Neck Injury

Often the result of motor vehicle accidents or other forceful bodily trauma, neck injuries such as whiplash occur when one's neck is subjected to an abrupt impact which prompts unusual, unnatural movement. Auto insurance carriers provide more claims compensation for this type of injury than for virtually any other, as legions of drivers and passengers complain of this type of neck injury each year following accident events.

Common Causes of Neck Injuries

Though this type of injury is often associated almost exclusively with car accidents, individuals are susceptible to serious neck injury while participating in a broad array of potentially hazardous activities. Whiplash and similar harms can result from any type of movement, from riding a bike to rolling along on a skateboard, as long as the impact sustained is sufficient to force an individual's head in an abrupt movement opposite of the prevailing momentum. These injuries can result from participation in contact sports, on carnival rides, perhaps even during vigorous dancing. The precise physiological trigger of whiplash and related injuries is not completely clear, though a leading hypothesis is that such harms result from an overextension of the spine which occurs when the sharp, forceful movement creates neck distortion.

Automobile Accidents

Far and away, the bulk of whiplash and related injuries are the result of relatively low-speed car accidents, typically those happening when the automobiles are traveling between 6 and 12 miles an hour. Individuals afflicted with prior health problems or degenerative skeletal conditions are more vulnerable to whiplash and related injuries than most people. Additional traits affecting the likelihood that whiplash will result from any given incident include the age and weight of the auto occupant, the size and type of vehicle involved, the head position at the moment of collision, and the safety equipment in use upon impact.

Whiplash Symptoms

For whiplash sufferers, the intensity of symptoms will likely depend on the force of the impact causing the injury. Minor collisions may produce virtually no symptoms at all, while forceful crashes may bring serious, long-term consequences, sometimes even permanent ones. Symptoms indicating the presence of whiplash or other related neck injuries include discomfort in the neck, back and limbs, excessive stiffness and headache pain. Back and neck sensitivity and limitations of typical range of motion often result from moderate to severe impact incidents. Extreme pain and discomfort in the neck, cranial area and limbs may indicate additional, underlying injury to the spine, possibly to include bone breakage or joint dislocations.

Upwards of half of all individuals receiving a whiplash injury will continue to suffer from their symptoms three months after the injury incident, and nearly a quarter of injury victims will continue to experience pain six months following the impact. Many doctors believe that it is not uncommon for whiplash victims to require ongoing treatment for chronic symptoms and effects. Recent estimates suggest that 1 in 10 whiplash victims will fall into the category of permanently disabled.

Mild Neck Injury Treatment

Neck injuries resulting from minor impacts can be treated initially with cold compresses applied to the neck. Resting the neck in a comfortable, immobile position is also helpful. Ice works to reduce swelling and inflammation, thereby keeping pain and stiffening at bay. Physicians may order pain medication, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs to aid recovery. Those patients who have sustained a severe impact may be required to don a neck brace or cervical collar, and will likely need to engage in stretching exercises and perhaps a rehabilitation program. The most serious cases of whiplash related neck injury will result a need for ongoing medical care, rehabilitative services and a multitude of professional appointments and expenses.

Prevention

As the effects of a serious impact on an individual's head and neck are difficult to predict, the most effective mode of prevention is to take advantage of every possible piece of vehicle safety equipment. Seatbelts must be worn at all times and headrests should be adjusted to suit each passenger so that they provide sufficient support. While participating in other activities that implicate an enhanced risk of neck injury, it is critical to become familiar with available safety equipment and practices.