Headache After A Car Accident Lawyers in Chicago, IL
Many people experience headaches after a car accident, especially if the accident caused whiplash or a head injury.
While some people may start getting headaches immediately after the accident, others may not get them until after a few days or even weeks. No matter when you start to get headaches it is important that you seek immediate medical attention, and discuss all your symptoms with the treating physician.
When you get timely treatment for your headaches or other symptoms, it becomes easier for the doctor to find the root cause of the problem, and he/she is able to provide appropriate treatment. This also reduces the chances of a long term disability caused by traumatic brain injury, whiplash, head pain, or any other injury. It also helps safeguard your legal rights as an accident victim and you may be able to seek compensation for all your medical losses arising from the accident. The sooner you get medical treatment for your headaches after an accident, the better your chances are that you will be able to prove that the headaches are caused by the accident, and the insurance company will have no grounds to reject your claim.
Maintain Proper Records of Your Headaches
It is important to keep records of all your symptoms after a car accident, especially the headaches. The written record of your headaches helps your doctors understand your condition better and will enable them to provide better treatment. This is particularly important if you are still experiencing headaches long after the accident. Make sure you include the date and time you start getting the headaches, how long they typically last, how severe they are, and is there something the makes them better or worse.
Keeping records of your headaches also helps establish the pain and suffering you experience because of them. This is important because the compensation that you can receive for your injuries depends on the extent to which they affect you. By keeping records of the symptoms, you can track the intensity and duration of the headaches, and what activities you need to avoid or modify in order to control them. These records act as a valuable piece of evidence when you have to prove your claim in the court of law.
Value of a Headache Claim
The value of a car accident claim, and particularly the one that is based on the headaches can be hard to determine as there are several factors involved. The value may include all medical expenses resulting from the car accident, loss of income resulting from the headaches, pain and suffering caused by injuries and loss of enjoyment of life.
It is not difficult to calculate the value based on economic losses. However, putting a dollar value to your pain and suffering caused by the headaches can be extremely difficult. You would need the services of a competent Chicago car accident attorney to prove your claim and get the rightful compensation.
Headaches After Your Auto Accident
Victims of car accidents often suffer from post-traumatic headaches. Sometimes these headaches persist for weeks and months.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an auto accident in Chicago and now suffer from persistent headaches, Willens & Baez will help you understand your legal rights and options.
Post-Traumatic Headaches
Headaches are one of the most common, and among the most disabling, injuries people experience after car accidents. The headaches that people experience after an auto accident are known as post-traumatic headaches, because they start after a traumatic event such as a car crash. The victim can start experiencing these headaches immediately after the crash, or they may begin hours or even days after the crash as the brain undergoes some changes following the trauma.
It is important to note that the severity of the crash does not always determine the severity of the headache. Even relatively low impact crashes can cause severe headaches. Some of the factors that can affect the severity of symptoms include the head position at the time of crash, gender, age, and past history of brain injury or concussion.
Post-traumatic headaches may be intermittent or constant. If it occurs 15 or more days a month for three months, they are considered chronic headaches. In case they occur fewer than 15 times a month they are considered episodic headaches.
Car Accidents as a Cause of Headaches
A blow to the head or violent shaking of the brain even without a head trauma can cause post traumatic headaches. These headaches can also occur after rear end collision in which the victim’s neck and head is violently shaken back and forth (whiplash).
Some headaches are mild and resolve on their own without any lasting side effects. However, they can be a sign of something more serious such as a concussion, closed head injury or a traumatic brain injury. So, it is important to seek immediate medical attention even if you think your headache is no serious matter. Here are some signs that may indicate a head or brain injury:
- Dull, aching pain
- Sensation of pressure or tightness across the forehead, or on the back or sides of head
- Loss of appetite
- Tenderness on the scalp, shoulder muscles, and neck
- Dizziness and nausea
- Loss of consciousness
- Mood swings and changes in personality
It is the tendency of doctors and lawyers to focus on obvious injuries such as broken limbs, and neck and back injuries. Headaches are often ignored unless they are specifically reported to the doctor. The first line of treatment is usually medication. Treatment of other underlying injuries may also help ease headaches.
Contact Willens & Baez!
As soon as you can after your accident, give Willens & Baez a call at 312-957-4166. We want to help. We have the knowledge and experience you need on your side. We are your top-rated Chicago car accident lawyers.
