Head and neck injuries are some of the most common injuries car accident victims suffer. The violent force of impact can cause a person’s head and neck to move in ways that result in physical trauma to soft tissues, bones, and nerves in the head and neck area. Although a head or neck injury may only initially cause mild discomfort, these injuries can progress to chronic and debilitating pain over time.

If you’ve suffered a head or neck injury in a car accident in Houston, turn to The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™ for help in securing financial recovery and justice from those parties at fault for the accident and your injuries. Don’t let the insurance companies try to convince you to accept less money than your injury claim is truly worth.

Contact our firm today for a free initial case evaluation to speak to a car accident attorney.

Common Types of Head and Neck Injuries Following a Car Accident 

Some of the most frequently suffered head and neck injuries caused by car accidents include:

Whiplash

Whiplash injuries commonly occur in rear-end car accidents. The force of the rear impact can cause an accident victim’s head and neck to violently jerk forward and back. This injury commonly affects the neck muscles, nerves, discs, and tendons.

Whiplash Statistics in Houston

Here are just a few of the important statistics surrounding whiplash injuries and their impact on car accident victims:

• More than one million Americans suffer from whiplash injuries each year (Harvard Health Publishing)
• Half of the people who suffer whiplash injuries continue to have neck pain a year or more after their injury (Harvard Health Publishing)
• 10 percent of whiplash injury victims develop chronic pain that interferes with their ability to work and with their everyday life (Harvard Health Publishing)
• 66 out of 118 or 55.9 percent of one study’s participants did not recover from whiplash injuries they suffered in an accident that occurred two to four years earlier (European Spine Journal)
• 80 percent of whiplash injuries occur at crash speeds below 12 mph (International Journal of the Care of the Injured)
• Whiplash injuries can occur at speeds as low as 5 mph (Garber Chiropractic Center)
• Symptoms of whiplash may not appear until weeks or months after a precipitating event (Spine Universe)
• Car accident victims whose first symptoms were intense, started rapidly, or included severe neck pain, limited range of motion, or pain that spread to the arms are more likely to suffer chronic pain (Mayo Clinic) 

Neck Sprain

A neck sprain refers to injuries to the tendons and ligaments in the joints of the head and neck. These injuries are often caused by a sudden traumatic jolt or twisting force to the head and neck. 

Stingers and Burners

A stinger or burner is a temporary injury, usually to nerve tissue or nerve bundles such as the brachial plexus or the nerve roots leading into the spinal cord. 

Herniated Disc

Spinal discs are soft tissue located between each vertebra that provides cushioning and protection for the spinal column. A spinal disc can become herniated when the tissue begins to bulge out from the vertebrae, often due to a traumatic injury. Once the disc is no longer supporting your neck or back bones, you may experience pain and discomfort. 

Neck Fracture

A neck fracture refers to the breaking of bones in the neck area. This type of injury can occur because of a sudden, strong impact.  

Symptoms of a Head or Neck Injury 

The symptoms of a head or neck injury can vary depending on the exact type of injury. For example, signs of a whiplash injury can include:

• Headaches at the base of your skull
• Blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears
• Neck pain and/or stiffness
• Dizziness
• Sleep problems
• Trouble concentrating
• Weakness or numbness in the arms

Neck sprains can have symptoms that include:

• Pain and stiffness
• Headaches
• Muscle spasms

Symptoms of a herniated disc injury can include:

• Numbness, usually isolated to one side of the body
• Weakness in the arms
• Tingling or burning sensation
• Pain worsened by standing or walking
• Loss of bladder or bowel control 

Importance of Seeking Medical Attention 

You should seek medical attention for any potential head or neck injury after a car accident. Although you may only be experiencing mild pain and stiffness, you might have suffered a more serious injury, such as a herniated spinal disc, that can worsen without prompt medical attention. Many head and neck injuries can also lead to chronic and debilitating pain if not treated right away. 

Treatment and Recovery for Head and Neck Injuries 

Treatment and recovery for head and neck injuries often depend on the type and severity of the injury. Most neck strain and whiplash treatment involves rest and/or the application of cold or heat to the source of your pain. Physicians may also prescribe pain relievers, neck braces, or physical therapy to help the whiplash recovery process.

More severe injuries, such as herniated discs or neck fractures, may require more intensive treatment and a longer recovery period. These injuries may require surgical intervention to repair the damage.

Unfortunately, neck injuries involving damage to the spinal cord resulting in paralysis often cannot be cured. Care is usually focused on helping the injured person learn to live with their disabilities. 

Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer After a Head or Neck Injury 

Hiring a car accident attorney after you’ve suffered a head or neck injury in a crash can provide you with certain benefits over trying to pursue compensation on your own. For example, an attorney can:

• Properly value your claim. Insurance companies may try to convince you that your head or neck injury is only a minor injury or isn’t a “real” injury to get you to accept a much smaller settlement. An attorney with experience handling head and neck injury claims will know what kind of losses you will likely incur due to your injury and can make sure that any settlement you accept provides you with the financial recovery you need.
• Investigate the accident. Experienced car accident lawyers know what evidence is needed to prove their client’s case, so they can act quickly to secure that evidence before it ends up being lost or destroyed.
• Negotiate with the insurance company. Trying to get fair and full compensation from the insurance companies on your own can prove incredibly difficult. Insurance adjusters handle hundreds or thousands of claims a year and have tactics they use to get accident victims to accept less than the full value of your claim. An attorney won’t be distracted by these tactics and can demand fair compensation for your claim.
• Zealously represent you in court. If your claim ends up having to go to court, hiring an attorney with knowledge of the court system and how to file and pursue a lawsuit will help ensure that your claim is not dismissed from court on a technicality. 

How The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™ Can Help You 

If you suffered a head or neck injury in a car crash, let The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™ help you get the financial recovery you need and deserve by:

• Determining the true value of your head or neck injury claim, including what treatments you may likely need in the future and the pain, suffering, and lost quality of life your injuries may cause you.
• Dealing with the insurance companies on your behalf so that your rights and interests are protected.
• Using our extensive experience and real results to fight for your fair compensation.
• Ensuring you understand your legal rights and options under Texas law.
• Investigating your claim to identify every party that may bear liability for your injury.

You don’t have to handle your claim alone. Let our personal injury attorneys guide you through every step of your case. From the moment you contact us, you become part of our family. 

Contact a Whiplash Accident Attorney from The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™ 

If you have suffered a whiplash injury or other head or neck injury in a car accident, contact The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™ today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a whiplash accident attorney.

Legally Reviewed by Attorney Hilda Sibrian.