Car accidents are a common occurrence in the United States. Injuries from an accident can range from minor to catastrophic. Back and neck injuries are two of the most common injuries you can sustain in an automobile accident. An injury to your neck or back can be extremely painful and lead to permanent disability. Common back and neck injuries after a car accident can appear well after the initial impact and sometimes mask internal injuries.
Common Neck Injuries
A neck injury is one of the most common injuries in vehicle accidents. The neck is a highly vulnerable part of the body. Damage to the neck can lead to long-term health problems. A soft tissue injury is the most common neck injury in a car accident. Due to this, some issues do not appear immediately. This can leave you with more extensive damage.
Symptoms of Common Neck Injuries
Understanding neck injury symptoms is important so you can catch an injury early. Symptoms you may experience after a car accident that can indicate a neck injury include:
- Muscle spasms,
- Numbness,
- Headache,
- Jaw pain,
- Stiffness,
- Dizziness,
- Nausea, and
- Blurred vision.
Even if you do not have these symptoms, you should seek medical treatment after a car accident.
Common Neck Injuries After a Car Accident
Common neck injuries after an accident include:
- Whiplash,
- Slipped or ruptured disc,
- Neck sprains or strains,
- Pinched nerve,
- A neck fracture, and
- Neck compression.
Seeking immediate medical attention improves your chances of discovering hidden injuries. This also can help your case by creating a medical record connecting the injury to the accident date.
Common Back Injuries
Even a relatively minor car accident can cause back injuries. The back injuries can range from mild strains treatable at home to permanently disabling spinal cord injuries. In the United States, motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries. Like neck injuries, some back injuries may not be immediately apparent after a car accident.
Symptoms of Back Injuries
Some of the symptoms of back injuries due to a car accident include the following:
- Back pain,
- Pain that shoots down the lower half of the body,
- Numbness,
- Tingling,
- Stiffness,
- Muscle spasms,
- Loss of bladder or bowel control,
- Limb weakness, and
- Paralysis
These symptoms could indicate that you have a back injury. You should be aware of symptoms and seek medical attention immediately if you experience back pain following a car accident. Symptoms could indicate that you have a common back injury.
Common Back Injuries After a Car Accident
Some of the most common back injuries from a car accident include:
- Whiplash,
- Sprains and strains,
- Herniated disks,
- Bulging disks,
- Pinched nerves,
- Spinal fractures,
- Spinal cord injury, or
- Worsening of previous back injury.
A medical assessment can start you on the road to diagnosing and treating your back pain.
Compensation for Common Back and Neck Injuries After a Car Accident
Back and neck injuries can be among the most expensive injuries a person can sustain. If you hurt your back or neck in an accident, you might need hospitalization or surgery. The hospital bill could be astronomical. Then comes follow-up care, consultations with specialists, rehabilitative services, and other ongoing medical treatments that could last a lifetime. Add in lost wages, decreased future earning potential, and other work-related losses, and you could be out of a staggering amount of money.
If someone else’s negligence caused your back and neck injuries, you might be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses and damages for pain and suffering. However, calculating your damages, fighting with an insurance company, and figuring out how to file a lawsuit is time-consuming and complicated. A New Jersey personal injury law firm can help you fight for compensation so you can focus on healing.
Insurance Company Settlement Offers
Don’t surrender your rights and accept a low offer from an insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Insurance companies hope to settle cases quickly and for as little as possible. And, once your case settles, you can never reopen your claim. You have to get it right the first time.
Hire someone who can look out for your best interests. A New Jersey car accident lawyer can ensure you can pursue fair compensation for your injuries.