Approximately five million people seek medical attention in the United States each year for car accident injuries. Many of these injuries are neck injuries. Science Direct reports 869,000 hospital visits for car accident cervical spine injuries in the United States annually.

If you have neck pain following a car accident, it’s important to understand common causes and treatment options.

Jordan Law Center’s Greenville car accident lawyer discusses car accident neck pain and why you should never ignore it.

Why Neck Pain Following a Car Accident Shouldn’t Be Ignored

Neck pain following a car accident may be a sign of serious injury. Failing to stabilize a neck injury may cause additional trauma. A neck injury may affect other areas of the body, such as radiating pain through the arms and shoulders.

Sometimes, careful treatment of neck injuries can prevent chronic pain. In some cases, stiffness and limited mobility can be mitigated with care.

The neck contains the windpipe, major arteries, and the spinal cord. It supports the skull and brain. Humans don’t have much protection in the neck, although cervical bones can protect the spinal column. Because the neck is flexible, it is vulnerable to injury.

Eight Common Car Accident Neck Injuries

1. Whiplash

A car accident involves the sudden loss of speed or kinetic energy. This sudden deceleration can cause the neck to be hyperextended beyond its natural flexibility. Hyperextension can cause pulled neck muscles, strained ligaments, and torn tendons. Whiplash can be painful and slow to heal. It can also limit movement and cause discomfort.

2. Ruptured disc

Discs between vertebrae provide cushioning and support. Sudden force or pressure on a disc can cause a tear. The inner, jelly-like center of the disc pushes through the tough, outer layer. A slipped disc may cause local or radiating pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness.

3. Vertebrae fracture

There are seven vertebrae in the neck that comprise the cervical spine. A car accident may cause the vertebrae to break or fracture. A person with osteoporosis may be especially vulnerable to a cervical fracture due to a car accident.

Cervical fractures vary in severity. Some can be treated with stabilization and rest, while others may require surgery. A vertebral fracture in the neck can be life-threatening. Immediate measures to prevent additional injury and minimize spinal cord damage may be critical.

4. Lacerations

The neck may suffer lacerations from a car accident. The neck contains critical circulatory system components, including the internal and external jugular veins, common carotid artery, internal carotid artery, and external carotid artery. Sharp objects, glass, or penetrating injury can cause neck lacerations that threaten these vital bodily systems.

5. Spinal cord injury

The spinal cord sends signals between the brain and the body. Spinal cord injury can disrupt this communication. The result may be pain, weakness, and limited movement. In addition to impaired voluntary muscle movement, spinal cord damage can cause breathing and excretory system dysfunction.

Spinal cord injury may include radiculopathy, or pinched nerves. Paresthesia and muscle spasms frequently occur together as a result of nerve damage.

6. Spinal stenosis

A car accident may cause the spinal cord to narrow. Spinal stenosis may result from trauma that compresses the spine, such as a ruptured disc, vertebral fracture, or dislocation. Symptoms may be similar to nerve damage, including pain and muscle weakness. Bladder and bowel control may also be affected.

7. Tracheobronchial injury

Tracheobronchial injury is damage to the windpipe and bronchi. Injury can interrupt breathing or cause noisy breathing. A person may cough up blood or experience swelling of the surrounding tissue. The skin may appear a bluish color due to low oxygen levels.

8. Sprains and strains

A car accident can strain and sprain the ligaments and tendons of the neck. The person may experience pain and a limited range of motion.

Common Causes of Car Accident Neck Pain

Car accident neck pain results from the neck being subject to forces beyond what it can withstand. Hyperextension extends the neck backward. Hyperflexion pushes the neck forward.

Common factors in car accident neck pain include:

• Strong force and high speed at impact
• Force throwing the neck in an unusual sideways motion
• Being struck with a sharp object or broken glass
• Head rest design or positioning, seat belt function, and positioning
• Vehicle design and safety features, design flaws, or feature malfunctions
• Secondary complications like fire or a vehicle rolling over
• A person’s physical condition and preexisting conditions
• Deployment of airbags
• Road design

Neck injury and pain may result from a combination of factors in a car accident.

Symptoms To Watch for After a Crash

Signs of a neck injury can be delayed for days after a crash. Pain may increase over time, while mobility decreases. A person may experience numbness, tingling, and radiating pain. Muscle spasm may occur.

Neck injury, including spinal cord injury and nerve damage, can show symptoms in other parts of the body. Breathing and excretory functions may be impacted. Prompt treatment can prevent further harm.

Treatment Options for Car Accident Neck Pain

The appropriate treatment for car accident neck pain depends on the injury. Options may include:

• Surgery, including laminectomy, laminotomy, laminoplasty, and spinal fusion
• Rest, immobilization, hot and cold compressions
• Physical therapy, gradual return to activity
• Pain management with over-the-counter and prescription medications, muscle relaxants, and anti-seizure medication
• Steroid shots, injections for pain
• Chiropractic care, acupuncture, and massage

Care should be managed by qualified healthcare professionals.

How long does neck pain last after a car accident?

When neck pain is the result of soft tissue damage, pain may heal in several weeks. Rest and therapy may speed recovery. Sometimes, neck pain can be chronic or permanent.

How a Greenville Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

If you have neck pain from a car accident, you may qualify to receive compensation.

A Greenville car accident lawyer can help you prove your case, determine the case value, and verify your damages. They can represent you to pursue compensation.

Contact

Jordan Law Center represents people who suffer neck injuries after a car accident. Whether your injuries are common or uncommon, you deserve fair compensation. Call 864-808-1810 or message us now to talk to a lawyer and get help with your claim.