What Should I Do If I Feel Dizzy After a Car Accident?
Dizziness is one of the most common aftereffects of a car crash, which is why you may not take it seriously if you feel dizzy after yours. Nevertheless, you should. Why? Because dizziness implies an underlying cause, and you need to discover that cause as soon as possible. There may be a lot of unseen injuries that may have occurred during the accident and it is extremely important to consult with a medical professional as soon as you can after a car accident.
Possible Causes of Dizziness
Many injuries, some of them very serious, can bring on dizziness as one of their symptoms. Common causes include the following:
- Concussion or other traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Shock
- Vertigo, especially Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), often called car accident vertigo
- Restricted blood flow to your head and brain
- Blood pressure drop
- Inner ear injury
Associated Symptoms
Dizziness seldom occurs all by itself. You likely will experience other symptoms as well, including such things as the following:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Inability to maintain your balance
- Inability to think clearly
- Inability to speak clearly
- Inability to understand what’s going on around you
- Inability to answer questions appropriately
- Inability to concentrate
- Tinnitus, i.e., ringing in your ears
- Loss of consciousness
- Pain in your head or neck
- Sensitivity to light
- Strange tastes or smells
Getting Immediate Medical Help
Do not ignore your post-accident dizziness, even if it is only slight. Get medical help at an emergency room as soon as possible. A doctor, preferably a head trauma specialist, needs to evaluate you and order appropriate tests, such as x-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI, to discover why you’re feeling dizzy. The sooner you begin receiving appropriate treatment for your injury or injuries, the less likely they will cause you lasting problems.
Also, keep in mind that dizziness and other symptoms may or may not appear immediately after your accident. Stay alert for any of the above-listed symptoms, plus the following, in the days and weeks after your accident:
- Sleep disturbances
- Memory loss
- Depression
- Irritability or other personality changes
If you notice any of these, go back to the emergency room or make an appointment with your physician as soon as possible. You may well need further testing and additional treatment.
Engaging a Car Accident Lawyer
As your medical bills start piling up, you may wish to contact a car accident attorney Des Moines, IA from a law firm like Des Moines Injury Law. He or she can assess your injuries from a legal point of view and advise you not only of whether you can sue the person whose negligence caused your accident but also of the amount of compensation you likely can recover for your economic and non-economic damages and losses.
You do not have to deal with the injuries and pain that occurred from the car accident. Speaking with an attorney could help you get a better understanding of some of your legal options.
