Most Common Types of Car Accident Neck Injuries



Neck Sprain - When ligaments are stretched or torn in the neck, the result is a neck sprain, which can cause pain and stiffness.

Neck Strain - When neck muscles are stretched or torn, a neck strain results. Sometimes they are referred to as "pulled muscles." They usually occur when the muscles are suddenly and powerfully contracted or when they stretch unusually far. Neck strains and sprains are also called: "hyperextention / hyperflexion injuries", or, more often" whiplash disorder.

Cervical Radiculopathy (pinched nerve) - Cervical nerves leave the spinal cord in the cervical pine area and travel down into the arm. Along the way, the nerves supply feeling to a part of the skin of the shoulder and arm and supply electrical signals to certain muscles to move part of the arm or hand. When a nerve is irritated or pinched, by either a bone spur or a fragment of a herniated (ruptured) disc it then cases the nerve not to work properly. Weakness in the muscle or numb skin or nerve pain can result from this.

Herniated Disc - A herniated disc may result from neck motion putting too much pressure on a disc. Sometimes these are called "slipped discs" or "ruptured discs". The annulus tears and part of the nucleus pulposus pushes out of the centre of the disc in this injury. If the tear is on the side of the disc next to the spinal canal, the nucleus pulposus can press against the spinal nerves. This pressure can cause pain, numbness, and weakness along the nerve.

There is also evidence that the chemicals released from the ruptured disc may irritate the nerve root, leading to some of the symptoms of a herniated disc, especially pain.

Neck pain after a car accident can be serious and in many cases requires significant rehabilitative efforts. In the most serious cases, there can be permanent impact leading to decreased quality of life, reduced work capacity and other negative side effects.

If you suffer serious neck pain as a result of a motor vehicle accident that was not your fault, consider contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer for a case evaluation.