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The impact of a car crash could cause serious temporary and permanent injuries to the victim’s neck. You often hear the word whiplash associated with a car accident, and the term seems overused. However, there is nothing common about the term when you are the one suffering from it. The effects of it are real, and you may never be the same again.
When you are in a car accident, your head and neck may move at a different speed than your body. Remember that the rest of your body is being held in place by a seatbelt. There is nothing to restrain your head and neck. Even when the seatbelt and airbag work as they should in protecting the rest of your body, it may be a different story for your neck.
Whiplash
Especially in a rear-end crash, your neck could snap forward violently. This is the same effect as being on the end of a whip. This is why it is called whiplash. When you suffer whiplash, it could damage ligaments, nerves, and tissues in the neck. The pain could be apparent right away, or it could take weeks to develop. Some cases are serious enough that they never fully get better.
Neck Fractures
Neck fractures are perhaps the most significant neck injury that you could suffer in an accident. These can often lead to paralysis. However, some neck injuries could heal in weeks or months with treatment and surgery.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries are when there is damage to the ligaments, muscles, or tendons. This could cause extreme pain and discomfort in your neck. Even if this injury does not sound severe, it could curtail your daily activities. Accident victims with permanent neck damage could qualify for significant pain and suffering damages.
Disc Injuries
Slipped or herniated discs happen when the force of a crash causes discs to move out of place. Usually, surgery is the way to repair this. Otherwise, the disc may compress on nerves in the spinal cord. The accident victim may lose some function and feeling in their arms and hands until this condition is relieved.
Vocal cord paralysis is another neck-related injury. When there is an impact on the larynx, it could cost you the ability to speak and even breathe.
Get Help for Neck Injuries Right After the Accident
For car accident neck injuries, the key is to get medical help right after the accident. Neck injuries could get much worse over time if they are not treated. Even if you do not feel pain today, it does not mean that you will be alright tomorrow. Doctors can spot symptoms of neck injuries even before you feel discomfort. Therefore, it is wise to get checked out as soon as possible.
Delaying medical care can also harm your claim in other ways. The more time passes, the greater the chance that the insurance company will try to find a way to argue that your injury came from something else. They will never miss an opportunity to find a way to deny or downgrade your claim. It gets harder to tie your pain to the accident when you are being treated sometime later.
Neck injuries can be debilitating and painful. Even when you get prompt and immediate treatment, neck pain can be chronic. It can require surgery and lengthy rehabilitation. In the meantime, you may be missing work and not able to do the things that you previously enjoyed. You may not be able to get comfortable no matter what you do.
Neck Injuries Could Mean Compensation for Pain and Suffering
As a result, compensation for neck injuries could be much higher than you think. A car accident attorney knows the value of your claim when you are suffering from neck injuries. Not only are you paid for the pain that you suffer, but the fact that you cannot enjoy your life could also be compensable. Don’t forget that neck injuries cause continuous discomfort that could keep you from sleeping or even going out of the house.
For starters, your compensation would include the costs of all of your medical bills. This begins with doctor’s office visits and any surgical procedures. Neck injuries may also require continuous and ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation. All of this is covered. In addition, you would also receive money for the time that you missed from work. If you have a job that requires physical labor, neck injuries could make it impossible for you to do your job. You should anticipate that the insurance company may argue that you are still able to work in some capacity.
How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help You
One of the first calls that you should make after an accident is to a car accident attorney. The first thing that the attorney would do is evaluate your claim and explain your legal rights.
Your lawyer would get to work to gather evidence that could help prove your claim. They could file the claim with the insurance company on your behalf and handle all the communication with the insurance company. Then, they would evaluate any settlement offer that you receive and let you know if it is adequate to compensate you. If not, they would file a demand letter stating what you expect from the insurance company and why.
Charleston Car Accidents Attorneys Helping Injured Clients
If you or a loved one have suffered a neck injury in a car accident, call the attorneys at the David Aylor Law Offices at (843) 744-4444] or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation. We could evaluate your claim and help you work towards financial compensation. Contact us today to discuss your case, and we can get to work to secure your legal rights.
FAQ
How Much Pain and Suffering Damages Can I Receive from a Car Accident?
It all depends on how much you have endured and suffered. Usually, these are multiple of your medical bills.
Will My Car Accident Case Go to Court?
Most car accident cases will either settle in the claims stage or before the case reaches a trial.
Do I Need a Lawyer for My Car Accident Case?
There is no legal obligation to have a lawyer, but it would certainly help your case.