Our trusted Indiana car accident lawyers get results
Whether your accident was a rear-ender on a highway like I-465, a head-on collision in a neighborhood like Indy’s Northside, or at an intersection along a backroad like Route 62, injured car accident victims are frequently left with neck pain.
The pain may be severe, sharp, shooting, pulsing, stiff, or tender. It can limit your range of motion as well as ruin your sleep and stop you from driving or going to work. Left untreated, neck pain can develop into chronic pain. The agony can impact your relationships and love for life.
There is no such thing as neck pain from a “minor car accident.” Every car accident that results in injury is significant. If you ever question whether you should see a doctor for neck pain after a car accident – the answer is always ‘yes.’ See a doctor as soon as possible after a crash for a thorough examination. Even if you feel okay, you may be suffering from a serious injury with delayed symptoms. Then, call a lawyer.
Neck pain due to a car accident is the type of injury where an experienced Indiana car accident attorney can make a big difference in your claim compensation. Neck pain claims are frequently denied or devalued by insurance adjusters. Your lawyer needs to build a strong, evidence-based case for compensation. That’s what we do at Vaughan & Vaughan.
Our law firm has more than 100 years of experience getting justice and compensation for injured Indiana car accident victims. We know how the law works here and what it takes to win. If you were injured in a car accident, contact us for a free case consultation.
What does my neck hurt after a car accident?
Neck pain after a car accident is often a sign of a serious injury. Some neck injuries that commonly result from car accidents include:
- Whiplash. The rapid jerking back and forth and side-to-side motion when you come to a sudden stop in an accident does significant damage to the neck. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. Left untreated, whiplash can develop into chronic pain and other complications. It is important to see a doctor about whiplash injuries and follow their treatment instructions. Even with treatment, many injured car accident victims are pained by whiplash for a long time.
- Stiffness, strain, or sprain. The soft tissue in your neck can be damaged by the wild movement of an out-of-control car. Sometimes, surgery is necessary to remove damaged tissue and replace or repair tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Other times, pain can be reduced through ongoing physical therapy, regular medical care, and/or medication.
- Jaw injury. Dislocation or fracturing of the jaw joint and bones can cause serious pain in your neck as well as affect your speech and ability to eat solid foods.
- Nerve or spinal cord injury. This type of injury includes a slipped disc, herniated disc, bulging disc, pinched nerves, or nerve damage. The upper portion of the spine at the back of the neck is frequently damaged in car crashes.
- Fractures. Whether it is a full break or hairline fracture, any damage to your neck bones, the cervical vertebrae, is serious.
What are some common symptoms of neck pain injuries?
There are often signs that let you know your neck pain might be more than a little ache. Symptoms that neck pain may be caused by a serious underlying injury include:
- Swollen or tender neck and/or shoulders.
- Stiffness limiting range of motion.
- Bulge on or near the spine.
- Dizziness or lack of balance.
- Muscle spasms.
- Blurred vision.
- Fatigue.
- Pain increases when you move your neck.
Sometimes, neck pain does not develop until days or even weeks after a car accident. Delayed pain injuries like whiplash are well-documented. Still, insurance companies often assert that any injury that does not cause immediate and terrible pain after a car accident is made up or caused by an unrelated incident. That’s one of the reasons you need to see a doctor right away, and it’s why you need an attorney.
What is the average compensation for neck pain after an Indiana car accident?
Typically, the more severe and impactful an injury is, the greater the compensation. The intensity of injury treatment and duration of pain can also drive up compensation. Every accident is unique, so it is difficult to give an average compensation amount. However, because neck pain is often a sign of a more serious injury, compensation can be up to tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
How long can neck pain last after a car accident?
Unfortunately, injuries that cause neck pain often take a long time to heal. It often takes months or even years to heal from a neck injury. Sometimes, neck injuries result in chronic pain that victims must contend with for the rest of their lives. Our lawyers know that your case must consider future pain. That’s why we always build cases that demand maximum compensation.
What type of compensation can I get if I have neck pain after an Indiana car accident?
There are two types of damages an injured victim can recover after the actions of a negligent driver cause an accident – economic and non-economic.
- Economic damages are for things that have standard value like medical expenses, lost wages, future earning potential, replacement services, and vehicle repairs.
- Noneconomic damages compensate you for subjective losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, reduced mobility, or loss of enjoyment. An experienced lawyer knows the arguments and evidence that support claims for noneconomic damages that the insurance companies cannot ignore.
- In rare cases, you may be able to collect punitive damages as well.
Your lawyer can calculate the value of your claim and collect the evidence necessary to demand maximum compensation from the insurance company.
Fighting for your rights
Depending on injury severity, treating car accident neck pain can involve multiple surgeries, medication, and medical devices. Chronic pain may require lifelong physical therapy or other forms of ongoing treatment. This can all get very expensive very fast. You cannot afford to settle your injury claim for less than your pain is worth.
Our law firm has helped thousands of Indiana car accident victims recover damages. We know what it takes to rebound from a car accident neck injury and how to get justice for crash victims.
We offer free case consultations to potential clients. At no cost to you, one of our experienced lawyers can answer your crash-related legal questions, estimate the value of your claim, and help weigh your compensation options. You should also know that our Indiana car accident lawyers work on contingency. That means that there is never an out-of-pocket charge for our services. Our fee is an agreed-upon percentage of the settlement or verdict. We only get paid if we win.
Contact us to schedule your free case consultation today.
