Vertigo After Car Accident

Car accidents can result in many physical injuries, many of which are immediately apparent. However, some effects, like vertigo, may not present until hours, days, or weeks later. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 2 million people are injured in car accidents every year in the United States. [1]

Many of these individuals experience post-accident symptoms that are difficult to diagnose, with vertigo being one of the most disorienting and challenging. Experiencing vertigo after a car accident can lead to persistent dizziness, nausea, and other complications that severely affect daily life.

Understanding the causes, symptoms, and legal remedies available to victims of car accidents who suffer from vertigo is crucial for recovery.

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a condition characterized by a sensation of spinning, swaying, or dizziness, even when you are still. It is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, difficulty maintaining balance, and, in severe cases, visual disturbances.

Vertigo after a car crash can be particularly distressing because it impacts one’s ability to stand or move without the fear of falling or losing coordination. Unlike simple dizziness, which might pass quickly, vertigo can last minutes, hours, or even longer, often signaling an underlying medical issue.

Types of Vertigo

Vertigo comes in several forms, each linked to different causes or underlying conditions. One of the most common types is benign proximal positional vertigo (BPPV), which occurs when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged, disrupting the balance system.

Other types of vertigo include vestibular neuritis (vestibular vertigo), an inflammation of the inner ear nerve, and Meniere’s disease, a disorder characterized by fluid buildup in the inner ear. Regardless of the type, vertigo after a car accident often stems from trauma to the head, neck, or inner ear.

How Car Accidents Lead to Vertigo

Vertigo is a common symptom that can develop after a car crash. The sudden force and trauma experienced during a motor vehicle accident can affect various parts of the body, leading to balance and dizziness issues. Injuries to the neck, brain, or inner ear—critical components of the body’s balance system—can result in vertigo.

Whether it’s due to neck pain, head trauma, or damage to the vestibular system, understanding the different ways in which a car accident can lead to vertigo is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Neck Pain

One of the primary causes of vertigo after a car accident is a neck injury, including a whiplash injury. This type of vertigo is often called cervical vertigo and is associated with injuries to the neck or spine.

During car accidents, especially rear-end collisions, the neck may experience a rapid, forceful movement known as whiplash. This injury can damage or strain the cervical spine, leading to neck pain and dizziness. Cervical vertigo can develop when the brain receives conflicting signals about balance from the neck and other body parts.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Vertigo can also be an early indicator of a traumatic brain injury, which frequently occurs in severe car accidents. Traumatic brain injuries can result from a direct impact to the head or from the brain jolting inside the skull during the auto accident.

Even without immediate outward symptoms, a brain injury can disrupt the brain’s ability to process balance information, leading to vertigo. Victims of car accidents should be aware that vertigo symptoms might signal more severe underlying brain injuries and should seek prompt medical evaluation.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

The inner ear plays a crucial role in maintaining balance through the vestibular system. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) can occur following a car accident when trauma to the head or body dislodges tiny crystals in the inner ear.

These crystals can affect the balance system, causing episodes of vertigo when the head is moved in certain positions. Although BPPV is considered “benign,” it can still cause significant discomfort and difficulty with daily tasks due to episodes of severe dizziness.

Diagnosing Vertigo after a Car Accident

Diagnosing vertigo following a car accident requires immediate medical attention and specialized tests to identify the underlying cause and ensure appropriate treatment for recovery.

Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and for preventing further complications. Comprehensive assessments, including imaging scans and balance tests, help doctors understand the severity of the injury, develop a tailored treatment plan, and provide essential documentation if legal action is pursued for compensation.

Medical Evaluation

Car accident victims must seek a thorough medical evaluation after an automobile accident, even if they initially feel fine. Many symptoms, including vertigo, may not emerge until after the body’s adrenaline has worn off.

An early medical assessment can help identify signs of trauma to the neck, head, or inner ear that might be contributing to vertigo. Failing to seek medical treatment immediately can complicate health recovery and legal compensation claims.

Diagnostic Tests

Healthcare providers may employ several specialized tests to diagnose vertigo. One standard test is the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, which involves specific head movements to trigger vertigo and identify positional triggers.

Other diagnostic tests include electronystagmography (ENG), which tracks eye movements to assess balance-related issues, and imaging scans such as MRI or CT scans to rule out structural problems, including brain injury. These diagnostic tools are critical in determining the cause of vertigo after a car accident and ruling out more severe injuries.

Treatment Options for Vertigo

Treating vertigo after a car accident involves various approaches, including medications to reduce dizziness and nausea, specialized therapy such as vestibular rehabilitation, and sometimes lifestyle changes like stress management and modifying activities.

These treatments aim to manage symptoms, improve balance, and restore overall daily function, allowing individuals to regain their quality of life and independence after an accident.

Medications

Various medications can help manage vertigo symptoms. Antihistamines, such as meclizine, can reduce dizziness, while antiemetics may be prescribed to control nausea and vomiting. In more severe cases, benzodiazepines can help calm the nervous system and reduce the intensity of vertigo attacks.

However, these medications often target the symptoms rather than addressing the underlying cause, so they are usually part of a broader treatment plan.

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)

For patients experiencing long-term vertigo, vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a specialized form of physical therapy designed to help retrain the brain to compensate for balance issues.

VRT typically involves exercises that improve coordination, eye movement, and posture, gradually reducing severe dizziness and improving balance. Many car accident victims benefit from this therapy, especially when other treatments have proven ineffective.

Other Treatments

Other treatments may be necessary depending on the cause of vertigo. For example, surgical intervention might be required in rare cases involving structural damage in the inner ear or brain.

Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding specific head movements or managing stress, may also help reduce vertigo episodes. A healthcare provider can offer personalized advice and physical therapy based on the individual’s diagnosis.

Impact of Vertigo on Daily Life

The effects of vertigo after a car accident can extend far beyond the initial discomfort. Vertigo can make even simple tasks, such as walking, driving, or working, incredibly challenging. Many individuals with vertigo find that their quality of life diminishes due to persistent symptoms.

The inability to drive safely can lead to isolation, as it limits social activities and independence. Furthermore, the unpredictability of vertigo attacks can cause anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, compounding the difficulties experienced by accident victims.

Legal Options After a Car Accident Vertigo

When vertigo occurs after a car accident, it can lead to significant medical costs, lost income, and long-term discomfort. Understanding your legal options is crucial for seeking compensation to cover these expenses. Establishing a link between the accident and vertigo and proving the extent of your damages can be complex.

Pursuing a legal claim can help recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and the overall impact on your life. Working with an experienced auto accident lawyer ensures that your case is handled effectively and your rights are protected.

Proving Causation

One of the most critical aspects of seeking compensation for car accident injuries like vertigo is proving the accident directly caused the condition. Insurance companies often attempt to argue that vertigo is due to pre-existing conditions, unrelated health issues, or natural aging processes.

However, medical documentation from doctors and specialists can help establish a clear link between car accidents and the onset of vertigo. Car accident victims must retain all medical records, diagnostic test results, and treatment plans to support their case.

Seeking Compensation

Vertigo after a car accident can lead to significant expenses. Victims may be entitled to compensation for medical treatment, including doctor visits, diagnostic tests, medications, and rehabilitation therapy costs.

Additionally, vertigo can result in lost wages, as it often affects an individual’s ability to work or perform their job duties effectively. Beyond medical costs and lost income, victims can seek compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life. Legal support is essential to ensure all these damages are accounted for in a claim.

Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Navigating the legal process following a car accident can be daunting, especially while dealing with the debilitating effects of vertigo. A personal injury lawyer with experience in car accident injuries can help guide victims through this challenging time. Attorneys can collect evidence, including medical records and expert testimony, to build a strong case.

Secure Expert Legal Representation

If you are experiencing vertigo after a car accident, seeking medical attention immediately to diagnose and treat your symptoms is crucial. Vertigo can significantly affect your daily life, including your ability to work and enjoy activities, so timely medical treatment is essential for your health and well-being.

In addition to medical care, securing legal advice is equally important. A skilled Chicago personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of proving that your vertigo was caused by the accident and not by other factors.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers can assist in gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, and ensuring you receive fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers to help you get the compensation you deserve so you can focus on recovering your health and regaining your quality of life. Call (888) 424-5757 or fill out our contact form.

References: [1] NHTSA

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.