Whiplash is the most common car accident-related neck injury when vehicles are rear-ended. The neck gets forced back and forth – the motion is compared to the cracking of a whip. Since the rest of the body is usually restrained by a seat belt, the neck takes on all that force. Besides that, the body often tenses up before or during an accident. When that happens, the person’s bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles are impacted.
The neck is at risk during car accidents because of the lack of restraint and its inherent structure. It has small bones that are part of the spinal column. The body’s musculoskeletal system and small surrounding tissues support that and the skull. These can get stretched, torn, or strained in car accidents.
The symptoms of car accident neck injuries include:
- Chills
- Chronic pain
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headaches
- Memory problems
- Mood changes
- Stiffness in the neck and head
These vary depending on the individual and type of accident – other red flags include tenderness in the back of the skull, problems staying focused, tingling or numbness in the arms, and insomnia.
Common car accident neck injuries include:
- Cervical spondylolisthesis: Serious car accidents can cause vertebrae to dislocate or slip out of alignment.
- Facet joint injury: These joints are in the neck and help stabilize the head. They can get inflamed after a crash, and when that happens, it is hard to move these areas without pain.
- Muscle spasms: These can be located in the neck and other body parts after a collision. The muscles get tense or stretched, leading to swelling that affects the nerves they come into contact with.
- Pinched nerves: This happens when injured bones, tendons, tissues, or discs move and impinge on nearby nerves. This can lead to numbness, tingling, and severe pain.
- Slipped/herniated discs: The cervical spine contains intervertebral discs with a jelly-like substance for protection. These discs can slip, bulge, herniate, or even rupture in a car crash. This can cause significant neck pain and numbness.
Car accident survivors need immediate medical attention, even if they do not have any neck pain. The symptoms might not be evident until hours, days, or weeks after an accident.
Chester County Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Represent Clients With Neck Injuries
If you have a neck injury from a crash, you can find legal help at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. Our skilled Chester County car accident lawyers can fight for the compensation you deserve. Complete our online form or call 610-565-3701 to schedule an initial consultation. Located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, we serve clients in Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.