People who are involved in car accidents very often have neck pain following a crash. It’s important to treat all neck injuries with great caution given that the neck’s interconnected structure of bones, soft tissues and muscles is relatively fragile. In no way is it suited to stand up to the abrupt, powerful movements that accompany a car accident.
It’s important to note that neck pain might not exhibit itself until hours or days after an accident occurs. Even if you feel normal after a crash it’s a good idea to see a doctor so that any hidden car accident injuries can be treated as quickly as possible.
Common Symptoms Of Neck Pain
When someone is involved in an auto collision, the great force of an impact may force the head in one direction and then another, putting severe strain on the neck and possibly damaging the tissues. Commonly referred to as whiplash, this injury can be very serious. In addition to being quite painful, rehabbing such a condition must be done carefully so as to prevent additional damage.
Severe neck injuries resulting from car accidents might involve fractures to the vertebrae in the neck. These conditions are very clearly dangerous and have the potential to carry long-lasting, debilitating effects that can impair movement and overall functioning.
Given the seriousness of neck injuries, it’s important to get checked out by a physician upon experiencing symptoms that include:
- Pain. Whether sharp and concentrated or dull and throbbing, any type of neck pain may suggest a serious injury.
- Muscle spasms. Spasms in the neck are common following an accident.
- Limited range of motion. It may be difficult to move or rotate the neck. Such movements may only be possible with great pain.
- Headaches. The occurrence of headaches is a very common symptom of neck injuries.
- Weakness or numbness in the extremities. Given the neck’s important role in motor coordination, injuries to the neck can result in other parts of the body being affected, including the arms and legs.
Doctors or other medical professionals often use X-rays, MRIs, CAT scans and other diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the neck pain. Once doctors determine the cause, they can focus on treatment, which might include anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, physical therapy and other treatments.
Find Legal Help After Sustaining Injuries
If you have sustained a neck injury in a car accident, you may have mounting medical bills related to physical therapy, medications or even surgeries. In the event an injury has kept you from working, you may also have lost wages. Personal injury law allows you to pursue compensation for these and other damages you have sustained as a result of an accident.
An experienced lawyer will have had clients who suffered injuries similar to your own. In addition to possessing knowledge about personal injury law, an attorney will have access to investigative tools that can be useful in compiling evidence that shows another driver is responsible for your injuries.
Car accident injuries can be devastating. But nothing can hurt worse than losing a loved one. The death of a family member can be especially difficult if it resulted from a preventable car accident. Too often this is the case, fatal car accidents frequently being the result of recklessness or negligence.
Back injuries are among the most serious that a person can face. Car accidents very often lead to these injuries because the human body is not designed to withstand the extraordinary force created by collisions at high speeds. Even accidents that take place at relatively low speeds, however, can lead you to experience back pain.
Life After A Car Accident