Three Common Types of Neck Injury After an Automobile Accident

The forces involved in a car accident can be tremendous, and cause stress to the body in many different ways. Our necks are particularly vulnerable to injury in a crash, due to the way our bodies are built and the posture we assume while driving. Recent research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that over 2.4 million people were injured in automobile accidents last year, many of which may have suffered neck injuries.

Common Types of Neck Injuries

There are several types of neck injury that can happen as a result of a collision. You should always get a medical examination after a car accident, as you could suffer from one of the following:

• Whiplash. This is a common term with little medical meaning, but what it generally refers to is damage to the muscles, tendons, or ligaments of the neck. This damage is typically the result of fast backward-forward head motion, especially from a rear impact. Whiplash injuries can cause months or even years of pain.
• Pinched nerves. Bone, muscle, or other tissue can put pressure on a nerve, causing pain, tingling, or numbness in your arms or legs. Medication or surgery may be required to correct the issue.
• Herniated discs. In between the bones of your neck and spine are soft discs that protect the bones from one another. The force of impact can cause these pads of tissue to bulge, swell, and even tear. The damaged disc can put pressure on the spinal cord or other nearby nerves, causing excruciating and long-lasting pain.

Get Legal Help Now

If you’ve suffered any type of injury as a result of an automobile accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and other expenses. You should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer right away to discuss your case, as there is a statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits in the state of California. If you don’t file before the statute expires, you could lose out on your legal right to have your medical care paid for by the person responsible for your accident.

Steinberg Injury Lawyers has over three decades of experience handling automobile accident injury cases. We work hard to take care of our clients in their time of need so that they can get back to their lives. If you’d like to talk to us about your accident injury claim, call us any time for a free case evaluation at 800-989-6385.