Car accidents occur every day but weather conditions and volumes of traffic at this time of year mean even more hazards. The severity of car accidents varies as do the potential injuries.
Neck pain is commonly associated with road traffic collisions. The reasons behind this can be both minor and severe. Why is the neck particularly exposed during a crash?
Rapid movements
Most of us have moved our necks too quickly and suffered temporary pain as a result (jerking your neck). This happens as a result of the muscles in the neck trying to protect themselves. Any abnormal and sudden movement can spark this sensation.
In a car accident, this is accelerated because of the level of sudden force. A rear end collision is much more likely to impact the neck seriously because the driver has no time to brace for impact. They usually don’t see the crash coming.
Even in cases where the driver has seen the collision coming, the neck can be affected. It’s a natural instinct to tense up when you realize an impact is coming. This can put tremendous strain on the neck muscles, bones, joints and tendons.
Often, neck injuries are minor but this isn’t always the case. Even soft tissue damage and whiplash symptoms can take months to recover from. In severe cases, the neck may be fractured, with further damage to the spine. These types of severe injuries can be life-changing and even potentially fatal.
If you’ve been hurt in a crash that resulted from someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Seek legal guidance to assess your personal injury claim options.
