Experiencing nausea or vomiting after a car crash is common but sometimes it may be a sign of a serious medical condition, such as concussion or internal injury. It is important to seek medical attention promptly to protect your health. Injuries like these are dangerous if left untreated, and in the worst cases can be life-threatening.
Below we discuss some possible reasons for nausea and vomiting following a car accident, which could range from traumatic brain injuries to internal damage. Consulting with a lawyer at the right time is key to ensuring you receive appropriate medical care and fair compensation for your injuries.
Injured by the negligence of another driver? At Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn, our experienced car accident lawyers in Fort Worth are prepared to help. We offer a free legal consultation to discuss the details of your situation and determine if you may have legal options. If we represent you, there are no upfront costs to pay.
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Why Do I Feel Nauseous After a Crash?
The human body may often respond to traumatic events with nausea. This may only be the aftermath of the body’s flight-or-fight response or other emotional stress. However, sometimes nausea, especially when accompanied by vomiting and other symptoms, could indicate internal injuries.
Internal injuries that may cause post-accident nausea and vomiting often arise from:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries and Concussions: Severe head injuries can disrupt the brain’s normal functioning, causing nausea and vomiting as the body responds to the trauma. These and other symptoms may develop immediately or appear gradually over several hours.
- Whiplash and Cervical Spine Injuries: Injuries to the neck’s delicate structures can irritate nerves and disrupt your body’s system that controls balance, commonly causing waves of nausea and disorientation.
- Internal Organ Damage and Bleeding: These injuries are especially serious, which may have other accompanying symptoms, such as abdominal pain and shortness of breath, require immediate medical attention.
- Inner Ear Damage: Can cause severe vertigo, dizziness and associated nausea that may persist for days or weeks after the accident.
- Post-Traumatic Stress and Anxiety: Nausea can be an emotional response to the crash, but this type of nausea should be short-lived.
- Chest Trauma and Rib Injuries: Injuries to the chest area, especially to the diaphragm or surrounding tissues could cause victims to feel nauseous.
When Should I Seek Immediate Medical Attention?
Early medical intervention can improve recovery outcomes by identifying non-apparent injuries before they worsen. This gives caretakers time to establish a care procedure, the right treatment and guidance to help patients heal properly.
While brief nausea might be expected after an accident, certain symptoms demand immediate emergency care:
- Persistent vomiting lasting more than a few hours
- Blood in vomit
- Severe headache accompanying nausea
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion or disorientation
- Blurred or double vision
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Dizziness that will not subside
- Sensitivity to light or sound
What Serious Conditions Cause Nausea After a Car Accident?
Post-accident nausea is not only an inconvenience but can be a signal of serious underlying medical issues that, if left untreated, can cause significant health issues. Taking these symptoms seriously and seeking medical help can greatly impact your recovery and overall health.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
The brain plays a crucial role in maintaining balance, any damage to the brain could result in nausea. Even mild traumatic brain injuries require prompt medical attention. It is important to note that symptoms may not appear immediately and can develop hours or even days after the injury.
Concussion
A type of mild TBI often causes nausea and vomiting. Without proper treatment, these symptoms can linger for days or weeks. It is vital a medical professional evaluate head injuries as a concussion could be a sign of a serious medical complication.
Internal Bleeding
Nausea can sometimes point to internal bleeding or damage to organs. Injuries to the stomach, liver, or other abdominal organs may occur during impact. If you suspect you have internal bleeding, seek immediate emergency treatment.
Post-Concussion Syndrome
Some individuals experience ongoing symptoms, including persistent nausea, weeks or months after the initial injury. This condition can impact daily life and may require specialized care
Why Should I Seek Medical Care Immediately After a Car Accident?
The most important reason for seeking medical attention right after a crash is to protect your health. Internal injuries, especially, can put your health at risk if not quickly treated.
In addition to prioritizing your health, your emergency room or follow-up medical appointment creates important medical records documenting your visit. This documentation includes what diagnostic tests were done, what injuries the doctor diagnoses, your plan of care and more. It also tracks the dates of these appointments. All of that information can be used to link your injuries to the crash that caused them, strengthening your case.
What If My Nausea Is Left Untreated?
Ignoring post-accident nausea might can lead to a range of serious consequences that may impact various aspects of your life.
- Chronic pain conditions
- Ongoing balance issues
- Persistent headaches
- Anxiety and depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbances
- Reduced quality of life
- Career limitations
Should I Contact a Lawyer?
It is important to seek legal representation if you find yourself in any of the following situations:
- Symptoms Persist: If your nausea or other symptoms persist for several days, it could be a sign of a serious condition. In such cases, seeking legal advice it is important to understand your rights and pursue any potential claims related to the issue.
- Accumulating Medical Bills: Medical care are costly; an attorney can help you understand your rights and how to track your expenses for evidence in a claim.
- Insurance Companies Minimizing Your Claim: In the event an insurance company tries to minimize your injuries or offers an inadequate settlement, legal representation can help you negotiate a better claim and inform you of your rights to compensation.
- Work Capacity Affected: Should your symptoms affect your ability to work, an attorney can help you seek compensation for lost wages and protect your employment status.
- Multiple Parties May Be Liable: Determining liability in an accident involving several parties could be difficult. An attorney can help determine liability and ensure all responsible parties are held accountable.
- Fault Disputed: When there is a dispute over who caused the accident, legal representation can help gather evidence and advocate for your case.
Contact Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn for Legal Answers
If you are experiencing nausea or vomiting after a Fort Worth car crash or facing other challenges with your claim, seek medical attention right away. After your injuries have been stabilized, we recommend seeking legal help.
At Anderson Cummings & Drawhorn, our highly qualified legal team helps injured victims every day, including those with internal crash injuries. We have extensive knowledge of the law and a history of securing favorable outcomes for our clients. Deadlines apply, however, so it is important to contact us sooner, rather than later. We offer a free consultation where you can get answer to your questions and learn if you may have legal options.
Call Our Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyers Today: (817) 920-9000