Neck Injuries
Neck injuries can be painful, frustrating, and life-changing. Regardless of how they happen, they can seriously impact your daily life. Some injuries heal on their own with a little bit of rest, but others could lead to lifelong complications that need ongoing medical care.
If you’ve suffered a neck injury in an accident that was caused by negligence, you may be able to collect compensation. Knowing the different types of injuries, their symptoms, and your legal options makes it easier to move forward.
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Common Types of Neck Injuries
A neck injury could involve anything from a mild muscle strain to severe damage to the spinal cord. The type of injury you experience depends on how the accident happened and how much force was behind the impact.
Some injuries that are seen most frequently include:
- Whiplash: The neck is forcefully jerked back and forth — whiplash most often happens in rear-end car accidents but can occur in almost any situation.
- Herniated Disc: The discs in your spine cushion the space between vertebrae; if a disc slips out of place or ruptures, it can press on the nerves.
- Neck Fractures: A break in the cervical vertebrae can be serious and even life-threatening; this is most often seen in high-impact crashes or falls.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains and strains affect the ligaments and muscles in the neck; they can cause a lot of pain and limit movement but often heal with a little rest and TLC.
- Spinal Cord Trauma: If the spine is damaged in an accident, it can lead to partial or even complete paralysis.
No matter how bad your injury is, it’s best to have a doctor take a look at it. What might seem like a minor strain today could turn into something much more serious tomorrow.
Symptoms of a Neck Injury
You’ll become aware of most neck trauma immediately. However, some injuries take hours or even days to appear.
If you’ve been in an accident and are concerned you may have hurt your neck, watch for:
- Headaches, especially at the base of the skull
- Limited range of motion
- Persistent pain or stiffness
- Muscle spasms
- Tingling or numbness in your arms or hands
- Dizziness or trouble concentrating
If you ignore the symptoms or wait too long to get treatment, the situation will have a chance to get worse. A doctor will diagnose your injury, suggest a treatment plan, and document your condition. This will be important later if you decide to file a legal claim.
How a Neck Injury Affects Your Life
Minor neck trauma might be an inconvenience for only a day or two, but a serious neck injury can interfere with your ability to work, drive, or even do simple daily tasks. You might have to rely on others for help, and frequent doctor visits will add up, leaving you struggling with medical bills.
Additionally, while some people completely recover, others are left to deal with chronic pain and other long-term complications. Besides the physical impact, the accident can take a toll on your mental health. Pain and restricted movement often lead to frustration, anxiety, or even depression. When the injury wasn’t your fault, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed.
Can You Seek Compensation for a Neck Injury?
If someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior led to your injury, you shouldn’t have to bear the costs alone.
You might be able to pursue compensation for:
- Medical costs (hospital stays, physical therapy, rehab, surgery, medication, long-term care)
- Lost wages if you had to miss work
- Diminished earning capacity if you can’t return to work in the same capacity or at all
- Pain and suffering because of the physical and emotional toll of your injury
To have a strong case, you need to be able to prove that the other person’s negligence directly caused your injury. It can be tough to do without legal help, and that’s where a personal injury law firm comes in.
How a Lawyer Can Help
Insurance companies don’t play fair. They’ll often downplay the severity of your injuries, delay your claim, or send a lowball settlement offer that won’t cover all of your needs. A personal injury attorney will level the playing field and help you fight for your rights so you can go after the compensation you deserve.
Your lawyer will:
- Investigate the accident
- Collect strong evidence
- Calculate the full cost of your injuries (including future expenses)
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Argue your case in court if necessary
With strong legal counsel on your side, you don’t have to face the battle alone.
Get the Legal Help You Deserve Today
If you’ve suffered a neck injury in an accident, you deserve justice. Contact Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation about your case at (212) 514-5007. We can take the legal stress off your shoulders so you can focus on your recovery.
