Experienced New Orleans Neck Injury Attorney On Your Side
According to Integrity Spine and Orthopedics, car accidents are a primary cause of neck injuries, with more than 80,000 car crashes with accompanying neck injuries reported in the U.S. annually. Unfortunately, neck injuries related to auto accidents are often left untreated or are not treated appropriately so some may not know to reach out to a neck injury attorney. Whiplash—a very real, very serious neck injury—is an injury that is often discounted by insurance companies. Even though the neck is a very vulnerable part of the body, it is rarely well-protected during a car crash. Further, if you sense a collision before it occurs, your neck muscles tend to tense in anticipation, resulting in less “give” than relaxed muscles.
Your body is held in place by a seatbelt and protected with airbags as well. Your neck, however, is totally unrestrained at the moment of impact. The neck can jerk back and forth or to one side. These sudden, violent movements can cause injury to the muscles, joints, nerves, ligaments, and tendons to the neck and cervical spine. Having an experienced New Orleans neck injury attorney from New Orleans Legal by your side can truly make a difference in the outcome of your car accident.
At New Orleans Legal, we help those who are in need or who may be in total despair due to their situation. We will finance your case while getting you on the road to recovery—in short, we will help you solve the problems you have related to your New Orleans car accident. Obviously, we cannot return your life to the way it was before the accident. What we can do is help you get the compensation you need to get your life back on track. The New Orleans Legal attorneys will deal with the insurance company and all other legal issues while you have the time to heal. If you have suffered a neck injury after a car accident, we can help.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Neck Injuries?
Car accidents and other motor vehicle accidents (truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, bicycle, bus) are one of the primary causes of neck injuries, often causing soft-tissue injuries to the neck muscles or spinal fractures. A neck injury can also result from a slip and fall accident (or another premises liability injury), a construction accident, or other types of work-related accidents. Neck injuries can also result from malpractice, or potentially from a defective product. Soft-tissue injuries of the neck are very common in auto accidents since the neck is often “snapped” violently forward, then backward, at the time of impact.
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What Are Some Signs That You Might Have a Neck Injury Following an Accident?
The human neck is both vulnerable and complex, made up of seven cervical vertebrae that reside in the spinal column. Intervertebral discs separate the cervical vertebra, and the facet joints connect the bones, allowing you to pivot your head. The neck and skull are protected by the musculoskeletal system. The cervical discs are like mini shock absorbers, therefore, disc injuries are common, but the neck also contains tissues that can be stretched, torn, or strained during an accident. Some of the more common symptoms resulting from a neck injury include:
- An inability to fully turn your neck from one side to the other
- A “heavy” feeling in your neck or head
- Stiffness in the neck area
- Pain—from minor pain to excruciating pain
- Nausea
- Shooting or throbbing pain in the neck or head
- An inability to look up or down without extreme pain
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Moderate to severe headaches
- Fever or chills
- Depression, anxiety, or irritability
- Insomnia
- An inability to focus
- Extreme fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Numbness or tingling in your arms
If you have had prior injury or trauma to the neck area, have a job that requires repetitive neck motion, a history of arthritis or pain in your neck, are elderly, or you smoke, a neck injury is likely to be worse for you than for someone without these risk factors.
How Long Does Neck Pain Usually Last Following a Personal Injury Accident?
A neck injury after an accident can cause pain for a few days, a few weeks, months, or even for a lifetime, depending on the severity of the injury. Surgical intervention, chiropractic care, or rehabilitative therapies can, in some cases, shorten the time you will have pain from your neck injury. A slipped or herniated disc can cause pain not only in the neck but also in the arms, due to nerve compression. Cervical Spondylolisthesis occurs when one or more vertebrae slip out of alignment or become dislocated. Pain from this type of neck injury can radiate to the back of your head and shoulders.
A neck sprain or strain can cause pain when you move your head or upper neck, while a pinched nerve can result in severe pain in the neck area, tingling, or numbness. An injury to a facet joint can result in neck inflammation and irritation, causing pain. Muscle spasms are painful, but usually for less time than other types of neck injuries. A neck fracture is a very serious injury, causing damage to the spinal cord nerves, often resulting in paralysis or death.
What Type of Compensation Are You Entitled to Receive Following Your Accident?
Once your New Orleans Legal attorney has the opportunity to fully evaluate your claim, the losses you suffered will be included in the demand for compensation. Most accident victims are entitled to receive compensation for past medical expenses related to the accident, as well as future medical expenses necessary to treat your neck injury. If you were unable to return to work following your accident, you may be entitled to lost income.
If you will be unable to return to your job for a significant amount of time, you could be entitled to lost future wages. Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your pain and suffering, emotional anguish, loss of consortium and enjoyment, and any temporary or permanent disability.
What is the “Typical” Settlement for a Neck Injury and How Long Will It Take to Receive a Settlement?
There really is no “typical” settlement for a neck injury as the settlement will depend on how severe your injury was, and whether you had to take time off from work as a result. Neck injury settlements often range from $5,000 to $200,000 and can be even more when paralysis occurs. Having an experienced neck injury attorney who can accurately calculate your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages is imperative in receiving an equitable settlement.
How a New Orleans Neck Injury Attorney from New Orleans Legal Can Help
If you are the victim of a neck injury after a car accident or other type of accident, having an experienced New Orleans neck injury attorney from New Orleans Legal can be the single most important decision you make. At New Orleans Legal, we help people. We get them the money they deserve for their injuries, lost wages, and other damages. We will aggressively take on your legal problems until they are solved because we understand that you are depending on us to pursue justice on your behalf. We will never violate the trust you place in New Orleans Legal, so contact us today!
