Neck Extension in an Auto Accident
Cars are an essential part of everyday life. However, people can be seriously injured or killed in a car accident. Information that has been published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has shown that:
- In 2016, there were more than 34,400 car accidents where at least one person was killed.
- These accidents resulted in the deaths of more than 37,400 people, meaning that some accidents resulted in more than one fatality.
- These numbers show that, in the United States, about 12 out of every 100,000 people were killed in a car accident.
Even for those who survive, the symptoms of an injury sustained in a car accident can persist for many months or even years.
Neck Extension: A Common Injury in a Car Accident
Wearing a seatbelt while riding in a motor vehicle can help prevent injuries and death. While this does restrain the chest and abdomen, there is no such restraint for the head and neck area. When an accident occurs, the momentum of the vehicle can change suddenly. This can cause the head and neck to jerk rapidly back and forth. The motion can lead to hyperextension of the neck. Some of the symptoms include:
- A headache
- Jaw pain
- Neck pain
- A loss in the range of motion of the neck
These symptoms result from the strain that has been placed on the ligaments, tendons, and muscles of the neck. It can take several days or even weeks to recover from this. On the other hand, there are more serious complications which can also develop.
Serious Complications Can Occur
Sometimes, the neck can be extended to the point that the delicate structures underneath are damaged. The esophagus and trachea are made out of a pliable tissue that is able to bend and stretch. The blood vessels, such as the carotid arteries, are made out of a similar material. These structures are flexible, up to a point. If stretched too far, the trachea, esophagus, and carotid arteries can tear. These are surgical emergencies that are life-threatening and need to be repaired immediately. For this reason, it is vital for everyone involved in a car accident to seek medical care.
Watch YouTube Video: How Your Body Gets Damaged in a Whiplash Injury. This video demonstrates how your neck can get injured in a car accident.
Contacting a Lawyer
Car accidents are serious matters. If someone suffers a surgical complication because of a traumatic injury, this can place the entire family under a large amount of stress. Some of the concerns that loved ones have could include:
- How long will it take to recover after a surgical procedure?
- How is our family going to manage if he or she is unable to return to work?
- What is going to happen if our health insurance company does not help with the cost of medical care?
All of these questions are understandable, and families deserve to have their questions answered. To help with this, reach out to a car accident injury lawyer in Sacramento.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a car accident injury lawyer in Sacramento. Neck injuries are common following a car accident. If someone you care about has developed complications due to injuries from a serious auto accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
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