Neck pain after a car accident can range from mild to debilitating. If you’ve been in a crash, it’s important to ensure that you seek proper medical treatment and speak to a car accident injury lawyer about your right to compensation.
Common Injuries That Cause Neck Pain After a Car Accident
Whiplash
Whiplash is caused by the rapid jerky movement of your head from one position to another. This sudden snap of your neck often causes immense strain on your muscles and can tear tendons and ligaments. People who have experienced whiplash often describe swelling of the neck, and in more severe cases, temporary vocal cord paralysis and vision problems. Whiplash can also have other far-reaching effects as well, resulting in disruptions in sleeping patterns and sudden mood swings.
Herniated Disc
Another common injury after a car accident are herniated discs. These occur when the gelatinous interior of a disc tears into the bone along the nerve. While less severe than other neck injuries, herniated discs can still cause severe pain and suffering.
What Symptoms of Neck Injuries Should You Look For?
Symptoms of neck pain after a car accident may include:
- Stiffness of the neck
- Headaches
- Problems with motion range
- Shoulder pain
- Back pain
- Numbness of arms and fingers
- General fatigue
- Dizziness
What Kind of Compensation Can You Obtain After a Neck Injury?
Typically, the amount of compensation you can receive for neck pain after a car accident depends on the following factors:
Duration and Severity of Your Injury
The more severe your injury, the more compensation you may be awarded. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can effectively prove that your injury will negatively impact your ability to work and function in the future.
Past, Present, and Future Medical Expenses
All car accidents victims deserve compensation for their medical treatments. Why should you be faced with this hefty monetary burden if another party was acting negligently behind the wheel? Even minor neck injury treatments can range in the thousands of dollars. If you are facing more severe injuries that require surgery, then you are looking at millions of dollars. Going further, damages for medical expenses can also extend into the future for any medical procedures that may be needed down the road.
Lost Wages and Future Earning Potential
Experiencing pain after an auto accident may negatively impact your ability to work or function. You may have even missed out on work from your hospitalization or recovery. In either case, you have already lost or are going to lose vital income. Damages for lost wages will not only address the income you’ve already lost, but it can also address your loss in future earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering
While monetary based damages are easier to prove in court, you can seek damages for non-monetary compensation as well. Typically judged on a case-by-case basis, damages for pain and suffering are often coupled together with emotional distress. Sometimes, neck pain from a car accident can be so devastating that it can impact the victim’s ability to enjoy life. For example, a victim may experience pain whenever they try to hug a loved one or engage in sexual relations. Keep in mind, however, that damages of this nature are harder to prove without the help of car accident injury attorney.
A San Antonio Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
At Brylak Law, we have years of experience helping victims of car accidents get the compensation they need to move on with their lives. We can help you in every step of the injury claims process, from finding the right doctor to filing and litigating your case. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
