It may surprise you to learn that neck pain often originates in areas other than the neck. Injuries to the head and upper back can result in muscular tightness in the neck or the pinching of nerves in the neck’s vertebrae. Neck injuries like whiplash are very common after automobile accidents, but every case is different. Whereas one person may heal quickly with no lasting effects, neck injuries can be debilitating and cause chronic pain.
Complications of Whiplash
Whiplash injuries, which are the most common injuries reported after car accidents, resulting in more than just neck pain. Complications from whiplash may include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears
- Difficulty concentrating
- Problems with the temporomandibular joint (jaw)
- Blurred vision
- Weakness, numbness, and tingling in arms and hands
These symptoms may not emerge until well after an accident. If you are now experiencing symptoms of whiplash after an automobile accident, do not hesitate to contact our Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys at Kelley/Uustal for legal representation.
Evaluation of Neck Injuries
Emergency medical responders will question you about what happened and about your general health and will carefully examine your neck and head. If a head injury is suspected, you may have to undergo CT or MRI scans to look for or rule out other types of injuries.
Treatment of Neck Injuries
Treatment of neck injuries depends on the specifics of the injury. If the spinal cord is injured, treatment will be different than if the soft tissues of the neck are injured. Whiplash, the most common neck injury following a car crash, is treated with the following:
- Over-the-counter pain medications
- The heat from heat wraps or heating pads
- Avoidance of lifting and sports activities
- Use of a soft foam collar around the neck for a day or two
- Physical therapy in some cases
Whiplash can take up to three months to heal, even if the pain goes away before then. Severe whiplash injuries may take six months or longer to heal.
Seeking Compensation in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Neck injuries should always be evaluated by a physician to rule out spinal damage, fractures, and brain injury. If your neck is injured in a car accident, seek medical help. Contacting a compassionate, experienced personal injury lawyer like those at Kelley/Uustal can help ensure that you get the medical care you are entitled to. Even neck injuries that heal on their own can result in high medical bills for diagnostic tests. Insurance companies try to pay as little as possible in these cases, but a competent lawyer can ensure that the liable party and their insurer are held responsible and compensate you fairly.
