If Your Neck is Injured in an Accident, the California Personal Injury Lawyers at Sally Morin Law Will Help You Pursue Full and Fair Compensation!

When you suffer from a serious and potentially debilitating injury, such as a neck injury, you need an attorney who will fight tirelessly for your rights to ensure you get the full and fair compensation you deserve. 

Neck injury cases are not always like typical personal injury cases, as neck injuries can be more severe and devastating, resulting in life-long complications and catastrophic injuries. This means the damages you suffer, such as medical expenses and physical and emotional distress, can be more of a burden, resulting in the need for more compensation. 

Even minor to mild neck injuries can cause severe pain that can affect your ability to perform daily tasks. In this case, you could still need time off work while you recover, which can result in lost wages in addition to any medical expenses. This is why it is crucial to work with an experienced personal injury attorney. 

At Sally Morin, we have a passionate team of lawyers who are dedicated to helping California car accident victims get the settlement they deserve. In the majority of car accident and motorcycle accident cases we handle, our attorneys are capable of negotiating a valuable settlement to maximize the money in our clients’ pockets. 

You’ve already been seriously injured in an accident—isn’t that enough? Let us take the wheel and do the heavy lifting while you focus on rest and recovery. Don’t hesitate. Reach out to our legal team today for a free case evaluation.

What Kind of Accidents Cause Neck Injuries?

The neck is an incredibly sensitive part of the human body. Even the most minor tweaks or movements can cause the neck to become injured. For example, just sleeping on your neck wrong can cause you to wake up with neck pain. 

It’s no surprise then that millions of people injure their necks every year. And what causes those injuries can vary significantly from one person to the next. Some of the most common causes of neck injuries include:

California Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Accident Neck Injuries

Not only can the way a neck injury occurs vary, but the exact type of neck injury can also vary depending on the circumstances. As motor vehicle accidents tend to be the most common cause of neck injuries, the severity of the injury will depend on the severity of the accident. 

In more minor car accident cases, victims might only suffer from mild to moderate strains and sprains or whiplash. And while even these more minor injuries can cause severe pain, they are not nearly as bad as some of the more severe neck injuries that can occur. 

Mild to moderate neck injuries generally heal with rest, pain medication, and time, while more severe neck injuries can take months and even years to recover from. And in some cases, a severe neck injury can also result in long-term damage. 

Some of the more serious neck injuries that result from severe car accidents and motorcycle accidents include:

Cervical Fractures

The cervical spine, which is made up of bones in the vertebrae, connects from the neck down to the back. When bones in the vertebrae break from a forceful impact, it results in extreme pain and can permanently damage the spine. 

Herniated Discs

As the neck is part of the spine, when it becomes injured, it can affect the discs in the spine. When a disc slips out of place, it can rupture or bulge, which causes severe pain and can put pressure on the nerves in the spinal cord.

Cervical Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is like a herniated disc, but it happens when the vertebrae slip out of place instead. When the bone slides, it can press on the spinal cord, causing severe pain and weakness. 

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord is a column of nerve tissue that runs from the base of the head to the center of the back. As such, any damage to the cervical spine (the neck area) can cause the spinal cord to become injured as well. And any damage to the spinal cord is considered severe as it can cause complications and long-term disability. People who injure their spinal cords can become fully or partially paralyzed and can develop other medical issues over time. 

Signs You May Be Suffering From a Neck Injury After an Accident

If you sustain a neck injury, especially one of the more severe injuries listed above, you must seek immediate medical attention. After an accident, your body may be in shock, which can sometimes make injuries initially hard to detect, but even if you don’t feel any symptoms right away, you should still seek medical care. 

If you are suffering from a severe neck injury, emergency care may be needed to save your life or prevent further damage that can cause complications such as paralysis. This is why it is important to understand and recognize the potential signs of a neck injury. 

Common symptoms of neck injuries include:

  • Neck, jaw, or shoulder pain
  • Stiffness in the neck
  • Limited range of motion or difficulty turning the neck
  • Throbbing pain in the neck
  • Pain that radiates into your back
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Tingling or numbness in extremities
  • Nausea
  • Muscle spasms in the neck
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Blurred vision
  • Memory problems
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Ringing in the ears

How a Neck Injury Can Affect Your Life

While some neck injuries can be minor, most neck injuries should be taken seriously. This is because it can be hard to initially determine how bad a neck injury is without getting a thorough analysis from a doctor. Never assume your neck injury is minor just because you have little to no symptoms. 

Neck injuries are serious, and they can permanently affect your life if not properly treated. And even serious neck injuries that are diagnosed and treated right away can still lead to long-term complications. 

A severe neck injury can lead to lifelong pain, muscle weakness, loss of bodily functions, and paralysis. Though surgery and rehabilitation can sometimes help, it does not guarantee you will fully recover. Some people that sustain serious neck injuries may need long-term care and physical therapy just to keep their muscles from atrophying or to keep other conditions from arising. 

This means neck injuries are not only medically expensive, but they can also affect your overall quality of life. Some people who sustain severe neck injuries will even develop mental health issues and emotional distress from their suffering and not being able to live their lives the way they once did. It can also affect your ability to go to work and earn a living to support yourself. 

Because a neck injury can have such a significant and negative impact on your life, you must work with an attorney to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Though no amount of money may ever be able to make up for all you have suffered, it can help you pay for medical expenses and other bills and help you move on as comfortably as possible. 

How is Fault Determined for a Neck Injury After a California Accident?

In California, your car accident attorney, insurance companies, and the court will consider various factors when determining how to assign fault. California is also a comparative fault state, which means more than one party can be held liable, and the injured victim could share in the blame. If that were the case, the injured party would have their settlement reduced based on their percentage of fault. 

Factors that will play a role in determining fault include:

  • The location of the accident
  • Which laws were broken
  • Police reports
  • Witness testimonies
  • Evidence of damaged vehicles or equipment that was involved
  • Available video footage 
  • Photographic evidence 

Recovering Compensation for Your Neck Injury in California

Because a neck injury can be so severe and potentially alter your life, you deserve full and fair compensation. However, there is no way to initially determine how much money your claim should be worth. Just as various factors will be taken into consideration to determine fault, multiple factors will also be considered when determining how much your neck injury claim is worth. 

The factors, also known as damages, that will play a part in determining how much compensation you will be awarded include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity 
  • Cost of lost or damaged property, such as car repairs
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Loss of consortium

How to Protect Yourself and Your Neck Injury Claim After an Accident in California

To ensure you get the settlement you deserve, you will need to build a strong case that supports your claim and proves how badly you were injured and how much you have suffered. To do this, you will need to:

Get Immediate Medical Care

The sooner you get your injuries checked out, the better. Immediate medical attention is crucial to your health and wellbeing, but you will also need medical evidence to show proof of your injuries to support your case.

Gather Evidence

The evidence provided in a personal injury case after an accident is vital. You will need as much evidence as possible to prove what happened and who was at fault. This can include:

  • Photos of the accident scene 
  • Photos of injuries
  • Photos of car damage 
  • Video footage of the accident
  • Witness statements and contact information

Avoid Talking to Insurance Adjusters

It is relatively common for insurance companies to use tactics to convince injured victims to give up information that could be used against them. They are always looking for ways to deny claims or reduce settlement amounts. So no matter what an insurance adjuster says to you, do not allow them to record your conversations, do not admit to fault or apologize, and do not downplay your injuries. 

Don’t Post on Social Media

While some people generally use social media to stay connected with friends and loved ones, it is a bad idea to post openly about your accident and what happened. Anything you say or post could be used against you by the guilty party’s insurance company. 

Let a California Personal Injury Attorney Help You

After an accident, it is always best to consult with an attorney before talking to insurance companies or anyone else. Beyond sharing the basics, there is a lot that could be used against you if you are not careful, and it’s also easy for other mistakes to be made that can negatively affect your claim.  

With an attorney on your side, however, they can guide you through the process to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible. They will help you file your claim, gather evidence, handle paperwork, and instruct you on how to speak with those involved. 

Overall, working with an attorney means you are more likely to win your case and get the settlement you deserve. 

Contact a Qualified California Neck Injury Attorney

Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers can handle the complicated legal issues involved in your claim so that you can put all of your focus and energy on recovering from your injuries. With a trustworthy, experienced personal injury attorney by your side, there is no reason to worry and stress about your situation.

We Handle Your Personal Injury Claim So You Can Focus on Your Life

After a neck injury in a car accident, consult with the attorneys at Sally Morin Personal Injury Lawyers. We truly care about the people of California. Contact us today for a free online case evaluation or call 833-SALLY-SF.