The sudden, violent impact of a car accident can affect every part of the body, including the neck. Neck injuries are some of the most debilitating, leaving victims struggling with constant pain, limited mobility, and the inability to perform basic daily tasks. If you have suffered one of these injuries in a collision, you have the right to pursue legal action for the harm that you have suffered—and a McAllen car accident lawyer can help you recover the settlement that you deserve.
Types of Neck Injuries After a Car Accident
The neck is made of a complex network of muscles, ligaments, nerves, and vertebrae. Car accidents generate tremendous forces that can severely damage these delicate structures, leading to a wide range of potential injuries:
- Whiplash: The rapid back-and-forth movement of the head during an accident can strain and tear the soft tissues in the neck. This can cause a common condition known as whiplash, leading to chronic pain and reduced range of motion.
- Herniated Discs: Spinal discs are rubbery cushions that act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae in your neck. The impact can force a disc to rupture or bulge, creating pressure on nearby nerves and causing radiating pain, numbness, and weakness in the arms.
- Cervical Fractures: High-energy collisions can crack or break the vertebrae in the neck, resulting in severe pain and potential spinal cord damage. When these vertebrae are damaged, long-term paralysis may occur.
- Sprains and Strains: A neck sprain occurs when the ligaments connecting the vertebrae are stretched or torn, while a strain involves damage to the muscles and tendons. Both conditions can cause significant pain, stiffness, and limited mobility that may persist for weeks or months.
Signs and Symptoms to Watch Out For
After a car accident, neck injury symptoms may not appear immediately. They may develop gradually over hours or even several days. Without medical care, however, these injuries can worsen and lead to serious complications.
You should always go to the doctor after any car accident, even if you do not feel hurt. However, you should definitely go to the doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Persistent neck pain
- Headaches
- Shoulder stiffness
- Reduced range of motion
- Muscle spasms
- Numbness in arms
- Tingling sensations
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Upper back pain
- Jaw pain
Calculating Damages for Neck Injuries
If you suffered a neck injury in a Texas car accident, you have the right to pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit against the driver who caused your collision. These claims allow you to recover compensation to help pay for medical care, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and any other losses that you have sustained due to the accident.
Settlement values for neck injuries can vary significantly, ranging from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Multiple factors play a role in the final amount, such as:
- The severity and extent of the injury
- The need for ongoing medical care or rehabilitation
- Your ability to work following the injury;y
- The impact of the injury on your life overall
You deserve fair compensation after a neck injury, and a McAllen personal injury lawyer from De La Garza Law Firm can help. We know what it takes to accurately value these claims and build the strongest possible case for our clients. Contact us at (956) 533-1426 for a free consultation and learn what we can do for you.
