Car accidents can cause various injuries to different parts of your body. However, the neck is a part of the body vulnerable to severe injuries.
When you collide with another vehicle or stationary object, your vehicle suddenly and sometimes violently stops. However, your body continues moving forward until stopped by your seatbelt or another force. This can cause your head and neck to whip side to side or forward and backward, causing significant pain and injuries.
Here, you can learn about common neck injuries seen in car accidents and how they can impact your life.
Whiplash
The most common neck injury seen in car accidents is whiplash. It is extremely common in rear-end accidents. Cases of whiplash can impact the nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Physical therapy is the best treatment option for this injury.
Cervical spondylolisthesis
The force of a car accident can cause one or several of the vertebrae in your spine to dislocate or slip out of alignment. The severity of the injury can range from severe to mild. The vertebra can compress the spinal cord or nerves with slippage, creating pain that radiates into the back of your shoulders and head.
Neck strain or sprain
These can seem like the same injury, but they are unique. A neck strain occurs when the facet joint, the tissue connecting your business, muscles, muscles, or tendons are damaged. Sprains mean that the soft tissue that connects bones has been damaged. Both injuries can cause pain when you move your head, reducing mobility.
Protecting your rights after a car accident
If you are involved in a car accident, you should take steps to protect your rights. Be sure to seek medical treatment and document all your injuries. Doing this will give you the foundation for a strong personal injury claim.