Why You Should Always Be Evaluated for a Head Injury After a Car Accident

Car Accidents and Head Injuries

Many people assume that if they don’t have any immediate bruising, bleeding, or pain, they aren’t injured. But unfortunately, many very serious car accident injuries often have no signs or symptoms for hours or even days after the injury. You should always be evaluated for injuries after a car accident, and evaluation for a possible head injury should be part of that.

When police and emergency medical personnel arrive on the scene of your car accident, they will ask if you want to be evaluated. You should always say yes. You need to be evaluated at minimum for neck and back injuries, as well as head injuries. While emergency medical personnel can’t do a complete examination at the scene, they can triage to determine the need for further examination.

When emergency medical personnel evaluate for head injuries, they will look for several signs you might not be able to detect for yourself or with a family member, things such as:

• Confusion
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Changes in movement or speech

Another clear sign of a head injury is loss of consciousness. Even if you only think you might have lost consciousness, you should still be seen by a doctor for a possible concussion or brain injury. If you hit your head on the dash or have airbags deployed, you should be checked immediately for other signs of concussion.

It is important to get immediate medical treatment after a car accident so that you protect your right to compensation. Whenever you are in doubt, go to the emergency room or your own physician for a complete physical examination. 

You should also always contact an attorney as soon as possible so that you have someone in your corner as you work to heal from your head injury. Contact us today for a free consultation.

About the Author

Patrick M. Regan, Esq.

Patrick Regan is a board certified personal injury lawyer and a founding partner at Regan Zambri Long. His practice is devoted to helping those who suffered catastrophic injuries in car accidents, truck accidents, Metro accidents, and medical malpractice. Over his nearly 40-year career, Patrick has obtained some of the most significant jury verdicts in the history of Washington, DC on behalf of injured victims. Patrick is licensed to practice law in Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland. He received his B.A. at Hamilton College and his J.D. at the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America.