Having a car accident can have far greater ramifications than the initial shock factor.
However, high on the list of most common physical injuries suffered are to the neck.
In fact, 80,000 neck injuries are reported each year due to car accidents. Given the range of potential problems resulting from the various forms of neck pain, it really does pay to take seriously any car accident neck injury that you may suspect yourself to have.
But if you or a loved one has been in a car accident, no matter how mild, what kind of injuries to the neck could result from a car accident, and what should be your next steps?
Keep on reading to find out.
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Neck Injuries: What You Need to Know
Whiplash is perhaps the most common car accident neck injury. For all their safety measures, it is difficult for car companies to find a way to protect this vulnerable part of our bodies.
Whiplash results from the unexpected pressure put onto our necks from impact, leading to torn ligaments and connective tissue damage.
As discomfort in this area is common, many choose to ignore the pain and discomfort from whiplash. Don’t make that mistake. Whiplash can lead to chronic pain. Therefore if you note discomfort only in this area after your accident, do not ignore it and get professional healthcare assistance.
Other types of car accident neck injury include neck strain, muscle spasms, and slipped or ruptured discs.
What then are the signs of car accident neck injury that you should look out for?
They include:
- Dizziness and headaches
- Stiffness
- Tingling sensations in limbs
- Pain that spreads to the shoulders and beyond
What Should I Do Legally?
The first thing to note after suffering a car accident neck injury is that no matter how small the impact was, you need to seek professional help, both medical and legal.
As mentioned previously, a car accident neck injury can be viewed as something you should put up with. However, this is not the case. Insurance companies are covered for situations just like yours. If you were to put up with any discomfort without seeking compensation, you could be missing out on money that you are more than entitled to.
Given the fragility of the neck area, if you decide to seek a car accident neck injury settlement, your first port of call should be to get medical advice from a back and neck specialist. Their professional opinion will hold far more weight in court than a standard general practitioner.
Next, you want to get legal advice from top professionals such as Sweet Lawyers in LA that will be able to take your case and inform you of every potential avenue available to you for compensation.
Bear in mind that there is no such thing as an average settlement for car accident back and neck injury. Factors like recovery time, the severity of your injuries, and more will have a bearing on any payout received should you win. Yet, you could also be compensated for the loss of earnings, travel expenses (to and from treatment), medical costs, your insurance excess, and more.
All the more reason to make that phone call and find out what you are entitled to.
Make Your Car Accident Neck Injury Work for You
The trauma of a car accident is something that no one should have to grin and bear. If you have a constant reminder, such as a car accident neck injury, then be sure to do yourself a service and fully investigate your options.
We hope that this post was of use to you! If it was, check out the other great advice you can find on our site.