Do You Have Neck Pain After A Car Accident?
It happens all the time. Maybe you were rear-ended by another vehicle. Your car was damaged, and you were shaken up but felt mostly okay. Then a few days, or even weeks go by, and you notice that not only is your neck still stiff, but it’s becoming debilitatingly painful.
Neck injuries, often caused by whiplash can be difficult to diagnose immediately following a crash, often because soft tissue injuries take longer to show symptoms. However, that does not mean that they are not real or serious. It just means that they will present differently than other injuries, such as broken bones, which are likely immediately apparent.
Understanding Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash occurs in approximately 30% of rear-end accident cases, due to the forward momentum of the driver followed by the restraint of the seatbelt. This can be jarring for the neck, as well as the shoulders, arms, and upper back. In addition to stiffness of the neck, many drivers describe suffering migraines, limited range of motion (such as not being able to turn their head fully to either or one side), tingling or numbness in the face, arms, or neck, and shooting pain down the neck and spine, just to name a few. Additionally, whiplash injuries can damage the brain and even cause traumatic brain injuries. These can manifest as a sensitivity to light or sound, migraines, blurred vision, fatigue, vertigo, dizziness, and even things such as depression and anxiety.
Compensation for Whiplash Injuries
If you have suffered financial damage as a result of a vehicle accident that was not your fault, you are entitled to compensation. Compensation for a whiplash injury can cover things like medical bills and treatment, pain medication, physical therapy, and lost wages, in addition to pain and suffering for the physical and emotional trauma caused by the injury. Compensation for a whiplash injury can range from $2500 -$100,000, with most settlements averaging around $7500. The exact amount of your settlement will depend on the facts and circumstances of your claim. The more serious and permanent the effects of your neck injury are, the higher your settlement will be. Most whiplash injuries resolve on their own over time and with medical treatment and physical therapy, which would settle on the lower end of this range. However, whiplash injuries causing traumatic brain injuries, serious cervical spine or spinal cord damage, or that have lasting physical and psychological effects, can result in much higher settlements. If you are interested in learning the approximate value of your specific claim, schedule a free consultation with the Maryland personal injury attorneys at Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP.
Talk to a Maryland Personal Injury Attorney
If you have suffered an injury as a result of an accident, you do not have to navigate this process alone. The Maryland personal injury attorneys at Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP, serve Gaithersburg, Baltimore, Frederick, and all surrounding areas, and are ready to help you get the compensation and support that you deserve. Call today to schedule your free personalized consultation.
