Neck Pain After a Car Accident Could Mean a Traumatic Brain Injury
Neck pain after a car accident is quite common. You may experience neck pain immediately after a car accident, or the pain may arise after some time (hours, days, or weeks). Often, neck pain is shrugged off as whiplash, a common car accident injury that occurs due to the forceful, quick back-and-forth movement of the neck or a minor sprain. However, neck pain after a car accident could be an indication of something more serious, including a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Traumatic brain injuries require prompt medical attention. If not treated promptly by a medical professional, a TBI can have devastating consequences. Recognizing the potential link between neck pain and TBI is vital for ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment. In this article, we explore when neck pain after a car accident could indicate a traumatic brain injury.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury or TBI is an injury that occurs after someone suffers trauma to the head, such as a jolt or violent blow. Trauma to the head can cause damage to the brain. A traumatic brain injury can also occur after an object penetrates the brain, such as a shattered piece of skull or glass. The severity of a traumatic brain injury can range from mild to severe. A mild TBI may affect brain cells temporarily. On the other hand, a more serious TBI can cause bruising, bleeding, torn tissues, and other physical damage.
When Neck Pain After a Car Accident Could Mean a Traumatic Brain Injury
When a person suffers a blow to the head, their neck may also be impacted because the neck and brain are connected through the spinal cord. Also, the neurological effects of a traumatic brain injury might manifest as pain in the neck. However, neck pain after a car accident does not necessarily indicate a TBI. Neck pain may be an indication of a traumatic brain injury if it is persistent. You may experience pain at the skull’s base or near the neck’s upper part. This pain may show up immediately or hours, days, or weeks after your accident and may result in vomiting, headaches, nausea, sound sensitivity, or light sensitivity. Neck pain that tends to worsen as you move may be an indication of a traumatic brain injury.
The following are additional symptoms that may accompany neck pain that may be an indication of traumatic brain injury;
- Disorientation or confusion
- Weakness or tingling in the neck, arms, hands, arms, or legs
- Persistent ringing in the ears
- Slurred or confused speech
- Weakness or loss of coordination on one side of the body
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Blurred vision
- Change in sleep patterns
- Changes in mood and behavior, such as feeling depressed, anxious, or excessively irritable
If you are experiencing persistent neck pain and some or all of the other symptoms, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. When it comes to TBIs, every second counts.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you suffered a TBI in a car accident due to the negligence of another party, you have the right to seek compensation for your injury and damages. Our West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you with your compensation claim. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Fort Myers, Ocala, Orlando, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, Naples, Melbourne, Tampa, and Jacksonville areas.
Source:
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557
