Whiplash & Neck Injury

The neck is a very delicate part of the body.

It’s home to many nerves, bones, soft tissue, arteries, and more that can easily be injured in the event of an accident. 

Even a relatively minor neck injury can have a huge impact on a person’s life, making it difficult to live your life as you normally would. 

Causes of neck injuries

Neck injuries can happen to anyone. People can experience neck pain for a wide range of reasons, and most people do experience at least a mild degree of neck pain at some point in their lives, even if it’s for something as simple as sleeping in an uncomfortable position. However, far too many people suffer from neck pain as the result of a neck injury caused by an accident through negligence or the behavior of another. 

Common types of neck injuries

Whiplash

Whiplash is a type of neck injury that occurs when a force causes a person’s head to rapidly move in one direction, then sharply in the opposite direction. When this happens, the head can be forced to move beyond its usual range of motion and damage soft tissues in the neck. Sometimes, whiplash is referred to as neck sprain or neck strain. According to the IIHS, neck sprains and strains are the most frequently reported type of injuries in U.S. insurance claims. 

Rear-end car accidents are a very common cause of whiplash, but any type of car crash can result in whiplash. A crash doesn’t even need to happen at a particularly high rate of speed for whiplash to occur. Whiplash has been known to be caused by crashes that happen at 5-10 MPH. 

Signs of whiplash typically begin to appear within 24 hours of an accident, but in some cases, it may be a few days before symptoms become evident. In severe cases, a person can suffer from chronic whiplash, which is when whiplash pain lasts longer than six months. In one study by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 15%-40% of patients with acute neck pain following a car crash go on to develop chronic neck pain. 

Facet joint injuries

Facet joints play a vital role in supporting the spine by helping people move without overextending. Accidents can cause injuries to facet joints throughout the spine, but when facet joint injuries occur in the neck and upper back, they can cause headaches, muscle spasms, and/or pain in the neck, shoulders, upper back, and lower back. 

Brachial plexus injuries

In some cases, an accident can cause damage to the brachial plexus, which is a network of nerves that extends from the neck, through the shoulders, and into the arms. The nerves in the brachial plexus control movement and sensation in the hands, fingers, elbows, arms, and wrists. If an accident forces the head away from the head and neck away from one of the shoulders, it can damage the nerves, resulting in a brachial plexus injury. 

The effects of a brachial plexus injury can vary depending on the severity of the injury, but when brachial plexus injuries happen to adults, they very often need surgical treatment. 

Neck fractures

The neck consists of seven cervical vertebrae and when a person has been in an accident or something like a car accident or slip and fall accident, it’s very easy for these vertebrae to get fractured. The severity of a neck fracture can depend on things like where the fracture occurs in the neck, the angle of the impact, and the nature of the accident. Often, neck fractures that also involve a cervical dislocation tend to be the most serious. 

Cervical dislocation

A cervical dislocation occurs when two discs in the cervical section of the spine separate and get moved out of their natural positions, injuring ligaments in the neck. It’s an injury that can occur on its own, but it often also occurs in conjunction with a neck fracture. In mild cases, a dislocation may be able to be treated by wearing a neck brace and the person can recover on their own, but more severe cases may require surgery. 

Damages in a neck injury claim

Neck injuries can significantly impact your life in many different ways. When making a claim for damages related to a neck injury, some types of damages you can collect for include:

• Medical expenses, including future medical care
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Physical therapy and occupational therapy
• In-home assistance
• Diminished quality of life

Contact a Los Angeles neck injury attorney

If your neck injury was caused by a traumatic accident, don’t hesitate to contact a neck injury attorney. At The Wallace Firm, PC, you’ll be able to speak to an experienced neck injury attorney who has helped many people in the Los Angeles area who have been in the same situation as you. Contact us today to get started. 

If your neck injury was caused by a traumatic accident, don’t hesitate to contact a neck injury attorney for help. Insurance companies have a vested interest in trying to pay out as little money as possible, not doing what’s right for you. At The Wallace Firm, our neck injury attorneys are ready to fight to help you to get all the compensation you need to recover. We’re in it to help you win. Contact us today for help with your claim.