Those who have been involved in a car accident usually suffer from neck pain. Although this type of pain may indicate you have mild whiplash, it could mean you have an underlying serious injury such as a spinal fracture or herniated disc. No matter how mild the pain or aches you may feel, you should see a doctor right after your crash. And once you start getting treatment, contact your idaho car accident attorney for help with your injury claim. Your attorney will make sure you get a fair settlement from the insurance company of the negligent driver or get a fair verdict from an injury in a trial.
Never Underestimate Your Neck Pain after a Crash
Whiplash develops when your neck and head move back and forth violently in a car crash. Such violent movement can damage the soft tissue of your neck, resulting in serious pain and swelling. If you have a whiplash injury, you may notice symptoms such as neck pain and stiffness, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and others.
Although whiplash may not be life-threatening or result in permanent damage, it can still cause significant pain that does not heal quickly. Thus, you should visit your doctor and file an injury claim if you believe you suffer from this injury. But, it is important to get a clear diagnosis since a lot of the symptoms of whiplash are also signs of another serious injury.
How Else Can You Get Neck Pain After a Vehicle Accident
A car accident can leave you with injuries in your head, spine, and shoulders, which can lead to neck pain. The following are specific injuries that can cause significant neck pain:
- Herniated discs. During a car accident, the contents of your disc can push against its hard exterior, leading to bulges and ruptures. Disch herniation in your neck can occur particularly if you were involved in a sideswipe. Your symptoms may include neck pain, arm weakness, shoulder numbness or tingling, and more.
- Cervical spondylolisthesis. This results from a dislocated vertebra. This can cause pain that radiates from the neck to the shoulder, pain in the back of your head, and arm pain, weakness, or numbness.
- Compression fractures. A high-impact car accident can fracture the sturdy bone of your spine, possibly shattering or compressing the vertebrae. Your doctor will evaluate whether you have a damaged spinal cord if they believe you have a spinal fracture. Your symptoms may include neck, back, and arm pain, as well as arm numbness and weakness.
