Neck injury is one of the most common consequences of car crashes. Particularly in rear-end collisions, car accident victims are often thrown about their vehicle with their head and torso sent in opposing directions. The sudden jerking movements and impact can cause neck strain, spraining and tearing muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves in the neck, back, and shoulder. If you’ve been in a car accident and are now experiencing neck pain, it is important to take your symptoms seriously. Read on for a discussion of car accident neck injuries and important steps to take. Call a professional Bronx car crash attorney for advice and representation after a New York car accident.
What is Whiplash Syndrome?
Whiplash occurs when a person’s head moves backward and then flings forward at a high speed while their torso stays behind. Whiplash injury can lead to a host of debilitating symptoms including neck pain, neck stiffness and decreased range of motion, dizziness, headache, fatigue, burning or prickling sensations, and even neurological issues including memory loss and mood changes. These symptoms can take several days or weeks to develop after a car accident and can last for weeks or months after the collision.
Whiplash injury is incredibly common after rear-end accidents, and it can even arise after low-speed fender-benders. When your torso is flung forward but stopped by the seat belt, your head and neck keep going, leading to whiplash. If you experience neck pain after a car crash, especially a rear-end collision, there is a good chance that you have a whiplash injury. Other symptoms may develop over time, but it is important to act as soon as you develop any pain or other associated symptoms in order to protect your health and preserve your rights.
See a Doctor
If you have any injury symptoms in the days or weeks following a car accident, even a minor fender-bender, you need to see a doctor. Your neck pain may be the first warning sign of a much more serious injury, and without diagnosis or treatment, that injury can become all the more dangerous. Additionally, if you hope to recover compensation for your injuries from the at-fault driver, the sooner you see a doctor after the accident, the better.
Do What Your Doctor Says
It is not enough just to get a diagnosis and treatment recommendations. It is just as important to follow all of your doctor’s recommendations. If your doctor says that you must ice your neck an hour a day, or advises you against strenuous activity such as exercise or sports, do what they say. Your neck injury can get worse over time if not treated properly. Moreover, if you are not following your doctor’s recommendations, you could undercut your ability to get full compensation for your injury from the other driver. If the other driver or their insurance company can argue that you failed to take care of your injury after the accident, they will seek to limit their liability and claim you are responsible for your worsening condition.
Call a Lawyer
If you’ve been hurt in a car crash caused by another driver, you are entitled to compensation. A seasoned car accident lawyer will review your case, investigate the circumstances of your accident, gather evidence, and pursue your claims against the driver and their insurance company. Make sure to tell your doctor about your pain and other symptoms. Keep copies of your medical records, medical bills, and other documents generated after the crash and provide those to your attorney as well. With your lawyer’s help, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Get Effective Legal Help After Your Bronx Car Accident
If you or someone you love has been injured by a negligent driver in New York, find out if you’re entitled to money damages for your injuries by contacting the educated and effective New York car crash lawyers at the Bronx offices of the Kohn Law Firm for a free consultation at 718-409-1200.