Headaches are one of the more common symptoms that appear after motor vehicle accidents in New Mexico. Often headache symptoms don’t start until days or weeks after the incident, outlining the need for victims to visit a medical professional for an evaluation.
Common reasons for post-accident headaches
Some victims ignore headaches following car accidents because they feel lucky to have survived or had headaches before getting into the fender bender. Several different headache types commonly occur after an accident, with some caused by a blow to the head or as a result of whiplash. The most common are:
- Post-traumatic headaches
- Concussion headaches
- Whiplash headaches
- Muscle strain or spasm headaches
- Fracture headaches
- Pinched nerve headaches
Symptoms can vary, depending on the cause of your headache. These can include nausea, light and sound sensitivity, dizziness, neck soreness and stiffness, visual disturbances, burning numbness and tingling.
If you have constant or frequent headaches after a car accident, don’t wait to get an examination. Post-traumatic headaches can lead to brain damage, while delaying treatment for other headache types can often worsen symptoms while also causing additional problems.
Some injuries may not appear catastrophic initially
Some victims may not consider post-accident headaches to be catastrophic injuries, yet they can become life-changing. If your headaches increase in intensity or lead to other problems, you may be unable to work temporarily or permanently. Like more obvious physical injuries, headaches resulting from car accidents may qualify for personal injury claims.
Because headaches don’t have physical symptoms that one can readily see, keeping thorough medical records is essential, also underlying the need for prompt treatment. Detailed record-keeping may also increase your chances of having a successful claim and getting compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering and time away from your job resulting in lost income.
