain and emotional effects of the injury.
If your symptoms become permanent or interfere with your daily activities, those losses may also be considered when calculating damages. The medical records created after the crash, along with opinions from your treating providers and other evidence, often help show the full scope of your injuries.
Our Marietta catastrophic injury lawyer will work with your medical providers and other experts when needed to document the injuries and the effect they have on your daily life. This evidence can strengthen your claim for damages.
Time Limits for Filing a Lawsuit After a Georgia Car Accident
You generally have two years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit under Georgia Code § 9-3-33. Some claims involve circumstances that may change this deadline. If you wait too long to file a lawsuit and miss the deadline, you may not be able to move forward with a case.
Speaking with an attorney from our office soon after the accident gives you evidence to protect your rights, understand the deadlines that apply to your situation, and decide whether filing a lawsuit is necessary. You can call us after you have received the medical care you need.
Talk With Jones & Swanson About a Headache After Being Rear-Ended in Georgia
A headache after a rear-end crash may be the first sign of a serious injury. If you have medical bills, lost pay, and an insurance company investigating your claim, Jones & Swanson will explain your options, answer your questions, and help you make the right decisions for your situation.
Jones & Swanson has more than 50 years of combined experience and has recovered more than $50 million for clients throughout Georgia. We are a smaller firm by choice, not a big-box firm that advertises on TV and treats clients like case numbers.
We provide responsive service, highly experienced attorneys and staff, and the resources to handle complex catastrophic injury cases. We return phone calls and emails and will travel to you when needed.
If you do not have health insurance, we will discuss options for getting the medical care you need while your case is pending. Call today for a free consultation.
