Types of Neck Injuries

The neck is a crucial body part. It supports our heads, protects our precious nerves, and is flexible enough to turn many directions. Unfortunately, there are many types of neck injuries we can experience.

Any area of the neck can cause pain and problems. Plus, neck pain can be debilitating. It can lead to pain in other body parts. If you have pain in your neck, it’s essential to understand why.

Here are the most common types of neck injuries.

Main Types of Whiplash Neck Injuries

Whiplash is one of the most common types of neck strain. It happens when something whips your head in a forward-and-back motion.

Many people suffer whiplash during rear-end car accidents. The force from behind can easily snap the neck back-and-forth. It can damage the neck’s muscles, ligaments, and nerves.

Symptoms of whiplash include:

• Headaches
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Numbness
• Dizziness
• Tingling
• Neck or limb weakness

Whiplash is largely misunderstood. After an accident, many people don’t realize they have it until later. Whiplash pain can take time to show up. You might not completely feel the pain until hours or days later.

Insurance companies often doubt whiplash injuries. Since whiplash doesn’t show up on imaging tests, it’s harder to prove. However, it is a very real and painful injury.

We always advise accident victims to see a doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor can evaluate you for possible whiplash injuries.

Fall-Related Neck Injuries

Slip and fall accidents can also cause neck strain. As you try to prevent the fall, you can sprain your neck muscles. This type of neck injury is also common in athletic sports.

Overuse Neck Injuries

Many people are prone to overuse neck injuries. “Repetitive neck injuries” is another good description. These injuries happen because of:

• Poor posture
• Holding the same position in the upper body
• Stress at work

A lot of us sit hunched over desks for long periods. This posture can put a lot of pressure on our necks.

Typing and other work tasks can strain our arms and neck muscles. Sitting in an awkward position every day can easily lead to neck strain.

Neck Strain Injuries

Some neck strains occur because of too much activity. Sports, excessive exercise, and high-intensity work can cause neck strain. For example, you can hurt your neck if you pick up a heavy object too quickly or with improper posture.

Sleeping-Related Neck Injuries

Did you know you can injury your neck while you sleep? Poor sleeping posture can cause neck injuries. If you sleep in an odd position, it can strain your neck.

Pinched Nerve Neck Injuries

Activity or herniated discs can cause pinched nerves in the neck. Pinched nerves usually cause shooting or sharp sensations. You might feel these in your neck and arms. Sports activities, accidents, and falls can lead to pinched nerves.

Thankfully, pinched nerves usually go away with rest.

Fractured Neck Vertebrae

Severe accidents can break the vertebra in your neck. If this happens, you should get medical attention immediately. A neck fracture can cause paralysis or quickly become fatal.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Traumatic accidents can cause spinal cord injuries. These injuries happen when the bones around the spinal cord become disrupted. That can include neck injuries.

Spinal cord injuries are very serious — and often fatal. They require immediate medical treatment. A spinal cord neck injury can cause paralysis or death.

Arthritis Neck Pain

Arthritis is tenderness or swelling in the joints. Over time, you can develop arthritis in your neck joints. Neck arthritis can cause:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Less range of motion

You might have arthritis from many years of repetitive motions. You could also suffer arthritis years after an accident injury.

Neck Pain from Illnesses

Some serious diseases can lead to neck injuries. For example, certain types of cancer or meningitis can cause neck pain.

Most Common Causes of Neck Injuries

As you can see, there are many types of neck injuries, and neck pain has many different causes. Some of the most prevalent causes include:

• Car accidents
• Slips and falls
• Repetitive motions
• Lifting heavy objects, such as weights
• Sports-related movements

If an accident caused your neck injury, talk to a neck injury lawyer. You could be entitled to compensation if you didn’t cause your accident.

A neck injury can impact many different areas of your life. You might have a valid neck injury insurance claim, and an experienced lawyer can help you seek financial recovery.

How to Prevent All Types of Neck Injuries

Not all neck injuries are preventable. For example, some car accidents happen because someone else was careless. There is no way to prepare for an unexpected crash. However, some actions help prevent neck injury.

You can reduce your risk of neck pain by:

• Always wearing a seatbelt in the car.
• Not colliding into others head-on during contact sports.
• Always wearing a helmet while bicycling or motorcycling.
• Having good posture while working.
• Never drinking and driving.

Talk to a Neck Injury Lawyer for Free Today

Neck injuries can stay with you for many years. Some neck injuries stick around for life. If you were not at fault for your injury, you have legal rights. You might be able to recover damages (Georgia Code Section 51-1-6).

At John Foy & Associates, we help injury victims seek the compensation they deserve. We can listen to your situation and determine if you have a case. We also do not collect a fee unless we win you money.

Contact us today for a FREE, no-risk consultation. Call (404) 400-4000, or contact us online.