Headaches after a Car Accident – Normal or Serious?

Many people are involved in car, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian accidents from which they walk away without broken bones or major lacerations. They might get treated and quickly released from the emergency room with standard orders of rest and over the counter pain medications or they might not seek medical assistance at all. They will suffer through headaches, dizziness, vomiting and cognitive issues. These symptoms often go unreported to doctors. Each of these issues are symptoms of a <href=”http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/civ_jury_instructions/instructions.shtml#500”> closed head injury.

What is a Closed Head Injury?

Closed head injuries are common in car accidents and sports related accidents. They generally result from a blow to the head. Closed head injuries are the number one cause of death in Floridians under the age of 45. Closed head injuries can range from relatively mild to extremely severe and debilitating. Common closed head brain injuries include

<href=”http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/concussion/basics/definition/con-20019272”> 1. Concussion Concussions can be caused by both a direct blow to the head or the violent shaking of the head and upper body such as that experienced in car or motorcycle accident. There may or may not be a loss of consciousness when the concussion occurs.
<href=”http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/intracranial-hematoma/basics/definition/con-20019654”> 2. Intracranial Hematoma Usually, an Intracranial Hematoma occurs because the fluid that separates the skull and brain cannot absorb the shock of a sudden impact and the brain becomes bruised. This causes bleeding either within the brain or between the brain and skull. This condition is extremely serious and may require surgery.
<href=”http://neurosurgery.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=125”> 3. Cerebral Contusion A cerebral contusion is what is commonly known as a brain bruise. Cerebral contusions can be accompanied by microhemorrages which cause blood leaks into the brain.
<href=”http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/intracranial-hematoma/basics/definition/con-20019654”> 4. Diffuse Axonal Brain Injury A diffuse axonal brain injury is a severe closed head injury that is often found in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents. Essentially, this injury causes the nerves cells in the brain to not operate properly and brain cells may die. Brain swelling can accompany this injury which will prevent the brain from receiving proper blood flow which may cause permanent brain damage.
Treatment of Closed Head Injury

There is no one cure fits all treatment of closed head brain injuries. Each situation is different and must be treated as such. The important thing is to seek treatment and not conceal symptoms. As a general rule, patients should be monitored for an increase in symptoms. Likely, doctors will treat the symptoms with various medications. The nature of the symptoms will influence which medications will be utilized. However, these medications are ineffective to resolve the true medical issue. The general goal of the treating physician is monitor the patient and be ready to intervene surgically should the patient’s condition worsen.

Contact Jones Law Group

Have you or a loved one been involved in an accident caused by another driver which you believe that might have caused a closed head injury? Contact an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney at Jones Law Group today. When you contact our office we will immediately set an appointment where you will meet your attorney and be provided with his/her personal contact information. If you do not have transportation or you cannot drive, your attorney will travel to meet you and discuss your case with you.

Whether you were a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or the occupant of car, motorcycle or boat and have been injured in an accident, you should immediately call Jones Law Group at (727) 571-1333 during regular business hours or (727) 753-8657 on weekends or after regular business hours. We will evaluate your case for free and you will never pay us a dime unless we recover compensation for your injuries.

Jones Law Group
5622 Central Avenue
St. Pete, FL 33707