Accidents such as traffic crashes, workplace accidents, and sports injuries can lead to serious strains, fractures, and damage to parts of the body such as the back and neck. Neck injuries can be very painful, with a healing period that can vary in length depending on the type of neck trauma that’s sustained and the severity.
The neck is composed of vertebrae that begin in the upper torso and extend up to the base of the skull. These vertebrae, in addition to other ligaments and muscles, provide stability for the spine, which can suffer significant trauma in accidents such as a car crash.
Neck pain is one of the most common forms of chronic pain in U.S. adults. Nearly 50 percent of adults who experience neck pain are estimated to continue experiencing frequent or recurring episodes of neck pain—a risk that may be heightened among those who experience neck injury as a result of serious accident.
If you’ve suffered a neck injury such as whiplash or a fracture at the fault of another party, such as a negligent driver or negligent business establishment, you may be eligible to file a neck injury accident claim to recover compensation and seek other injury-related damages.
At Florin|Roebig, our neck injury lawyers have the knowledge, skills, and resources to assess the cases of our injured clients and advocate for a fair settlement that appropriately compensates you for your losses.
What Kinds Of Accidents Cause Neck Injuries?
There are a variety of ways in which individuals can experience neck trauma. In the United States, the most common causes of neck injuries include motor vehicle accidents, workplace accidents, recreational accidents, slipping and falling, and sports injuries.
Neck injuries can occur as a result of sudden trauma, which may involve rapid movements affecting the neck, or due to cumulative stress—neck trauma that builds up over a period of time—as a result of repetitive movements, prolonged straining, heavy lifting, or excessive anxiety.
Symptoms of neck injury might include:
- stiffness
- muscle pain
- muscle spasms
- difficulty moving your head
- shoulder pain
- headache
- numbness and tingling down the shoulders, arms, hands, and/or fingers
- dizziness
- fatigue
- blurry vision or sensitivity to light
- sleeping problems
- shooting pain in arms or legs
At Florin|Roebig, our lawyers are most interested in neck injuries that occur due to the negligent or reckless behavior of another party, such as an employer, drivers in car accidents, perpetrators of violence, and businesses.
The following are the most common causes of neck injuries that can qualify for personal injury litigation:
Traffic Crashes
Motor vehicle accidents are some of the most common causes of neck injuries, resulting in sprains, strains, whiplash, and other serious injury. Vehicle collisions can cause rapid, jarring movements that may damage the neck, spinal cord, and other areas of the body that can lead to neck pain and trauma.
Whiplash is one of the most common consequences of vehicle accidents, occurring as a result of an individual’s body moving very suddenly while the head remains fixed in place. Whiplash and other crash-related neck injuries can occur regardless of speed, and may be influenced by factors such as the victim’s height, posture, seatbelt use, and force of impact.
Workplace Accidents
Neck injuries, such as strains, tears, and sprains, are common injuries sustained in workplace accidents that can affect employees’ ability to work.
Although reported less often than injuries to the back, shoulder, arms, and trunk—neck injuries may have acute and chronic effects that result not only in pain but tangible economic costs to workers and employers.
Employees who work in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and other labor-intensive positions are at the highest risk for suffering neck injuries, which will often require medical attention and potentially time off work.
Causes of neck injuries in the workplace might include:
- slips and falls
- tripping
- injuries caused by falling objects
- sudden motion injuries
- repetitive stress injuries
Sports Injuries
Professional athletes, as well as individuals who participate in recreational sports, can be at risk for experiencing neck trauma through activities such as heavy lifting, gymnastics, and any other encounter in contact sports that might result in sprains, strains, stress, or sudden trauma to the neck.
Vacation Accidents
Many of the activities people frequently engage in while traveling can result in accidents and injury without proper care, training, or equipment. Some of the most common vacation activities that can cause neck pain or neck trauma include paragliding, water sport accidents, boating accidents, bungee jumping, and other moderate- to high-risk activities.
These accidents can occur due to personal fault, but may also occur due to defective manufacturing, the negligence of an instructor or company, or property manager depending on the nature of the accident.
Slip And Fall Accidents
Slip-and-fall accidents in stores, at the workplace, or on other private or commercial property are a common cause of neck injuries. Wet floors, unstable flooring, icy surfaces, and potholes may commonly result in slip and fall accidents.
Business and commercial property owners whose negligence results in a slip-and-fall accident on their premises may be held liable for resulting costs of the accident, including paying for neck injury-related damages. This may also be true for neck injuries that occur in the workplace, if the accident occurs due to the failure of the employer to maintain reasonably safe workplace conditions.
Consequences Of Neck Injuries
Injuries to the neck can vary in their severity, ranging anywhere from a mild strain to permanent injury and disability. Many neck injuries can lead to chronic problems requiring ongoing physical therapy, medication, and other forms of care depending on the nature of the injury.
Neck injuries can also have mental and psychological costs. Being unable to work due to a neck injury, for instance, may cause a great deal of stress, resulting in anxiety and feelings of depression and panic.
Costs commonly associated with neck injuries include:
- surgical costs
- lost wages
- loss of earning capacity
- reduced mobility
- disability
- chronic neck pain
- physical therapy
- psychological problems (e.g. depression)
- job loss
- medication
If you or a loved one is suffering from the physical and financial repercussions of a neck injury sustained at the fault of another party, filing a personal injury claim may be your best option to reach a settlement that can compensate you for your losses.
How To File A Neck Injury Accident Claim
The process of filing a neck injury claim may depend on the setting in which the neck injury occurred, the type of defendant you are filing the claim against (e.g. employer, business owner), and the types of damages you are seeking.
For instance, in workplace accidents, injured parties may be able to seek compensation and other worker’s benefits through filing a worker’s compensation claim. There may be limits, however, to the amount of compensation that can be awarded in this type of claim, and this is unlikely to award damages such as mental anguish and pain and suffering.
Neck injuries that occur as a result of a car, motorcycle, or bicycle accident may be eligible for compensation through a claim with your insurance, that of the at-fault driver, or the at-fault party directly.
Speaking to an experienced neck injury lawyer can give you a better idea of what your legal options are in filing a neck injury claim and how to begin the claims process.
The primary elements of a neck injury accident claim include:
- Duty: existence of duty of care (e.g. following traffic laws, maintaining safe workplace conditions)
- Breach: that duty of care was breached or violated by the negligent party
- Causation: the neck injury must be caused by the negligent party’s breach of the existing duty
- Damages: proof that the injury resulted in physical, emotional, and/or financial damages
In the United States, personal injury claims must be filed within a certain amount of time after an accident before your right to take legal action is waived. This is known as the statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations for neck injury claims varies depending on where you live in the United States and can be best explained by a personal injury lawyer who’s knowledgeable about your state’s laws.
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Do I Need A Lawyer To File A Neck Injury Accident Claim?
Taking legal action against an employer, business, or driver of a motor vehicle for a neck injury can be a challenging task without the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Injuries such as whiplash, for instance, have gained a negative connotation in many spaces for being fabricated, or faked, for the purpose of seeking money from a wealthy individual or business.
These biases can make it more difficult for victims to successfully secure compensation for damages and can require ample evidence to help prove your case.
Hiring a lawyer is the most effective protection you can have against accusations of a false claim or exaggerating your injury for financial gain.
A neck injury lawyer can assess the details of your case, gather the support that’s needed to validate the extent of your injury, and advocate aggressively for a fair settlement on your behalf.
At Florin|Roebig, our neck injury lawyers can help you by:
- offering an initial case evaluation free of charge
- providing an estimate for how much your settlement is worth
- gathering evidence to support your claim (e.g. medical records, police report)
- consulting legal and medical experts
- communicating with the defendant and insurance on your behalf
- working to ensure you receive the best possible settlement
- bringing your case to trial, if necessary
Not every personal injury case results in a settlement, and if this happens to you, our attorneys are prepared to bring your case to trial if necessary to fight for your right to compensation.
If the party responsible for your injury, or their insurer, is refusing to pay for injury-related damages, we can help you file a lawsuit to secure the compensation you’re owed for injury-related damages.
We Are Nationally Awarded Lawyers
Contact Florin|Roebig To Help You File A Neck Injury Claim
Voted one of America’s top law firms, the personal injury lawyers of Florin|Roebig have the experience and resources necessary to secure compensation for clients who have been injured at the fault of another party.
Our lawyers have a strong record of winning neck injury cases against employers, reckless drivers, and business establishments that have failed to protect the safety and well-being of those who visit their premises.
If you or a loved one has suffered a neck injury at the fault of another, our lawyers can help you recover the compensation you need to make a full financial recovery. Don’t wait to learn how much your case is worth. Call us today to schedule a free evaluation and discuss the details of your case today.
