Head pain after a car accident is more common than you think and can be from minor stress to serious injury.
71% of people with a TBI had headaches in the year after their injury, 41% at 3, 6, and 12 months.
Here I will covers the causes, symptoms to look out for, and what to do if you have a headache after a collision.
Key Takeaways
- Headaches after car accident mean serious issues like TBIs or whiplash and shouldn’t be dismissed.
- Post traumatic and migraine headaches can develop after a crash
- Immediate medical attention and proper documentation are essential for managing symptoms and potential insurance claims after an accident.
Causes of Headache After Car Accident
Headaches after car accidents can be caused by many reasons that are very serious and need medical attention.
The impact can cause immediate or delayed symptoms, and stress caused by the accident can cause headaches that can vary from mild to severe and can be felt at the point of impact on your head.
You should never ignore any kind of head pain after an accident because it can lead to more serious problems in the future.
It is good to know the causes, like traumatic brain injury, whiplash, and muscle strain, because these conditions can affect your life very much if not treated.
1. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a condition in which there is a blow to the head that causes the brain to move inside the skull.
This can happen in a car accident when your head hits an object or when there is a sudden jolt.
Research shows that 10-95% of people have headaches in the first year after a traumatic brain injury (TBI), depending on the severity of the trauma and what kind of pain is being measured.
TBIs can be mild, moderate, or severe, and symptoms can include blurry vision, double vision, and difficulty concentrating.
Even a mild TBI can be caused by direct trauma or whiplash during a crash. Concussions, a type of TBI, occur when the brain shakes inside the skull, causing headaches, nausea, and confusion. Symptoms can appear near the injury site and can last for a while.
In severe cases, TBIs can cause subdural hematomas, which are collections of blood on the surface of the brain. These require immediate medical attention.
2. Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash injuries are another common cause of headache after a car accident. These injuries occur from a sudden and violent jolt of the head and neck, typically in rear-end collisions.
It can cause cervicogenic headaches. Research shows 8% unilateral cervicogenic headaches at 6 weeks and 3% at 1 year post-injury.
Whiplash headaches can appear days or even weeks after the incident, which is very alarming.
Symptoms of whiplash headaches can include neck pain, stiffness, dizziness, and fatigue.
The delayed onset of these symptoms can complicate diagnosis and treatment, so even if you feel fine right after the accident, getting medical attention is crucial.
3. Muscle Strain and Tension
Muscle strain and tension can also cause headaches after a car accident. Strains and muscle spasms often occur in the neck and upper back during a collision, causing tight muscles, tension, inflammation, and persistent headaches.
Injuries to the neck, head, or upper back muscles can result in muscle-contraction headaches.
Types of Headaches After a Car Accident
Headaches after car accidents can be of different types and severities. Post-traumatic headaches are related to head and neck trauma from the collision.
These headaches can develop hours or even days after the accident, sometimes without a direct hit to the head, and can cause ongoing pain.
Injuries to the neck and back muscles can lead to muscle-contraction headaches. As the underlying injuries heal, the intensity and frequency of these headaches may decrease.
1. Post-Traumatic Headache
Post-traumatic headaches are a common consequence of a motor vehicle crash. They can appear days or even weeks after the accident, making them a significant concern.
Chiropractors often see patients with these headaches due to the trauma involved.
Ignoring these headaches isn’t a good idea. They can lead to chronic pain and other complications. Medical evaluation and treatment can help you manage these headaches and avoid long-term problems.
2. Migraine Headache
Migraine headaches can be quite a problem, especially when they’re caused by concussions. You may experience nausea, light sensitivity, and intense head pain.
It can cause serious head injuries, including migraines that can last for weeks after the accident.
Managing migraines often requires a combination of medications and lifestyle changes. Getting medical attention early on can help identify the cause and provide treatment options for those migraine headaches.
3. Occipital Neuralgia Headache
Occipital neuralgia Headaches can cause sharp pain at the back of your head. You may experience symptoms such as tenderness, burning, numbness, and tingling.
These headaches are often caused by nerve compression due to spinal problems after a car accident.
Signs of Serious Head Injuries
Prompt treatment can make a big difference in preventing complications and speeding up recovery.
Fractures to the skull or neck can cause localized and intense headaches. If your headache symptoms worsen, it could indicate something like a subdural hematoma, which requires urgent care.
Ignoring head pain can delay the diagnosis of serious injuries and lead to chronic conditions.
A thorough physical exam and brain function tests are important for assessing any potential brain damage after a car accident.
Persistent Headaches
Persistent headaches that won’t go away should prompt you to see a healthcare provider. These severe headaches can signal an underlying condition that needs attention.
Muscle strains can limit your range of motion and tenderness, contributing to those nagging headache symptoms.
Cognitive Issues
Memory problems and confusion often occur after a brain injury. Car accidents can result in serious brain injuries that lead to cognitive symptoms like memory loss and difficulty concentrating.
Sensory Disturbances
Whiplash headaches can cause visual disturbances and fatigue. After accident, sensory disturbances like blurred vision, dizziness, and ringing in the ears can signal serious head injuries.
Headaches after a car accident can indicate another injury related to the crash. Being aware of these symptoms and seeking medical attention can help you avoid long-term issues and support your recovery.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Head Pain After a Car Accident
More than 30% of moderate to severe TBIs have headaches that linger. You should never ignore head pain after a car accident because it can lead to serious complications.
Even a minor accident can result in symptoms that may not be immediately obvious, so a medical evaluation is necessary.
- Ignoring headaches can delay the diagnosis of serious injuries like brain damage.
- Chronic headaches after an accident may indicate post-concussion syndrome and require immediate attention.
- Car accident headaches can signal more serious injuries or brain damage that could lead to chronic issues if untreated.
Steps to Take If You Experience Head Pain After a Car Accident
If you have head pain after a car accident, you should take swift action. If you fail to seek medical help, it can complicate insurance claims and weaken your case.
Make sure to document your symptoms thoroughly; this will aid in diagnosis and any potential claims.
Get Medical Attention Now
Some symptoms could indicate a serious head injury that requires immediate medical attention. Chronic headaches that don’t improve over time should definitely be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
Cognitive symptoms like memory loss, confusion, and difficulty concentrating may signal a brain injury.
You should never ignore head pain after a car accident because it can lead to complications that worsen over time.
Getting medical attention right away is essential to diagnose and treat any underlying conditions.
Document Symptoms
You should keep a detailed record of your symptoms after the accident. This information will be invaluable for diagnosis and can support personal injury claims.
A complete record of your symptoms is essential for medical evaluation and potential legal claims.
Contact a personal injury lawyer.
You should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the accident to understand your rights and options for compensation.
A lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of accident injury claims.
Treatment for Head Pain after Car Accident
You should treat headaches after car accidents with pain relief medications, physical therapy, and behavioral therapies.
Head pain management often requires a combination of physical therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments.
Recovery and Long-term management
You should recover from head pain after a car accident depending on the severity of the injury. Common medications for tension-type headaches include ibuprofen and heating pads.
Preventive treatment for chronic headaches might involve antidepressants and seizure medications.
So there you have it. Bear in mind that head pain after a car accident is a serious matter that should never be ignored.
References:
- Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Headaches.” The Journal of Headache and Pain, Springer, 2024
- Chronic Post-Traumatic Headaches.” MDPI, MDPI, 2024
- The Challenges of Post-Traumatic Headaches and Migraines from Car Crashes.” Northern Virginia Legal Examiner, 2024
- Cervicogenic Headaches and Whiplash Injuries.” PMC – NIH, National Institutes of Health
