• Long Island, New York Personal Injury Attorney

Neck Injury from car accident – what should I do next?

Car accidents often result in a neck injury – which is often referred to as whiplash.  Although such an injury is not as grave as a loss of life, such an injury is frequently very serious. Regardless of the type of neck injury victims suffer following car accidents, it is crucial to consult with an accident lawyer who is experienced in these types of cases.
Traffic accidents can be minor or serious, or even fatal.  If you are experiencing neck injury symptoms following a car accident, seek medical treatment, and consult with a skilled personal injury attorney who will review your case to determine whether you may be eligible for compensation of damages and costs associated with your injuries.

Sustaining a neck injury after a car accident is not unusual, particularly when you are struck from behind, or rear-ended.  Many people associate neck injury symptoms with whiplash, although this may not be the case.  Drunk driving accidents often result in neck muscle injury, although any type of accident can result in neck injuries.  Regardless of whether the negligent motorist was impaired, speeding, driving recklessly, distracted, or simply not driving responsibly, they should be held accountable for the damages they cause.  Accidents involving cars, trucks, SUV’s and pick-ups are the leading cause of injuries across the nation.  Tens of thousands of car accidents occur every year across the U.S., many of them resulting in back or neck injury and other injuries.

Neck muscle injury is also common with car accidents, and may result in not only immediate pain, but medical issues in the future.  When you suffer a neck injury from a car accident, first and foremost you should seek medical attention.  As soon as you are able, consult with a personal injury attorney who will work to recover the compensation for damages you may be entitled to, including medical costs, lost income, property damage (such as to your vehicle), pain and suffering, future medical costs and/or lost income, and more.

When you suffer a neck injury in a car accident, you may wonder whether it is actually whiplash, or another type of neck injury.  Some symptoms of whiplash include:

  • Pain or soreness in the jaw area
  • Blurred vision
  • Pain or discomfort in the back
  • Stiffness or pain in the neck/shoulder area
  • Vomiting and/or dizziness
  • Tinnitus, or ringing of the ears
  • Other symptoms

In many circumstances, the pain or symptoms of a neck injury are delayed.  This is the primary reason you should seek medical attention at once, so that it can be determined whether you have a potentially serious injury.

Even in the event car or traffic accidents do not seem serious enough to warrant having paramedics dispatched to the scene, it is still vital to seek medical attention.  Many injuries do not manifest symptoms immediately, but may become more serious within the coming days or weeks.  In addition, if you do not seek medical attention soon after you suspect a neck injury from a car accident, sometimes the negligent party’s insurance company will take the position that they do not feel they should compensate you.

Whether you have sustained a neck injury at work, neck muscle injury as the result of a car accident, or any neck injury caused by the negligence or carelessness of another party, your first action should be to seek medical attention.  Once you do that, consult with a neck injury lawyer who is experienced in accidents resulting in these types of injuries so that work can begin to collect the compensation you deserve.

Kaplan & Kaplan P.C. ©