If you are experiencing neck pain, you may wonder, ‘How do I know if my neck injury is serious?’ The most definitive way to determine whether your neck injury is serious is to have a doctor examine it. If you have pain, stiffness, or any other issues with your head, neck, or back after an accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible. You can obtain medical assistance from your family doctor, an emergency department doctor, or any other physician.
People with serious neck and back problems after a car accident may also seek compensation for their injuries. Petro Cohen, P.C., can help. We represent people injured in New Jersey accidents and fight for the compensation they deserve. Contact us today.
How to Know If a Neck Injury Is Serious
Most neck sprain or strain symptoms will resolve in several weeks. However, severe injuries may take longer to heal completely. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience these signs of a serious neck injury:
- The pain is consistent, meaning you feel it all the time;
- The pain is persistent, meaning it does not go away or lessen over time;
- You have severe pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter medication;
- You experience pain that shoots down the arms and legs;
- A headache accompanies your pain; or
- You experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms and legs.
A doctor’s diagnosis and treatment will answer your question, ‘How do I know if my neck injury is serious?’ Plus, if another person’s negligence caused your injury, getting medical documentation from a doctor is critical. Get an assessment of your neck injury from a qualified medical professional immediately.
Types of Serious Neck Injuries
Neck injuries vary widely. Neck injuries can be relatively mild, debilitating, or deadly. A qualified medical professional will explain how to know if a neck injury is serious. But in some instances, determining whether a neck injury is serious is obvious.
For example, a broken neck with spinal cord damage is one of the most severe neck injuries. This type of injury will have immediate and significant symptoms, including extreme pain and possibly paralysis. With this type of injury, you will know you have a severe injury as soon as it happens.
Some common neck injuries diagnosed after an accident include:
- Severe or mild localized neck pain
- Neck stiffness and restricted movement
- Pain spreading from the neck to shoulders or arms
- Swelling and visible bruising
- Tenderness when touching the neck area
- Reduced sensation in arms, legs, or body
- Muscle weakness or paralysis in arms or legs
- Breathing difficulties
This list is not exhaustive. Only a medical professional can diagnose your injury.
Symptoms of Neck Injuries
Neck injury symptoms can occur immediately after an accident or may take longer to develop. Immediate, severe symptoms can indicate a serious condition, but this is not always the case. Some symptoms of neck injuries include the following:
- Inflammation and swelling in the neck,
- Headache,
- Neck, back, or shoulder pain,
- Difficulty focusing your eyes,
- Vertigo,
- Numbness or a burning feeling in your limbs,
- A limited range of motion in your neck, and
- A sagging feeling in one arm.
The only way to know whether a neck injury is serious is by getting evaluated by a medical professional.
Seek immediate medical attention for neck pain that is persistent, severe, unrelieved by over-the-counter medication, or accompanied by radiating pain down the arms or legs.
Accidents That Frequently Cause Serious Neck Injuries
The neck is a particularly vulnerable part of the body. Even an accident that strikes the lower body can leave the victim with a neck injury. Thus, serious or less serious accidents may cause serious neck injuries.
Some types of accidents that may cause serious neck injuries include:
- Motor vehicle accidents,
- Construction accidents,
- Workplace accidents,
- Bicycle accidents,
- Slip-and-fall accidents,
- Medical malpractice,
- Motorcycle accidents,
- Pedestrian accidents, and
- Sports accidents.
You may be eligible to receive compensation depending on the cause of your neck injury.
Compensation to Pay for Your Medical Assessment and Care
Severe neck injuries may result from accidents in which someone’s negligence plays a significant role. If negligence caused your neck injury, you might be able to receive compensation for the following:
- Medical and rehabilitation costs,
- Lost income, present and future,
- Property damage or loss,
- Replacement services,
- Alterations to make your home accessible,
- Pain and suffering,
- Permanent disability, and
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
A personal injury attorney in South Jersey can explain your legal right to compensation.
Contact Our Office for Your Neck Injury Case
When you have a neck injury, the last thing you want to do is navigate a legal claim. Fortunately, Petro Cohen, P.C., can explain your legal rights and fight for fair compensation for your injuries. If you suffered a neck injury due to someone’s negligence, contact us today.
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