Car accidents are life-changing events that take a toll on your body. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may be experiencing neck pain or a neck injury. These are common effects of a car crash and can be caused by several things that can result in chronic neck pain or lead to a more severe injury.

If you are suffering neck pain after a car accident, first seek medical treatment. Then, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.. to find out if you have the right to file an injury claim.

Is it Normal to Experience Neck Pain After a Car Accident?

A neck injury can lead to chronic pain or a sign of more serious injuries. Immediate neck pain after a car accident is expected. However, it can take 24 hours or longer after a crash occurs for certain symptoms to appear. This is why it is essential to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

Areas of the Neck Affected by a Car Accident

The neck is a complex structure made up of bones, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. It supports the weight of your head and allows you to move your head in all directions.

The seven cervical vertebrae make up the neck spine. These vertebrae are small and delicate, and they can be easily injured in an auto accident.

What Happens to the Neck During a Car Accident?

The head is thrown forward and then snapped back during a car accident. This sudden movement can cause the cervical vertebrae to compress, leading to neck pain, stiffness, and headaches. The ligaments in the neck may also be injured, leading to inflammation and pain. Muscles in the neck may become strained or torn, which can cause pain and stiffness. The nerves in the neck may also be injured, leading to severe pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.

Symptoms of Car Accident Neck Injuries

The symptoms of a car accident neck injury can vary depending on the type of injury. Some common symptoms include:

• Neck pain
• Headache
• A stiff neck
• Numbness or tingling in the arm or hand
• Muscle spasms
• Weakness

Common Types of Neck Injuries After a Car Accident

The neck can suffer from a variety of injuries after a car accident. Here are some examples:

Whiplash Associated Disorders

Whiplash-associated disorders (WAD), also commonly referred to as whiplash injury, is one of the most common types of neck injury. It is a term used to describe injuries sustained as a result of the head-snapping forward and then back again in quick succession, such as during a rear-end collision.

Neck Sprain or Strain

Neck strain is a common injury resulting from a car accident. A neck sprain happens when the ligaments in the neck are stretched or torn.

Slipped or Herniated Discs

The disks between each vertebra act as shock absorbers for the spine. Cervical disk herniation is a serious injury that happens when the disks between the vertebrae rupture or bulge out.  A herniated, bulging, or slipped disc in the neck can cause compression on the spinal cord, which can cause numbness or tingling down the arms, hands or fingers, radiating pain down the neck and into the arms, or weakness in the arms. 

Neck Fracture or Compression

A neck fracture is a crack or break in one of the bones in the cervical spine.

Facet Joint Injuries

The facet joints in the cervical spine help in head and neck stabilization and mobility. The impact of a car collision can inflame and irritate the joints.

Long-Term Complications of Initial Injuries

People who suffer from a neck injury after a car accident may experience long-term complications. These can include:

• Chronic neck pain
• Headaches
• Numbness or tingling in the arm or hand
• Muscle spasms
• Spinal cord injuries
• Long-term shoulder pain

How is Neck Pain Diagnosed and Treated?

Treatment for neck injuries may include medications, physical therapy, or surgery. Most neck pain can be treated with over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. In addition, your doctor will likely perform a physical exam and order imaging tests such as an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan to diagnose the cause of the pain.

You may be eligible to recover compensation for any medical treatment and bills you incur after your car accident. Contact a car accident lawyer to learn more about filing a personal injury claim for your injuries.

Can You File a Lawsuit for Neck Pain 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 with 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 a century 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

Many factors go into determining the value of your case. These include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our attorneys have experience evaluating cases just like yours to determine what they may be worth and will work hard to get you fair compensation for your injuries.

Here are a few of our case results:

• $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 client 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.