Nausea after a car accident can be a red flag indicating that something is wrong. In fact, nausea accompanies many common injuries. It may appear when the accident first happens or days later. Despite any deviation on when it becomes apparent, it should be seen as an alert that needs to be checked out.
Whether it is a head injury or damage to internal organs, nausea after a car accident should always be seen as a warning, and one that left unheeded can spell disaster. Let’s look at some of the injuries that cause nausea, why you should always heed the warning and the consequences of ignoring it.
What Causes Nausea After a Car Accident?
Nausea is often a symptom of injury rather than the primary condition. Mentioning this at the time you are examined by a doctor or recognizing it yourself can be a life-saving maneuver. There are several reasons you might feel nausea the day after a car accident or soon after.
- Traumatic stress: The fear and anxiety caused by a car accident, even a minor fender-bender, can cause a physiologic reaction that results in nausea and vomiting.
- Shock: When a car accident victim experiences shock, nausea can be one of the symptoms. Trauma can occur due to serious injury or by low blood pressure when not enough blood is reaching the tissues and organs. In either case, shock is a serious symptom that requires immediate treatment.
- Abdominal trauma: An impact with the steering wheel or a seat belt after a high-intensity crash with another vehicle can cause bruising or damage to abdominal organs. This might result in bleeding or tearing of the organ, causing it to release its contents into the abdominal cavity. Both can cause nausea. Ignoring this warning sign can be life-threatening.
- Concussion: After a blow to the head, nausea can be a presenting symptom of concussion or a more serious brain injury. While transient, it is an important warning for both the patient and the doctor.
- Traumatic brain injury: Nausea, often accompanied by vomiting, can be seen with conditions where blood puts pressure on the brain. One common traumatic brain injury that causes nausea is a subdural hematoma. Depending on the size of the bleed, surgery may be required to release the pressure.
- Whiplash: Cervical (neck) strain and sprain, commonly called whiplash, can present with nausea. Since this condition is notorious for having a delayed symptom presentation, paying attention to signs such as nausea is important. Nausea is often one of the first symptoms to appear.
- Fractures: One of the most common accompanying signs of a broken bone is the sensation of nausea when the break occurs. Since even hairline fractures cause nausea, it is important to mention it to your doctor when he or she examines you. Sometimes, hairline fractures are not easily visualized on an X-ray.
Nausea the Day After a Car Accident? It May Take Longer
It’s important to know the legal consequences of delayed nausea symptoms. Nausea and other symptoms might not appear immediately after a car accident. In many cases, several days may pass. Even when this happens, it is important to seek medical care.
By ignoring the symptom, and in the case of nausea, attributing it to something else, a deeper medical issue may go unnoticed until it is too late. While it’s best to be evaluated right away, seeking medical care as soon as a symptom becomes apparent is legally and medically proactive.
Compensation for Headache & Nausea After a Car Accident
If you are experiencing nausea and similar symptoms or injuries as a result of a car accident, we can help. The Law Offices of David Azizi can provide you a free review of your important car accident nausea claim to help you achieve justice and fair compensation. For a trusted car accident lawyer, contact us online or call (800) 991-5292.
