Neck pain is one of the most common, persistent, and frustrating symptoms that victims experience after car accidents. The duration of the neck pain, as well as the nature and extent of the necessary treatments, can vary depending on the type and severity of the injury causing the pain. Many individuals experiencing neck pain after car accidents find their recovery complicated by struggles to secure appropriate, timely compensation for their medical bills and other expenses arising from the accident. A Mississippi car accident lawyer with Lott Law Firm may be able to offer you guidance regarding your next steps if you are trying to navigate the insurance claim process while working through after car accident neck pain. Call our office at (228) 215-2787 today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.
Skeletal vs. Soft Tissue Injuries After Car Accidents
The causes of neck pain after car accidents can be grouped into two very broad categories: skeletal injuries and soft tissue injuries. Each group can be subdivided into a set of narrower options.
Skeletal Injuries
Skeletal injuries to the neck after a car accident would include damage to the upper vertebrae, and the discs that separate them (these discs are often considered with the vertebrae they separate and “cushion,” even though the discs themselves are not composed of bony material). Less obviously, an injury to the jawbone or skull can sometimes also contribute to neck pain.
Skeletal injuries to the neck tend to be less common than those involving soft tissue. However, skeletal injuries such as fractured vertebrae and ruptured discs also tend to be associated with a protracted recovery period, and potentially long-term pain. If your medical professional advises you that your condition may need long-term management for pain or that you may be facing restrictions on neck mobility compared to your former range of motion, you may wish to take those harms into account as you calculate your claim for compensation.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries may cover flesh wounds that tear or puncture the skin, often damaging the muscles and tendons beneath, as well as stretches, tears, or strains to those muscles and connective tissues. Soft tissue injuries are by far the most common causes of neck pain after car accidents. Diagnoses of whiplash, in particular, are extremely common after certain types of collisions.
What About Spinal Cord Injuries?
Some people may be inclined to immediately think of spinal cord injuries when they hear of damage to the neck, especially if it involves injury to the spinal column itself. However, the spinal column protects the delicate nerves that make up the cord running through its (approximate) center. Injury to the spinal column can certainly endanger the spinal cord, and this possibility is one of the most important reasons why it is crucial to receive medical evaluation as soon as possible after a car accident. In many cases, however, the spinal column does its job in protecting the nerves within, even if the column itself receives a fracture.
In addition, spinal cord damage – as opposed to spinal column injury – is often associated with a disruption of nerve function elsewhere in the body. One of the reasons why a spinal cord injury at the neck level can be so devastating is that an injury at that height, depending on its severity, may cause impaired sensation and motor control, and even paralysis, from the point of the injury down through the entire body. The severity of potential outcomes is a major reason why first responders will often take steps to immobilize an accident victim’s neck before transport when there is any suspicion of neck injury – the immobilization is intended to prevent exacerbating any potential damage. Given the nature of the spinal cord’s function, however, its symptoms may not necessarily cause pain at the site of the actual injury.
Types of Car Accident Neck Injuries by Symptoms
Pain is often a valuable reporter of injury. Painful sensations by themselves, however, do not always clearly indicate the type of injury. If you are experiencing persistent neck pain after a car accident, you may find it helpful to review some of the pain symptoms most commonly reported by individuals suffering from after car accident neck pain, so that you can compare those symptoms to your own experience
Whiplash
Whiplash is among the most common types of soft tissue injuries resulting from car accidents, particularly those involving a rear-end collision. The condition occurs when the force of impact causes the head to be thrown sharply forward, then back. Neck pain caused by whiplash arises from the straining and inflammation of muscles and tendons that have been abruptly stretched during the sudden motion.
Symptoms the Mayo Clinic suggests many people experience from whiplash include:
- Decreased range of motion in neck or shoulders, or pain when attempting to use the full normal range of motion
- Tenderness (a sore or achy feeling) in the neck, or in the upper shoulders or back
- Abnormalities in the strength, sensation, or reflexes of your limbs, especially arms (and hands)
Altered sensation can also be a symptom of several other injuries that may need prompt attention, so it is important to follow up with a health care professional if your neck pain persists longer than expected after a car accident, or gets worse in the days or weeks following the crash.
Herniated Discs
Herniated, or “ruptured,” discs, can occur when the bony spinal column is subjected to impact pressures during a car accident, and educational resources available through the National Library of Medicine explain that herniated discs are common causes of neck pain in the adult population. The frequency with which herniated discs occur even without a triggering event, such as a car accident, can sometimes lead insurance companies to challenge the legitimacy of claims related to herniated disc neck pain. An evaluation by a medical professional as soon as possible after an accident can often help to establish a record, but a personal injury lawyer with Lott Law Firm may be able to help you determine what further kinds of medical evidence that could be helpful in demonstrating the validity of your claim.
Symptoms associated with herniated cervical discs, according to the Mayo Clinic, include:
- Numbness, or a tingling sensation, especially in the limb closest to the disc rupture
- Weakness in the part of the body served by nerves placed under pressure by the ruptured disc
- Sharp or burning pain in the shoulder or arm, usually on the side with the rupture
Herniated disc pain is frequently, but not always, associated with pain near the area of the disc itself. You may want to seek a medical evaluation if you experience these signs of a possible herniated disc, even if neck pain is not your primary symptom.
Steps To Take for After Car Accident Neck Pain
Getting a medical assessment as soon as possible after a car accident is generally recommended, for a number of reasons. However, if you are sent home without serious injuries and you find that neck pain persists, or new neck pain emerges, in the days to weeks following the crash, one of the first steps you should take is to seek another evaluation. Sometimes the signs of injury may not be immediately obvious in the aftermath of an accident, and it is important both to document possible injuries as evidence emerges and to ensure that you receive prompt, appropriate treatment.
Depending on the diagnosis, you may need to:
- Estimate the immediate and long-term costs of treatment, and include these in the computations for your car accident injury claim
- Speak with an attorney to discuss any potential challenges in dealing with the insurance adjuster handling your case
- Make adjustments to your working arrangements and your everyday tasks as you recover
The specifics, and the degree to which car accident neck pain is likely to impact your day-to-day lifestyle, can vary widely depending on the type and severity of the underlying injury.
Speak With a Mississippi Car Accident Lawyer
At Lott Law Firm, we are committed to helping victims of vehicle accidents get the compensation they deserve so that they can cover the costs of their missed work, medical treatments, and other expenses involved in their recovery. If you are experiencing after car accident neck pain, you may face a number of challenges in estimating the total costs your recovery may entail and presenting an accurate computation in your claim for car accident compensation. One of our Mississippi personal injury attorneys may be able to offer you perspective in a free consultation. Call (228) 215-2787 today to book yours.