Neck Injuries After a Car Accident
After a car accident, you could be suffering from a variety of injuries. Some of the most debilitating ones involve the neck. The pain may start immediately or it may take days or weeks to come about.
When you think of neck injuries, the most common one is whiplash. However, there are other types you might experience after a car crash. These injuries are caused by your neck suddenly jerking forward and backward due to the impact of a crash. With your body restrained by a seat belt, your neck takes the brunt of the force. A crash could also cause your neck to move from side to side forcefully.
Your neck is a complex structure made up of seven small bones, called the cervical vertebra. Between the bones are intervertebral discs. Facet joints connect the bones and allow you to move your head.
The neck bones are vulnerable and even a minor accident can cause serious injuries. You may experience a variety of symptoms, including pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, lack of focus, blurred vision, and even memory problems. Here are some common injuries to be aware of:
- Muscle spasms. Spasms are common car accident neck injury symptoms. Cramps may occur because your muscles tensed up or were overstretched. As a result, swelling and inflammation occur.
- Neck sprain or strain. A strain damages the facet joint, tendons, tissue that connects your bones to muscles, or injures your muscles. Sprains are torn ligaments, the soft tissue that connects bones to other bones.
- Cervical spondylolisthesis. The force of an accident may cause one or more of your vertebrae to slip out of alignment or dislocate. This can cause pain to radiate to the back of your head or shoulders.
- Pinched nerves. Many neck injuries can result in a pinched nerve. This is when tissues, bones, discs, or tendons shift out of place and rub against surrounding nerves.
- Facet joint injury. The facet joints in the neck also stabilize your head and neck. After a crash, your facet joints may get inflamed or irritated.
- Slipped or herniated disc. The intervertebral discs in your cervical spine are jelly-filled and absorb shock to protect your vertebrae. In a crash, the discs may slip, herniate, rupture, or bulge. This can cause pain or numbness.
- Neck fracture or compression. A fractured cervical spine, or a broken neck, is a serious injury requiring immediate medical care. Paralysis or death may occur from a broken neck.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Neck injuries can be painful and debilitating. It’s important to seek medical and legal help after a car accident.
A Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC can help you understand your legal rights and remedies after an injury crash. Schedule a consultation today by calling 281-347-3247 or filling out the online form.
Source:
alexanderorthopaedics.com/blog/common-neck-injuries-from-a-car-accident/
