Neck Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

Anyone who has experienced a severe traffic collision knows that avoiding injury is incredibly difficult, especially given the high speeds on today’s highways. Whether a car or commercial truck wreck happens on an interstate, beltway, or rural road, injuries are almost inevitable when a negligent driver causes a serious, unavoidable crash.

As a personal injury law group in Maryland, the team at Summit Injury Group understands that many collisions involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles are the tragic result of another driver’s carelessness. Being the innocent victim in a negligence-based accident offers little comfort when you are facing days or weeks of hospitalization, followed by months of physical therapy.

Long-Term Effects of Traffic Collisions

Some individuals never fully recover from the severe injuries sustained in a typical Maryland or Washington, D.C. car or commercial truck crash. Many victims suffer from chronic, painful aftereffects long after the initial impact. As Baltimore-based attorneys, we know that almost any roadway accident carries the potential for negative outcomes. While cuts and bruises usually heal, potentially leaving scars, injuries to the neck, back, and head can leave a person with a lifetime of pain and discomfort.

While spinal cord damage and traumatic brain injuries often grab headlines, certain neck injuries can be just as debilitating regarding pain levels. A brain injury is undeniably more severe than a soft tissue injury, but that doesn’t mean a victim should ignore their pain or believe it isn’t “bad enough” to file a claim. A qualified Baltimore car accident lawyer can help evaluate the true extent of these injuries.

Understanding Whiplash Injuries

Consider the commonly cited “whiplash” injury sustained by many victims of rear-end collisions. For those unfamiliar with the term, whiplash acts as an umbrella description for a range of neck-related injuries. These injuries, which primarily involve soft tissue damage to the neck, are very common when one vehicle strikes the back of another. Even low-speed fender-benders frequently result in whiplash cases.

At our law group, Baltimore car accident lawyers are well aware of the scenarios that lead to whiplash. We also know that the presence of more graphic injuries, such as lacerations, broken bones, or internal bleeding, often causes medical personnel to overlook the whiplash component of a victim’s condition.

Simply put, when a car is rear-ended by another vehicle or a large commercial truck, the impact throws the occupants’ bodies forward while their heads remain relatively stationary. This difference in motion between the body and the head forces the neck into a sudden, extreme extension or flexion, mimicking the cracking of a whip. A skilled Baltimore auto accident attorney will understand the biomechanics behind this movement and how it affects your claim.

Medical Terminology in Legal Cases

It is important to note that the term “whiplash” sometimes carries a slight negative connotation. However real the pain is, professional injury lawyers often find it better to rely on specific medical terminology and clinical descriptions when building a case against a negligent driver. For example, whiplash-type injuries are frequently referred to as:

• Hyperextension or hyperflexion injuries
• Myofascial injury
• Neck sprains
• Cervical sprains

Common Causes of Neck Injuries

While rear-end collisions are a primary cause of whiplash and other neck-related trauma, other types of personal injury accidents can produce the same effect. These can include:

• Car and truck accidents beyond straight-forward rear-end crashes
• Intentional bodily assault involving head trauma (such as a shove from behind)
• Snowboarding or skiing accidents
• Repetitive stress injuries in the workplace
• “Shaken baby syndrome”
• Slip-and-fall accidents in homes, retail stores, or on poorly maintained sidewalks

When discussing traffic-related whiplash, many people assume only high-speed crashes result in injury. This is false. Frequently, lower-speed, minimal-force rear-end impacts cause the majority of neck injuries. Consult with a Baltimore car accident lawyer to understand how even minor accidents can lead to major medical claims.

The Seriousness of Soft Tissue Damage

At Summit Injury Group, we understand that the causes of whiplash are complex and result from more than just the force of impact. While some might argue that whiplash is a minor soft-tissue injury with negligible effects, this is far from the truth. Years of medical evidence suggest that soft tissue injuries associated with whiplash can have serious, long-term consequences if left untreated.

As professional personal injury attorneys, Summit Injury Group always recommends that anyone involved in a collision—no matter how seemingly minor—seek immediate medical attention. A Baltimore auto accident attorney will tell you that medical records are crucial for substantiating any future claims.

Symptoms of Whiplash and Neck Injuries

In addition to serious cognitive or psychological difficulties that a whiplash injury may trigger, there are several physical symptoms to watch for. If you experience these, you may have a valid claim:

• Headache, dizziness, and/or blurred vision
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Decreased range of motion
• Shoulder, arm, or back pain
• Unusual neurological sensations (tingling in hands/arms, burning, or prickly feelings)
• Interruption of sleep cycles, fatigue, or trouble concentrating

Our Approach to Injury Claims

As professional auto and trucking accident lawyers, our team focuses on serious Maryland car and trucking accident claims. While we handle whiplash-related injury cases, we often focus on instances where the injuries are more severe than one might initially suspect. We emphasize this because these complications happen to a surprisingly greater extent than most people imagine. If you are unsure about the severity of your case, a Baltimore car accident lawyer from our team can help assess your situation.

It is generally known that serious neck injuries can linger long after an accident has occurred, yet medical professionals are still learning about the nuances of these spine-related injuries. Although our group does not handle every minor soft tissue injury case, we are happy to review your specific situation and make recommendations. If we accept your automobile-related whiplash case, be assured that Summit Injury Group has the expertise to guide you through the complicated steps of a personal injury lawsuit.

Protecting Your Future

Your future and the well-being of your loved ones are vital considerations when facing a potentially debilitating physical injury. Because medical costs and rehabilitative therapies are constantly rising, protecting yourself and your family’s financial health is a primary concern. You need a Baltimore auto accident attorney who understands these economic pressures.

At Summit Injury Group, our attorneys fight hard for the compensation due to our clients. Whether your lawsuit involves compensation for medical expenses, rehab costs, or even lost wages due to an inability to work, our legal team is ready to help. Contact us today at (412) 387-6901 to set up a free, no-obligation consultation.