Car Accidents Resulting in Cervical Spine Injuries
Regardless of how minor or severe, car accidents place a great deal of stress on the body, so it is not surprising that car accidents are a leading cause of personal injuries each year in the United States. The spine is especially vulnerable to injury in a car accident. Many car accidents result in cervical spine injuries.
Cervical spine injuries can cause long-term or lifelong physical limitations, and they often cause substantial emotional and financial damage as well. Car accident lawyers at the Tawwater Law Firm, PLLC, work with car accident victims in the Oklahoma City, OK, area to pursue compensation for losses related to a cervical spine injury.
What Is the Cervical Spine?
The spine runs from the base of the skull down to the hips. The spinal cord runs down the center of the spine and acts as a passageway for signals to be transmitted between the brain and the body. When looking at the spine, doctors separate it out into three sections, the cervical spine, the thoracic spine, and the lumbar spine. The cervical spine is the upper part of the spine, which includes the base of the skull and the neck. The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae, which are surrounded by muscles, nerves, tendons, and ligaments.
What Happens to the Neck During a Car Accident?
The neck is exposed to a lot of force and pressure during a car accident, which is why cervical spine injuries are such a risk in the event of a collision. The head and neck are not restrained in a car, nor are there any safety measures that really protect the neck when an accident occurs. The impact of a car crash often causes the neck to jerk back and forth or to one side. Depending on the circumstances of an accident the neck can also be struck by flying debris. Sudden, rapid movement, as well as external forces, can cause serious damage to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and joints that make up the cervical spine.
Cervical Spine Injuries
Car accidents can cause a wide range of cervical spine injuries, each of which can vary in severity and the type of symptoms they cause. Some of the most common cervical spine injuries after a car accident include:
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue damage, including strains, sprains, or tears
- Slipped or herniated disc
- Pinched nerve
- Facet joint injury
- Neck fracture
Compensation for Cervical Spine Injury Damages
Cervical spine injuries can cause chronic pain and long-term complications, including mobility issues. Some cervical spine injuries lead to systemic issues in the body. Our lawyers understand how cervical spine injuries can impact all areas of a person’s life, and we take that into account when pursuing compensation for our Oklahoma City clients.
Depending on their specific losses, accident victims may be able to hold liable parties accountable for the following types of damages:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Cost of ongoing therapy and/or rehabilitation
- Cost of assistive medical devices
- Lost wages
- Loss of wage earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
Contact Us
When a car accident results in a cervical spine injury, liable parties should be held accountable for injury damages. If you or a loved one has suffered economic or non-economic losses related to a cervical spine injury, we invite you to discuss your case with lawyers at the Tawwater Law Firm, PLLC. To schedule a consultation at our Oklahoma City law firm, send us a message online, or call (405) 607-1400.
