Head Injury After a Crash: When to Seek Care in Maumee

Introduction

Car accidents happen suddenly, leaving you shaken and unsure of what to do. In Northwest Ohio, where major routes like I-475, the Ohio Turnpike (I-80/90) and US-24 see thousands of commuters and commercial vehicles daily, collisions are an unfortunate reality.

While it’s natural to focus on visible damage to your vehicle or obvious physical injuries, it is critical to also watch for signs of a head injury. These are among the most serious and frequently overlooked outcomes of a crash.

Knowing the symptoms of a head injury and seeking prompt medical attention can make a significant difference in protecting your long-term health.

Immediate Warning Signs After an Accident

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Lucas County consistently ranks among the top counties for traffic crashes, with thousands of incidents reported annually.

The initial hours following a head injury are the most critical. The symptoms below may point to a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that requires immediate medical evaluation:

• Loss of consciousness: Even a brief blackout is a major warning sign that should never be ignored.
• Seizures or convulsions: This includes any uncontrolled shaking, twitching or muscle spasms.
• Repeated vomiting or persistent nausea: These symptoms can signal dangerous pressure building inside the skull.
• Slurred speech or confusion: Difficulty forming words, speaking clearly or understanding what others are saying is a red flag.
• Worsening headache: A headache that intensifies over time or does not respond to over-the-counter pain relievers requires urgent attention.
• Unequal pupil size: One pupil appearing larger than the other can indicate significant brain trauma.

These signs demand an immediate trip to an emergency room. Acting quickly can prevent more severe damage and is the first step toward a safe recovery.

What to Look for in the Hours and Days After

Not all symptoms of a head injury appear right away. It is common for signs of a concussion or other forms of brain trauma to surface hours or even days after the initial impact. Even if

you felt fine at the accident scene, you must monitor your health closely for the next 24 to 48 hours.

The busy roadways around Maumee, Toledo and Perrysburg, combined with daily commutes, increase the risk of accidents. If you have been involved in any type of collision, be vigilant for these delayed symptoms:

• Persistent headache or neck pain: A dull, constant ache that doesn’t improve with standard pain medication.
• Dizziness or problems with balance: Feeling unsteady, lightheaded or as if the room is spinning (vertigo).
• Sensitivity to light or noise: Finding bright lights or loud sounds to be overwhelming or painful.
• Changes in vision: Experiencing blurry vision, double vision or trouble focusing your eyes.
• Memory problems or difficulty concentrating: Forgetting conversations or struggling to focus on tasks.

While these symptoms might seem minor at first, they should never be dismissed.

The brain is a delicate organ, and even a seemingly minor jolt can cause it to strike the inside of the skull, leading to bruising, swelling or bleeding. Without a proper medical evaluation, there is no way to know the extent of the damage.

Delaying care can lead to long-term complications, including chronic headaches, memory issues and post-concussion syndrome, which can impact your quality of life for months or even years.

Your Best Choice for Care in Maumee

By recognizing the symptoms—both immediate and delayed—and seeking timely care, you can protect yourself from serious, long-term complications.

At ProMedica Toledo Hospital Emergency and Urgent Care in Maumee, you don’t have to guess where to go. We are equipped to handle any level of injury, with both an emergency department and an urgent care clinic under one roof.

Staff are ER-trained to determine patient conditions, and patients only pay for the level of service they receive - either ER or urgent care. The emergency department is open 24/7. The urgent care clinic is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. You don’t need an appointment -all walk-ins are welcome.

ProMedica Toledo Hospital Emergency and Urgent Care is located at 1075 Medical Center Parkway, Maumee, OH 43537.