People who are involved in motor vehicle crashes may have been subjected to a severe impact, which causes trauma to the body. For some, the impact causes the head to fling about, which can lead to damage to the structures within the neck.
Neck injuries can range from seemingly minor injuries like whiplash to catastrophic injuries like spinal cord injuries. Regardless of how minor a neck injury may seem, it’s critical that any victim who suffers this type of injury gets proper medical care.
Quadriplegia is possible
When a spinal cord injury occurs, it can affect the entire body that’s below the level of the injury. This means that a neck injury can lead to paralysis of all four limbs. But, that’s not the full extent of what happens. Organs in the body can also be affected. For example, a higher neck injury may lead to someone being dependent on a ventilator because of an inability to breathe on their own.
Long-term effects are common
Neck injuries, even if they seem minor, can lead to long-term effects. People who have this type of injury may need medical care, including physical therapy. They may be unable to return to their former job duties because of the ways the neck injury is affecting them.
Individuals who have neck injuries because of someone else’s negligence may choose to seek compensation to help cover those costs. State law sets time limits for getting the case filed, so it’s critical to act swiftly.