Common Neck Injuries In Car Accidents

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Written by Auto Accident Team

Last Updated: November 25, 2024

A routine drive can quickly become a nightmare when a car accident results in a neck injury. Common injuries such as whiplash, herniated discs, and cervical fractures can cause significant pain as well as emotional and financial stress. After an auto accident, victims can feel overwhelmed with trying to recover from their injuries while dealing with mounting medical bills and pressure from the at fault driver’s insurance company to settle.

Thankfully, an experienced car accident injury attorney can guide you through the legal process, ensuring you receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related expenses.

At the Auto Accident Team, we are committed to connecting you with the legal support you need to recover the maximum compensation available for your injuries and other losses. We partner with seasoned attorneys who excel in communication, negotiation, litigation, and achieving the best possible outcomes for their clients.

When you work with us, you can have peace of mind that a member of our network of attorneys will fight aggressively to protect your rights and interests.

Common Types of Neck Injuries After a Car Accident

After a car accident, many victims experience neck injuries that range in severity from mild to life-altering. Some of the most common injuries that impact victims include the following:

Whiplash

Whiplash is the most common type of accident-related neck injury and occurs when the impact of a collision causes the head to snap forward and backward, tearing muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck.

This can also damage facet joints and intervertebral discs, leading to costly and painful injuries. Rear end auto accidents are usually the main cause of whiplash injuries. The term whiplash is also known as a cervical neck sprain. It is important to seek immediate treatment for this type of injury as it can reduce your quality of life and cause other issues in the future.

Sprains and Strains

Neck sprains or strains are a type of soft tissue damage that affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments. A neck sprain occurs in the ligaments within the neck, whereas a neck strain involves the muscles and tendons in the neck. Strains have three levels of severity or commonly called “grades”.

Grade One is a mild strain resulting from a partial tear.

Grade Two is a medium strain where some of the tendons or muscle fibers are torn.

Lastly, Grade Three strains occur when there is a complete tear which can cause extreme levels of pain and discomfort.

Symptoms from neck sprains and strains may consist of:

  • Neck stiffness
  • Neck muscle spasms
  • Numbness or tingling sensations
  • Issues with breathing, chewing, or swallowing
  • Headaches

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, it is critical to seek medical attention as soon as possible to address your injuries

Spinal Disc Injuries

Intervertebral discs are gel-like cushions between the spine’s vertebrae. A collision can displace these discs, causing a slipped disc. In severe cases, the disc’s exterior can rupture, allowing the soft interior to leak into the spinal canal, potentially pinching a nerve and causing severe pain.

Types of disc injuries resulting from a car accident:

  • Herniated disc injuries occur when the compression pressure from the accident is too much for the discs to absorb. This causes injuries to the disc exterior resulting in pressure on the nerves. This pressure results in numbness, varying levels of pain, and if not treated, herniated disc injuries could have lifelong impacts.
  • Spinal stenosis can occur during a car crash, when the impact creates a narrowing of the designed spaces in the spine. These spaces are needed to ensure that the spinal cord and nerves are pressured or pinched, which can lead to fatigue in the arms in the legs, differing levels of pain, numbness, and even bowel or bladder issues.
  • Spondylolisthesis happens in certain types of auto accidents, when the impact creates enough pressure on the discs to force them to  move out of place. Most accident victims with this injury will experience lower back pain that can impact their ability to bend over, reduce their tolerance for standing or walking over longer durations, and even cause fatigue and tingling feelings in their feet.

Consulting with an experienced medical professional is essential to diagnose your injuries and prevent them from progressing.

Pinched Nerves

A pinched nerve happens when the structures of the cervical spine shift or swell, pressing on spinal nerves. This compression can disrupt the nerve’s ability to process pain signals, leading to paresthesia, which is a tingling, burning, numbness, or shooting pain.

Neck Fractures

A cervical fracture occurs when one of the neck’s seven vertebrae breaks or cracks. This injury can cause immense pain and restrict motion. In severe cases, it can damage the spinal cord and lead to paralysis.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord, a column of essential nerves and soft tissue protected by vertebrae, can be injured if a vertebra breaks or the neck or back receives a direct blow. Such injuries are severe and can result in paralysis.

Types of injuries that can occur with severe spinal cord injuries include:

  • Paraplegia
  • Quadriplegia
  • Permanent nerve damage

Spinal cord injuries can be life-altering and expensive to treat, making it essential to contact a member of our attorney network to discuss your legal options

When Should You See a Doctor After a Car Accident?

After a collision, it’s crucial to be aware of symptoms that may indicate a neck injury. These symptoms can range from minor discomfort to severe pain, and they might not appear immediately. In fact, delayed neck pain after a car accident is quite common, with symptoms emerging days or even weeks later.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, it’s essential to seek medical care as soon as possible:

  • Throbbing neck pain
  • Blurred vision 
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Muscle spasms in the neck
  • Memory problems
  • Difficulty sleeping and focusing
  • Stiffness or heaviness in your neck or head
  • Pain or difficulty when looking up or down
  • Numbness or tingling in your arms
  • Inability to turn your neck from side to side
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Shooting pains
  • Tenderness in your neck or the back of your skull
  • Chills or fever
  • Pain radiating to your back or shoulders
  • Mood changes such as anxiety, irritability, or depression

Recognizing these symptoms and seeking prompt medical attention can help prevent further complications and ensure you receive the appropriate care for your recovery.

Discuss Your Car Accident Case With The Auto Accident Team

Recovering from a neck injury after a car accident can be a complex and stressful process. At the Auto Accident Team, we understand the challenges you face and are here to make things easier. 

Our service connects you with top-notch attorneys who have extensive experience in personal injury cases. These professionals will provide a free evaluation of your accident claim and work diligently to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. With our no-win, no-fee policy, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal matters.

Call us today at (877) 236-2391 or complete our online contact form to learn more about how we can help you.

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