Head Injury After an Accident and When to Get Care

In the Milton area, with busy roads like the Route 16 and Coastal Highway seeing heavy traffic, car crashes are an unfortunate part of life.

An accident can leave you feeling shaken and unsure of what to do. One moment you're driving along, and the next, you're dealing with the aftermath of a collision.

Your first instinct might be to check for obvious vehicle damage or visible injuries like cuts and bruises. However, one of the most critical and often overlooked consequences of a crash is a head injury. These injuries don't always show immediate, dramatic signs.

Understanding the symptoms of a head injury and knowing when to seek prompt medical care is essential for your long-term health and well-being.

Immediate Symptoms to Watch For After a Crash

The first few hours after an accident are crucial. Your body's adrenaline might hide how you're really feeling. If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or someone else, it's time to get to an emergency room right away.

• Losing consciousness: Even for a second, blacking out is a big deal.
• Headache that won't quit: A headache that gets worse instead of better is a major red flag.
• Vomiting or feeling sick: This can signal dangerous pressure building in your skull.
• Confusion or slurred speech: Not being able to think straight or talk clearly means your brain is in distress.
• Seizures: Uncontrolled shaking is a medical emergency.

What to Look For Days Later

Not every head injury presents itself at the scene of the accident. It's common for symptoms of a concussion or other forms of brain trauma to develop hours or even days later. Even if you felt fine initially, it’s vital to monitor your health closely for at least 24 to 48 hours after any collision, no matter how minor it seemed.

Keep an eye out for these delayed signs:

• A nagging headache or neck pain: It's a dull ache that just hangs around.
• Dizziness or balance issues: Feeling wobbly or like the room is spinning.
• Feeling drained: More than just tired, it’s an extreme lack of energy.
• Sensitivity to light or noise: When normal sights and sounds feel overwhelming.
• Vision changes: Things look blurry or seeing double.
• Moodiness: Feeling unusually irritable, anxious, or sad.

These symptoms might seem small, but they're your body's way of telling you to get checked out. Don’t ignore them.

Why Seeking Care at Bayhealth Total Care Is Your Best Choice

When it comes to a potential head injury, you should not take any chances.

At Bayhealth Total Care’s Emergency and Urgent Care Center, we’re equipped with the advanced diagnostic tools and experienced medical staff needed to properly assess and manage traumatic brain injuries.

Every patient at our ER and urgent care walk-in clinic is seen by an ER-trained physician at every visit, regardless of the level of care they need. Our approach makes care more affordable by avoiding the higher cost of the emergency room if patients only require urgent care services. Our ER and urgent care clinic is open 24/7.

Bayhealth Total Care’s Emergency and Urgent Care Center is located at 18383 Hudson Road, Milton, DE 19968.