During a car accident, your body may be jerked around by the impact. In many cases, head injuries are a result of this initial collision. If you feel dizzy following the accident, directly after or days following, you need to see a medical professional as soon as possible. There are a variety of reasons that an accident victim may be feeling dizzy following a wreck. As a trusted brain injury lawyer can confirm, head injury scenarios need to be taken as seriously as possible. If you don’t seek medical attention and legal guidance as soon as you can, the physical and financial consequences of this inaction can prove catastrophic.
Vertigo Symptoms
Vertigo is common after a car accident. You may feel like your surroundings spin when you aren’t moving. Vertigo is most likely caused by the brain receiving signals from the inner ear that are not consistent with the sensory nerves and eyes. You may experience vertigo directly following an accident or minutes, hours or days following the collision. You may feel dizzy, unsteady or nauseous. Vertigo may be triggered by simple movements, such as turning over in bed.
Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms
Dizziness can be a sign of a concussion or other traumatic brain injury. It can be challenging to determine the severity of a TBI without a medical examination. Suppose your dizziness is persistent, accompanied by headaches, slurred speech, fatigue, vomiting, amnesia, and/or confusion. If you have a concussion, you may be sensitive to light, noise and may find it difficult to sleep through the night. Other symptoms of a TBI include depression, behavioral and mood changes.
Whiplash Symptoms
One of the most common injuries following a car accident is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when your head and neck are thrown forward and then back in a quick and sudden motion. This motion can injure the bones, muscles, ligaments, and nerves in the neck. While some people heal within a few weeks from whiplash, others may require a more extended treatment plan or may suffer from chronic pain. Whiplash patients generally experience stiffness, neck pain and a loss of range of motion in the neck. You may experience fatigue, headaches or tenderness in your shoulder(s), arm(s), and/or upper back.
Don’t wait to seek medical attention following an accident if you feel dizzy or are experiencing any of the other symptoms noted above. Once you’ve been attended to medically, you can move forward with seeking legal guidance as well.