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Car accidents are already traumatizing, but if you begin to experience dizziness or vertigo, you may also feel lost about what to do. You’re not alone if you’re experiencing dizziness following a car accident. Many car crash victims experience vertigo, which different injuries can cause. If you are experiencing dizziness after an automobile accident, call an experienced car accident lawyer at Cantor Grana Bucker Bucci today for a free consultation.
Is It Normal to Feel Dizzy After a Car Crash?
Yes, it is common to feel dizzy after car accidents. Car accident injuries vary, but when you experience a sudden change in motion, such as when you get in a crash, it can cause the inner ear to become disoriented. This can lead to feelings of dizziness, vertigo, and nausea.
Symptoms of Dizziness After a Car Accident
The dizziness or vertigo symptoms after an auto accident can vary from person to person. Most victims experience lightheadedness or blurred vision. Other symptoms include:
- Feeling lightheaded or unsteady
- Blurred vision or dizziness when looking up
- Feeling like you are spinning or that the room is spinning around you
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness when standing up or moving suddenly
- Fatigue
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Dizziness when looking up
- Loss of facial muscle control
- Inner ear disorientation
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical treatment right away.
What is Post-Traumatic Vertigo?
Post-traumatic vertigo is a type of dizziness often caused by a head injury. It is estimated that about 25% of people who suffer from a concussion will experience some form of vertigo in the weeks or months following the injury.
Causes of Dizziness Following a Car Accident
There are several causes of dizziness. Some of the most common causes include sudden movement of your head, neck, or body, traumatic brain injury, and dehydration. Additionally, if you have been in a collision involving airbags, you may experience temporary dizziness due to the airbag deployment. Some other causes of dizziness after a motor vehicle accident include:
Post-Traumatic Meniere’s disease
Post-traumatic Meniere’s disease is a type of vertigo caused by a head injury or car accident. Meniere’s syndrome is a chronic inflammatory disease rarely found in automobile accident cases. This may partly arise from symptoms that make finding an accurate diagnosis difficult. The more serious the skull injury is, the higher the probability of Meniere’s syndrome. Some accident victims have preexisting conditions that make them more susceptible to post-traumatic Meniere syndrome.
Other symptoms of this condition cause severe dizziness, ringing in the ears, and hearing loss.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a type of vertigo caused by a problem with the inner ear. It can be caused by a car accident, head injury, or another event that causes sudden movement of the head. BPPV can cause dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
Head Injuries That Can Cause Vertigo
Concussion
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that can occur after a car accident. This injury can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Common symptoms of concussions should not be ignored as they can lead to more serious health problems down the road.
Subdural Hematoma
A subdural hematoma is a brain injury that can occur after a car accident. This injury can cause dizziness, confusion, and seizures.
Edema
Edema is a condition that causes the brain to swell. It is caused by head trauma. This swelling can cause dizziness, headaches, and seizures.
Coup-Contrecoup Injuries
When the head is struck directly with a blunt object, it can cause a coup-contrecoup injury. This type of brain injury can cause dizziness and seizures.
Vestibular Injuries
The vestibular system is responsible for balance and movement. This system can be injured in a car accident, which can cause dizziness, vertigo, and nausea.
What Causes Vestibular Vertigo?
Vestibular vertigo can arise immediately after the crash or with delayed onset.
Some can last up to two years and include:
- Migraine headaches
- Difficulty with balance
- Dizziness or vertigo
Vertigo can also be caused by other medical conditions, such as labyrinthitis and multiple sclerosis.
Can Whiplash Cause Vertigo?
Whiplash injuries typically cause cervical vertigo. A whiplash injury happens when the head moves backward and forwards quickly, causing dizziness. It can last for years, though most car accident victims recover within a year.
Other Causes of Vertigo
Dehydration
If you have been in a car accident, it is important to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Dehydration can cause dizziness, headaches, and fatigue.
Cervicogenic Injury (Neck Injury)
Neck injuries are caused by damage to the neck’s muscles, ligaments, or joints. It can cause dizziness, neck pain and shoulders, and headaches.
Back injury
If you have been in a car accident, there is also a chance that you may experience back pain. This type of injury can cause dizziness, neck pain, shoulders, and headaches.
Bruising or Swelling of The Brain
If the car accident resulted in a head injury, you might experience bruising or swelling of the brain. Bruising or swelling could also lead to restricted blood flow to the brain. This can cause dizziness, confusion, seizures, and coma.
Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord injury can also cause dizziness following an auto accident. This type of injury can result in loss of movement or sensation in the arms and legs.
Injury to Temporal Bones
Injury to the temporal bones or a temporal bone fracture can cause severe vertigo. This type of injury is usually caused by a head or car accident. The temporal bones are located on the sides of your head, just above your ears. They play an important role in hearing and balance. You may experience severe vertigo, ringing in the ears, or hearing loss if you are injured.
What Should I do If I Have Vertigo After a Car Accident?
If you are experiencing vertigo after a car accident, seek medical attention right away. It can be a sign of a more serious injury, such as a concussion or brain injury. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for relieving vertigo and preventing further injuries.
Tips for Relieving Dizziness After a Car Accident
There are several things you can do to relieve dizziness following a crash. Here are a few tips:
- Drink plenty of fluids to help flush out the toxins from your body.
- Rest as much as possible. This will allow your body to heal and reduce the risk of developing dizziness again.
- Apply ice or a cold pack to the affected area to reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers to relieve any pain or discomfort you are feeling.
- Wear a brace or neck support if you have been diagnosed with whiplash.
- Talk to your doctor about taking medication to help relieve dizziness.
How Long Does Dizziness Last After a Car Accident?
The duration of vertigo after an auto accident can vary from person to person. In most cases, the symptoms will subside within a few days or weeks. However, if you have sustained a traumatic brain injury in the collision, you may experience dizziness for months or even years afterward. If your dizziness does not improve after a few weeks, be sure to talk to your doctor. They may recommend additional treatment options.
Is Vertigo Treatable?
Yes, vertigo is treatable. Several treatments available can help relieve the symptoms and improve your quality of life. Medical treatment options vary depending on the cause of your vertigo. Your doctor may recommend medications, physical therapy, or surgery to treat the condition.
Can I Sue The Driver Who Caused My Injuries?
This is a complicated question and one that should be discussed with an experienced personal injury lawyer. In some cases, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the driver who caused your injuries. However, this depends on the specific circumstances of your case. An attorney can evaluate the facts of your accident and determine if you have a valid legal claim.
Getting a Fair Settlement for Vertigo After a Car Accident
You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries if you have been diagnosed with vertigo after a motor vehicle accident. The at-fault driver’s insurance company will attempt to settle for as little money as possible. To ensure you get the money you deserve, you should:
- Seek medical treatment immediately: see a doctor directly after a car accident, even if you feel fine. Then, keep all documents, including invoices and notes, to use to prove your case.
- Don’t settle too quickly: If you take the first offer you’re given, you may not receive all you’re entitled to.
- Contact a Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci personal injury lawyer: Having an experienced trial lawyer on your side ensures that you get the maximum amount available for your injuries.
What Damages Can I Recover for Vertigo After a Car Accident?
This is a difficult question to answer without knowing the specifics of your case. Every automobile accident lawsuit is different. The amount of money you could receive will depend on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, how long they lasted, and who was at fault for the accident. However, after a car accident, you can usually recover:
- medical expenses, including bills related to physical therapy and medications
- lost wages
- pain and suffering
Contact Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci Today for a Free Consultation
If you are experiencing vertigo from a car accident, contact Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci for a free consultation about your legal rights and options for compensation.
The Virginia Trial Firm has a history of success in traumatic brain injury cases, and we have obtained substantial verdicts for our clients. We will fight to obtain damages that cover medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle repair costs, physical therapy bills, and much more.
