The Seriousness Of Neck Pain After A Car Accident
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, including various neck injuries. Unlike more obvious injuries like broken bones, neck pain does not always surface immediately following the accident. The symptoms of serious neck injuries sometimes surface or become worse in the days following the crash. Neck pain after a car accident should always be evaluated by a medical professional, as it could be a sign of a serious condition like whiplash. Failure to seek treatment could lead to preventable long-term issues.
If you are suffering from neck pain or another car accident injury, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. If the accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. To learn more about your legal rights after a car accident, contact the Tennessee car accident lawyers of Labrum Law at (615) 338-9500.
Common Neck Injuries in Car Accidents
Car accidents are one of the primary causes of neck injuries in the United States, and neck injuries are among the most common types of car accident injuries. According to a study by Transportation Safety and Environment, there are over 800,000 neck injuries suffered in car accidents in the United States each year. In addition, neck injuries account for 90 percent of rear-end collision injuries. These injuries vary in severity - from relatively minor pain that may heal on its own to permanently disabling or paralyzing neck injuries.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when the neck moves back and forth quickly and forcefully. This injury is most commonly caused by rear-end collisions but can happen any time this fast and forceful movement occurs, such as a fall or a sports injury. Whiplash severity ranges from relatively mild cases that may heal within a few weeks with pain medication and exercise, to severe cases that cause chronic neck pain and other lifelong disabilities. High-speed collisions have been linked to more severe cases of whiplash.
Anyone who experiences neck pain after a car accident or another physically traumatic event should contact their doctor immediately. A fast and accurate diagnosis is paramount, as is a prompt start to treatment. Additionally, the doctor will need to determine if the pain is a symptom of another injury, such as a fracture.
Fractures
Neck fractures are another common car accident neck injury. Most severe cases involve cervical dislocation, which can cause the spine to become unstable. Severe dislocation also commonly accompanies neck fractures, which may cause the cervical bone to become displaced and cause subsequent ligament ruptures. The type and severity of a cervical fracture are often affected by the angle of the collision.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are among the most severe car accident neck injuries, as they frequently leave the victim permanently disabled. These injuries are also often fatal. If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury or another type of injury in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, you can learn more about your family's legal options by contacting Labrum Law.
Symptoms of Neck Injuries
There are various common types of neck pain after a car accident, along with other symptoms that could signify a serious neck injury:
- Pain concentrated in the neck
- Neck pain that spreads to the back or shoulders
- Stiffness and trouble moving the neck or head
- Headaches
- Feelings of nausea and dizziness
- Fevers and chills
- A tender feeling in the neck or back of thehead
- Unusual fatigue
- Memory problems
- Neck muscle spasms
- Numbness and tingling sensations in the arms
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
These symptoms should always be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible. It is also generally a good idea to meet with a doctor following a car accident even without symptoms, as you may have suffered an injury that is now showing symptoms yet.
Treatment For Neck Injuries After a Car Accident
Medical treatment should be sought immediately if you are experiencing neck pain after a car accident, as allowing it to go untreated could cause long-term complications. A doctor can prescribe pain medication and provide you with a treatment plan that will help you recover from your injuries.
Additionally, documented medical treatment will be key when seeking financial compensation for your injuries. Whether filing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit, people who have been injured in car accidents must show proof of the injuries they have suffered. A lack of documentation could lead to difficulties recovering full financial compensation for car accident injuries and related damages.
When Can You Sue For a Car Accident Neck Injury?
If you have suffered a neck injury in a car accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for damages related to your injuries. Filing a car insurance claim is usually the first step in this process. However, the damages you may recover in an insurance claim are limited. Due to the serious nature of many neck injuries, the amount offered by an insurance provider may be insufficient.
If the accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, the victim may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit against that driver and their insurer. Tennessee is a “fault” insurance state, which means that you can sue an at-fault driver and their insurance provider for car accident injuries. The Tennessee Department of Revenue requires all drivers in the state to have auto insurance or another form of financial responsibility in the event of an accident.
Contact Our Tennessee Car Accident Lawyers
Neck injuries suffered in car accidents often require expensive medical care and cause serious disruptions to daily life. Fortunately, financial compensation is available for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to car accident injuries. However, recovering this financial compensation is not always easy. Insurance companies often look for ways to limit payouts, and the personal injury lawsuit process is complex. This is why many people seek legal guidance following a car accident injury. If you are experiencing neck pain after a car accident or another type of injury, Labrum Law is here to help. Contact our Tennessee car accident lawyers today at (615) 338-9500 to learn more about how to recover financial compensation after a car accident.
