If you were in a car accident and later felt pain in your neck area, you might assume you are simply experiencing one of the most common symptoms of whiplash. Whiplash happens because of sudden movement stretches that injure your neck’s soft tissues, causing pain that sometimes disappears after some weeks. Still, it is generally unwise to ignore neck pain or leave it untreated, as it can be a sign of more severe injuries or health conditions.
Neck pain may indicate something severe
Car crashes may result in serious or life-threatening conditions with symptoms that include neck pain. These conditions include:
- Herniated disc. The spinal discs that cushion the bones in your spinal column have a soft inner material and tough exterior. A slipped or herniated disc happens when the inner material pushes through cracks in the exterior, causing pain in the affected area. It usually develops with age, but the condition may also occur because of strong trauma from events like car accidents. Herniated discs typically affect the lower back and neck.
- Spinal fractures. A serious car crash may cause trauma so severe that it compresses or breaks some of the bones in your spine, causing pain and other symptoms. Although such injuries tend to happen on the back, they can also occur on your neck.
These injuries often have long-term effects or can threaten your life, so it is best to seek medical help after a car crash as soon as possible.
Whiplash is not something to ignore
Even if your neck pain was indeed from whiplash, it generally pays to seek prompt treatment. Untreated whiplash may lead to long-term complications, such as:
- Chronic pain
- Headache
- Reduced range of motion
A car accident can result in dangerous and costly injuries. If the crash happened because of another person’s negligence, compensation by the at-fault party might help cover the cost of your treatment and recovery. A personal injury attorney can help by building a solid case, representing you in court and helping you obtain fair and favorable outcomes.
