Neck Pain Following A Car Accident: Causes and Common Injuries Forbes

Whiplash-related neck injuries and neck pain are common following accidents, however, they can be challenging to prove in a personal injury lawsuit. This article explains what you need to do if you’re experiencing neck pain after a vehicle accident and the best way to prove the cause and signs of your injuries to ensure the full and fair compensation of your expenses.

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Neck Pain Following an Auto Accident: The Signs and Causes

“Whiplash” is a term used to describe “whiplash” is often used to describe the spectrum of neck injuries caused by severe and violent snapping and jerking similar to breaking a whip. But, prior to claiming whiplash in the event of a car crash you should consult an attorney for personal injuries to avoid this phrase, since it has become associated with fraudulent or exaggerated personal injuries.

Whiplash-related injuries can be dealt with by their technical names, for example, hyperextension or hyperflexion, myofascial injury, neck strain or strain cervical strain or sprain and many more.

What causes neck pain following an Auto Accident

The force of collisions could expose your neck and head to sudden and fast motions, particularly when the body is encased by a seat belt, which could cause your neck to take most of the sharp force. Rear-end collisions are the most likely to cause neck injuries.

In addition, when you are aware that there is a chance for an accident to happen, your body’s natural reaction could be to tighten muscles. This can increase the likelihood of injury. This can be caused by muscle strain or injury to ligaments, muscles discs, nerves bones, joints, or tendons in your neck.

It is possible that you will also experience neck discomfort or injury as a result of flying debris that has landed inside the vehicle or from outside.

It is essential that you seek out medical assistance promptly after a car crash. If neck pain isn’t assessed or treated with a doctor or licensed professional it could lead to more injuries and/or chronic neck pain.

Neck injuries and symptoms following an Auto Accident

Neck pain following an accident could begin immediately or may develop during the first few hours or days after the collision. An injury to the neck could be noticed immediately or be more apparent over the course of weeks or months following.

The symptoms could include:

  • The neck is stiff and painful.
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Vision blurred
  • Shoulder, arm , or back stiffness or pain
  • Prickling, burning, or burning in the neck, shoulders or arms

The most severe neck and whiplash injuries could also be classified as follows:

  • Neck pain that is severe
  • Limitation of motion range
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Fatigue
  • It is difficult to concentrate
  • Memory loss
  • Mental and emotional problems

The injuries you sustain could be more severe or cause more complications if you are waiting too long to seek treatment, have suffered from whiplash in the past, suffer from lower back neck or neck pain, or when they result of a collision with high speed.

Common Neck Injuries Following an Auto Accident

Neck pain can be the symptom of a variety of neck injuries that happen in collisions with cars. This could include:

  • Neck strain or strain
  • Herniated or slipped discs within the cervical spine
  • Pinched nerve(s)
  • Tendons and muscles that are stiff
  • The neck may be fractured or compressed
  • Injury to the facet joint
  • Lacerations and cuts (both superficial and deep cutsthat could cause damage to ligaments and tendons)

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Affirming Neck Pain after an Auto Accident

Because soft tissue injuries don’t generally be detected in diagnostic tests, x-rays or scans for neck discomfort as well as whiplash-related injuries are challenging to establish. But, it is crucial for your claim to establish it is related to the incident to be able to claim the full and fair compensation you deserve for the losses resulting from accidents.

See a doctor for neck pain after a car crash

After a car crash immediately following a car accident, seek medical attentionparticularly if you’re suffering from neck pain or signs of injury.

A doctor will assess the severity of your injuries. They could employ X-rays, CT scans, or MRI to look for injured soft tissues that might not be visible on the outside. They will also be able to monitor the signs of an injury that causes a concussion or neck dysfunction.

An examination by a doctor is essential for treating any injuries you might suffer and to identify those that may get worse with inadequate care. But, getting a precise and precise diagnosis of the neck injury is crucial evidence in any claim related to injuries you file with an insurance adjuster, or in the course of a personal lawsuit for injury. The creation of thorough medical records that demonstrate the kind and the extent of the medical treatment that you received following the accident can help support your claim for compensation for your injury-related losses.

How to deal with neck pain after a car Accident

After your police report has been submitted and you’ve had your medical assessed, you might think about the filing of a personal injury claim through the adjusters for insurance.

Get Legal Representation

Before making any statements on the record, it’s recommended to get legal counsel and guidance from a knowledgeable and skilled personal injury lawyer. They can assess the details of your case and negotiate with insurance companies and protect your rights as a legal person throughout the legal process and also advocate for you to completely and completely recover the losses that result from an accident.

Create an insurance claim for Personal Injury or a Lawsuit

You might be able to negotiate a settlement with the adjusters from insurance, as well as a personal injury lawyer will ensure that a settlement is fair and comprehensive before you agree to the terms. If you believe that the opposing side is digging their backs into their own and is delaying your claim(s) or claims, you could choose to file an injury lawsuit.

Each state has its statute of limitations, which determines the period of time for filing a lawsuit based on the nature as well as the date and time of accident. If you’re not sure about your state’s statute of limitations and the date you have to file your lawsuit for car accidents or claim, your attorney will be able to make an assessment based on the particular facts of your situation.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


Should I go to the ER for neck pain after a car accident?

It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident to address and scope the extent of your physical injuries. If you are experiencing injury or pain in the head, neck or abdomen, it’s a sign to go to the ER.


How can whiplash be proven?

Document any and all losses as a result of the car accident, and be ready to provide medical bills and medical records to an insurance adjuster or attorney. You’ll need a clear and complete diagnosis of your whiplash-type injury, as well as a scope of the recommended medical treatment, including any chronic or long-term care. A personal injury lawyer can explain the steps to prove you have experienced whiplash and have a fair damage claim.


Is it worth suing for whiplash after a car accident?

Many car accident lawsuits settle with the insurance companies before either party sues. However, if a complete settlement cannot be reached by all parties or your state’s statute of limitations to file a lawsuit is approaching before a full and final resolution, it may be worth suing for whiplash resulting from a car accident.