Car accidents are part of life, but that doesn't mean you can't recover from them and seek compensation when they happen. When you suspect a neck injury, we suggest that you see a doctor, receive treatment, and consult with a lawyer. A personal injury attorney will leave no stone unturned to fetch you the fairest compensation possible for your neck pain after a car accident. 

Do You Have Neck Pain from Your Car Accident?

A car accident can put your whole body in harm's way, but some parts are simply more vulnerable, like your neck. Because it is unrestrained at the moment of impact, it can jerk in any direction, causing tremendous strain on the muscles, tendons, and other anatomical muscles that support it. One thing to remember about neck injuries is that they don't always show up right away, especially if you are running on adrenaline after the accident. You should see a doctor right after an accident, even if you think you're feeling fine.

Signs and Symptoms of Neck Injuries

While several types of neck injuries are associated with car accidents, they come with common signs and symptoms, including:

• Neck stiffness
• Neck pain that travels down the shoulders, arms, and hands
• Tingling, numbness, or weakness in the upper extremities
• Headache
• Vertigo
• Dizziness

Types of Neck Injuries

The following are common types of neck injuries sustained in a car accident:

• Whiplash occurs when your head and neck jerk forward on impact, then quickly whip back to their original position. Rear-end collisions are common culprits for this injury.
• Soft Tissue Damage causes pain, muscle spasms, restricted movement, and an uncomfortable combination of tenderness and stiffness around your neck and shoulders.
• Pinched Nerves: When the impact from your car crash is high, it could force your spinal discs out of position and pinch the nerves of your spinal cord. This causes pain, weakness, tingling, or a complete numbing from your neck to your fingers.
• A Neck Fracture is one of the most severe neck injuries. Besides being extremely painful, it can lead to paralysis when the spinal cord is injured due to medically unassisted movements.
• Facet Joint Injury: In your cervical spine, facet joints work by stabilizing your head and neck movements. But after a high-impact collision, they can inflame and lose function, become painful, and limit movement
• Cuts: A crash can send sharp objects flying like broken glass and other debris. These objects can hit your neck and cause lacerations that injure underlying tendons and ligaments. 

Potential Complications of Post-Accident Neck Pain

Any neck injury can lead to long-term complications; for example, misdiagnosed whiplash can cause associated disorders that may continue for years after an accident. These can include chronic neck and back pain, constant headaches, cognitive issues like memory loss, and mental disorders like anxiety and depression. As a result, you may have problems with your day-to-day activities like concentrating at work, going to the gym, and even sleeping. With timely treatment, these complications can well be avoided or reduced.

Claiming Damages

The amount you receive as damages for your neck injury will be a total of the money you paid for your medical treatment and property damage, plus any losses that resulted from your injuries. In particular, your damages should cover:

• Medical expenses (hospital bills, ER services, prescriptions, medical or rehabilitative devices such as crutches, therapy, treatment-related transport costs)
• Lost income and reduced ability to earn
• Pain and suffering
• Car repair or replacement costs

Liability in a Car Accident

Car accident liability rests on the specifics of your accident and the laws in the state where it occurred. Usually, the driver who committed the error will pay for the other's losses. However, in some states, the no-fault doctrine applies, where every party is allowed to collect payment from their own insurance companies up to a certain amount. If their costs exceed this cap, they can sue the at-fault driver for damages. Comparative and contributory negligence doctrines can impact liability in an auto accident too. In a comparative negligence state, your contribution to the accident, in percentage, will be taken from your total damages. 

Reach Out to Dolman Law Group for Legal Help After a Car Accident

A lawyer can be indispensable in seeking car accident damages. From investigating the accident scene to determining liability to negotiating with insurance companies, especially when taking your case to court, you don't want to trust anyone but a legal professional. After all, healing from your neck injuries requires time and rest. Contact Dolman Law Group today. We can help you with your car accident claim, starting with a free consultation.