Can a car accident cause vertigo? Whiplash, inner ear and neck injuries after a crash

Can a neck injury cause vertigo and blurry vision?

Yes. Whiplash injures neck joints, muscles and ligaments. The upper neck is rich in position sensors that help the brain coordinate the eyes, head and balance, so injury there can cause unsteadiness and visual disturbance alongside neck pain¹. Most people with whiplash improve, but a significant minority still report neck pain a year later².

Can a collision cause BPPV without hitting your head?

Yes. The jolt alone can shake crystals loose. Post-traumatic BPPV is more likely to involve both ears or several canals and can need more treatment sessions³. Brief spinning when you lie down, roll over or look up after an accident should be tested with infrared video goggles.

What does post-accident dizziness testing include?

In one 60-minute evaluation we test for BPPV with infrared video goggles, screen eye movements and concussion symptoms, examine the neck and measure balance on BioSway. Findings are documented objectively for your physician, attorney or case manager.

Where can I get whiplash and vertigo care in Cumming or Alpharetta?

We treat auto accident injuries at our Cumming and Alpharetta clinics for patients from Suwanee, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell and Forsyth County, with urgent appointments within 48 hours. See our auto accident and personal injury care page for how Letters of Protection and MedPay work.

Where can I get help in Alpharetta, Cumming and nearby?

Dr. Manan Patel, PT, DPT, TPS and our team of physical therapists see patients from Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell, Cumming, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Buford, Duluth and Forsyth County at two North Atlanta clinics. Every visit is 60 minutes, one-on-one, and urgent appointments are available within 48 hours. We are in-network with Traditional Medicare, BCBS / Anthem and Tricare, and offer a $129 rate per visit for self-pay and out-of-network plans. Not sure where to start? Take the free symptom self-check, or visit our Alpharetta clinic or Cumming clinic page.

Related care

Related questions

• How do objective vestibular tests document concussion and dizziness injuries in personal injury cases?Concussion, post-traumatic BPPV and neck-related dizziness rarely show up on CT or MRI, so cases often rest on…2 min read · Patient question
• Sciatica vs. piriformis syndrome: how do you get non-surgical relief for radiating leg pain?Sciatica means pain running down the leg along the sciatic nerve, most often from an irritated nerve root in the…2 min read · Patient question
• How can you stop radiating arm pain, numbness and tingling from a pinched nerve in the neck without surgery?Cervical radiculopathy is irritation of a nerve root in the neck, usually from a disc herniation or narrowing around…2 min read · Patient question
• All concussion, spine and pain questionsBrowse every question in this topic.

References

1. Reiley AS, et al. How to diagnose cervicogenic dizziness. Archives of Physiotherapy. 2017.
2. Carroll LJ, et al. Course and prognostic factors for neck pain in whiplash-associated disorders (WAD): results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Spine. 2008.
3. Bhattacharyya N, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (Update). Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2017.

Answered by Dr. Manan Patel, PT, DPT, TPSDoctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Vestibular Specialist and one of the few certified Therapeutic Pain Specialists in North Atlanta, with 15+ years of outpatient care. About Dr. Patel

This answer is general education, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an examination. If you have new or worsening symptoms, contact your doctor. Call 911 for sudden severe dizziness with trouble speaking, weakness, numbness, double vision or a severe headache.