Whiplash is the principal injury reported by drivers after a car crash. Rapid back-and-forth neck movement causes soft cervical spine tissues to either stretch or tear during the incident. The signs of this condition include neck pain, headaches, shoulder stiffness, and arm numbness, which may persist for weeks without proper medical care.
Whiplash
Whiplash is the primary reported injury after car accidents. A rapid whipping motion of the neck causes it. The forceful motion applied to the cervical spine has the potential to stretch or tear the soft tissues there.
The symptoms of this condition involve neck pain, headaches, shoulder stiffness, and arm numbness. When treatment is not received, the symptoms persist for weeks. When you notice these symptoms, seeking advice from a top car accident lawyer near me becomes essential.
Neck Sprains and Strains
Ligaments get injured during sprains, while strains affect muscles and tendons. Both are common in crashes. The movement of your head will produce either a dull ache or stiffness alongside possible sharp jolts. The affected area experiences limited movement because muscle spasms frequently occur.
Herniated or Bulging Discs
An auto accident can cause spinal disc movement, which results in bulging or slipping discs. The discs between vertebrae serve as natural shock absorbers. Nerve compression occurs when these structures shift from their correct positions, leading to shoulder or arm pain. Symptoms include tingling sensations and numbness that may accompany the pain.
Pinched Nerves (Cervical Radiculopathy)
A pinched nerve results from the compression of a nerve through disc or spinal structure contact at the neck. The nerve compression produces intense pain and burning sensations or numbness extending from the neck to the arms and hands. The condition arises because of disc damage or inflammation.
Facet Joint Injuries
The facet joints connect your neck vertebrae, enabling neck movement. However, the neck joints can become inflamed or strained during collisions, producing pain, specifically on one side of the neck. The pain intensifies when performing head movements or attempting backward neck tilts.
Fractures and Cervical Spondylolisthesis
Vehicle crashes at high speeds tend to break one or multiple vertebrae while potentially causing harm to the spinal cord. Such injuries become dangerous to your life and need urgent medical intervention. A vertebra shifting from its normal position produces spondylolisthesis, generating pain, stiffness, and nerve symptoms.
Muscle Spasms and Surface Injuries
Your body creates muscle spasms during injury protection, which might continue for multiple weeks after the incident. The accident may result in seatbelt-related bruises, cuts, and debris cuts. You should call a neck injury attorney to investigate your possibilities when these symptoms create daily challenges or become more severe.
Any untreated neck injuries sustained in car accidents tend to become worse as time passes. Medical assistance should be obtained immediately after a car accident if you experience stiffness, pain, numbness, or unusual symptoms. Early medical care helps stop potential long-term medical issues while providing essential evidence for legal proceedings.
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