Car accidents can be traumatic, and it is not uncommon for car accident victims to suffer from back and neck injuries following the crash.

If you suffer from neck injuries due to a car accident, first seek medical treatment. Then, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. It is important to have someone on your side who understands the law and can help you get through this difficult time. We will help you determine if you have the right to file an injury claim and guide you through the legal process.

Symptoms of Neck Injuries After a Car Accident

Symptoms of neck injuries include:

• Pain and stiffness in the neck
• Dizziness or headaches
• Numbness and tingling throughout your body caused by damage to the spinal cord
• Difficulty swallowing or speaking

If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to seek medical attention right away.

Delayed Symptoms of Neck Injuries After a Car Accident

Some symptoms of a car accident neck injury may not appear until a few weeks, days, or months after the accident. It is important to be aware of delayed symptoms because they can indicate serious damage has occurred in your body. Delayed symptoms include:

• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating due to pain and stiffness often occurs within the first few days after an accident
• Neck pain that gets worse over time
• Chronic headaches
• Ringing in the ears or tinnitus
• Depression or anxiety
• Pain that radiates into the arms
• Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, or fingers 

Common Neck Injuries After a Car Accident

Several different neck injuries can occur after a car accident, including:

Whiplash Associated Disorders

Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD) is a term used to describe a range of symptoms that can occur after you have suffered a whiplash injury.

Whiplash is when your head is jerked quickly forward and backward in a whip-like motion. This type of movement can cause damage to the soft tissues in your neck, resulting in pain and stiffness. If you have whiplash, you may also experience headaches or dizziness, numbness, and tingling throughout your body.

Soft Tissue Injuries

If you have suffered a neck injury in a car accident, there is a chance that soft tissue damage may occur. This injury happens when the muscles and ligaments around your spine are stretched or torn during an impact. It can lead to chronic pain, stiffness, back pain, muscle spasms, and headaches.

Slipped or Herniated Discs

A slipped or herniated disc often occurs after a back or neck injury. The discs between each vertebra act as shock absorbers for the spine. When the intervertebral discs in the cervical spine slip out of place between vertebrae, it causes a cervical disc herniation.

Neck Sprain or Strain

Neck strains occur when muscles become over stretched and torn due to sudden movement, whereas sprains involve ligaments on either side of the vertebrae being torn apart from one another.

Pinched Nerves

If a nerve is compressed or injured due to a car accident, you may experience tingling, numbness, and pain in the affected area. This condition is a pinched nerve and can be very painful and debilitating.

Facet Joint Injuries

The facet joints are the small, paired bones that connect each vertebra to its neighbor, causing intense pain and stiffness.

Neck Fracture or Compression

A neck fracture means one or more of the neck bones is broken or cracked. It can cause further damage to your spinal cord nerves, called a spinal cord injury.

Treatment for Neck Injuries After a Car Crash

Treatment for car crash injuries varies depending on the severity of your injury. Some common treatments for neck injuries include:

Physical Therapy – Helps improve your range of motion and flexibility and reduces pain and stiffness.

Medication – Your doctor may prescribe medication to help relieve pain and inflammation.

Surgery – Surgery may be necessary if the injury is severe or has caused damage to your spinal cord. In addition, your doctor may recommend surgery if they believe it will help you recover from an injury more quickly than other treatments.

Braces or Neck Collars – If you have suffered a neck injury in a car accident, your doctor may give you a brace or neck collar to help support your spine and reduce pain and inflammation. These devices are typically worn for a short period and help speed up the healing process.

To heal without complications, follow all instructions given by your doctor during this time.

Can You File a Lawsuit for Neck Injuries Caused by a Car Accident?

To determine whether you have a case, it is important to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer who can review the facts of your situation and advise you on your best course of action.

If you decide to file a lawsuit, your attorney will help you gather evidence to support your claim and negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company for fair compensation.

What Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Can Do For You

The Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence to establish liability and negligence.

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than 100 years  of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.

Determining the Value of Your Case

If you have suffered a neck injury in an auto accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To find out how much your case is worth, contact the personal injury attorneys of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. for a free consultation. Our experienced lawyers are dedicated to helping victims of car accidents obtain justice and fair compensation.

Here are some settlements the car accident lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.  have obtained for car accident victims:

• $6 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a rear-end collision.
• $4.8 million for a severely injured client after another vehicle struck his motorcycle.
• $1.9 million for a client who suffered a permanent back injury due to a car accident.
• $1.5 million for a client who had to undergo multiple surgeries after a negligent motorist cut off his motorcycle.
• $1 million settlement obtained on behalf of our 19-year-old client who was a passenger in a car in which the driver lost control, causing a collision. As a result, our client suffered extensive brain damage with cognitive impairment. He was in a coma for an extended period of time. Although he has regained consciousness, he is unable to care for himself. The law firm asked the Court to appoint him a guardian to care for him. The law firm is helping to establish a special needs trust so that the proceeds from the settlement will be protected against any medical liens.
• $1 million settlement on behalf of a client who suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.

Contact an Accident Lawyer Today

If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.

 We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600  or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.