Last updated: October 21, 2026
The crash was two days ago, and you didn’t even hit your head. But a dull ache started at the base of your skull last night, and this morning it’s still there. You’re wondering if it’s just stress, or something you should get checked.
A headache after a car accident is common, and it can show up hours or days later. Most come from neck strain or a mild concussion, and many fade with time. But some are a sign of something serious. Here’s what causes them, which signs need emergency care, and how to protect your health and your claim in Washington.
The short answer: Crash headaches often come from whiplash, neck muscle strain, or a concussion, even if you didn’t hit your head. Symptoms can start hours or days later. Go to the emergency room for a headache that gets worse and won’t go away, repeated vomiting, slurred speech, or confusion. See a doctor soon either way, and keep records.
What causes a headache after a car accident?
The sudden jolt of a crash can strain your neck, irritate nerves, or shake your brain inside your skull. Doctors often trace crash headaches to whiplash, tight or injured muscles, or a concussion. More than one cause can be at work at once, so a doctor should look.
| Type | What’s behind it | Where people often feel it |
|---|---|---|
| Neck-related (cervicogenic) headache | Whiplash or a neck injury sends pain up into the head | Back of the head, often one side, worse when moving the neck |
| Muscle strain (myofascial) headache | Tight or injured neck and shoulder muscles | A band or pressure around the head |
| Concussion (post-traumatic) headache | A mild brain injury from the jolt, with or without a blow to the head | Varies. Often with dizziness, light sensitivity, or trouble focusing |
| Occipital neuralgia (nerve pain) | Irritated nerves at the base of the skull | Sharp or shooting pain from the neck up the back of the head |
Can you get a headache after a car accident if you didn’t hit your head?
Yes. Whiplash and neck strain don’t need a blow to the head, and a concussion can happen when your head snaps forward and back. That’s why “I didn’t hit my head” isn’t a reason to skip a checkup. Tell the doctor exactly how the crash happened and where it hurts, so your records show the link.
Neck and back pain often come with a crash headache. See delayed neck pain after a car accident and car accident back pain.
When is a headache after a crash an emergency?
Some signs mean you should go to the emergency room right away. The CDC lists a headache that gets worse and doesn’t go away, repeated vomiting, slurred speech, and weakness, numbness, or seizures. It also lists one pupil larger than the other, confusion or agitation, and passing out or being hard to wake.
- Go now for a headache that keeps getting worse.
- Go now if you vomit more than once.
- Go now for slurred speech, confusion, or unusual behavior.
- Go now for weakness, numbness, or a seizure.
- Go now if one pupil is bigger, or you can’t stay awake.
Source: CDC danger signs for adults, updated September 2025. In an emergency, call 911.
How long does a headache after a car accident last?
There’s no single answer. A headache from a mild neck strain may ease within days. A concussion headache can last longer, and the CDC notes some concussion symptoms don’t appear for hours or days. If your headache lasts more than a few days, keeps coming back, or gets worse, go back to your doctor and say so.
Write down when headaches start, how bad they are, and what helps. That log helps your doctor, and it helps your claim later. Read more about delayed injuries after a car accident.
What should you do about a constant headache after a crash?
Don’t wait it out. Go back to your doctor, say the headache hasn’t stopped, and ask whether you need a specialist or more tests. Keep a simple log so you can show the pattern. Tell your doctor about any new symptoms, like memory trouble, light sensitivity, or mood changes, because those can point to a concussion.
| Write down | Example | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Date and time it started | Mon, 7 a.m. | Shows how often headaches come |
| How bad, 1 to 10 | 6 | Shows whether it’s getting better or worse |
| Where it hurts | Back of head, right side | Helps your doctor find the cause |
| Other symptoms | Dizzy, bright light hurts | Can point to a concussion |
| What helped, and what you missed | Rest. Left work early. | Shows how the injury affects your life |
What is the treatment for a post-traumatic headache?
It depends on the cause, so the first step is a diagnosis. A doctor may order imaging if a brain injury is possible. Neck-related headaches are often treated with physical therapy. Concussion care usually starts with rest and a slow return to activity. Keep every appointment, because gaps in care hurt recovery and your claim.
If headaches come with memory problems, mood changes, or trouble concentrating, ask about a brain injury evaluation. See our Washington brain injury page.
Who pays for treatment of a crash headache?
Your own PIP coverage pays first, no matter who caused the crash. Washington insurers must offer at least $10,000 in PIP medical coverage. Your health insurance can help too. The at-fault driver’s insurer usually pays at the end, when your injury claim settles, and that can include what PIP already paid.
PIP minimums Washington insurers must offer
See how PIP works in Washington.
How do you protect a headache injury claim?
Headaches don’t show up on an X-ray, so insurers often doubt them. Your proof is your records: an early doctor visit, a clear diagnosis, steady treatment, and your headache log. Don’t tell the other driver’s insurer “I’m fine.” If you call us, we’ll look at your records and tell you where you stand.
- See a doctor early. Say how the crash happened and every place it hurts.
- Keep a headache log. Date, time, how bad, and what helped.
- Follow the treatment plan. Go to every visit and therapy session.
- Save every bill. Plus notes from work about missed days.
A concussion claim can be serious. One of our results: a car crash left our client with a brain injury. The case went to a jury. The jury awarded $1.55 million. Past results don’t guarantee future results. Every case is different.
You usually have three years to file a lawsuit (RCW 4.16.080). See how long it takes to settle a car accident.
FAQ
Can a headache after a car accident be a concussion?
Yes. Headache is one of the most common concussion symptoms, and a concussion can happen without hitting your head.
Can I claim for headaches if my scans are normal?
Yes. Many crash headaches don’t show on scans. A diagnosis, treatment records, and your headache log are the proof.
Can a headache start weeks after a crash?
New or returning headaches weeks later should still be checked. Tell your doctor about the crash so your records connect the two.
Can I sue for a crash headache?
Yes, if another driver caused the crash and the headache is part of your injury. In Washington, you usually have three years to file.
What does No Win, No Fee mean?
You pay nothing up front. Our fee comes out of the money we win for you. No hourly bills. No retainer. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. Not even the case costs.
Talk to Rich about your crash injuries
A crash headache can be the first sign of a bigger injury. If another driver caused your crash, call Rich Martin. He has handled more than 2,000 injury cases in 28 years and taken more than 30 to a jury. He was named to the National Association of Distinguished Counsel’s Nation’s Top One Percent in 2023 and 2024.
We help people in Bellevue, Seattle, Tacoma, and across Washington. Your case review is free. No Win, No Fee. We speak English and Korean.
Call (425) 635-2000 or see how we handle car accident cases.
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