How Long Can Neck Pain Last After a Car Accident?

After a car accident, various types of neck injuries can occur, ranging from mild to severe. They typically include:

• Whiplash: This is the most well-known neck injury from car accidents. It occurs due to the sudden back-and-forth movement of the neck, typically in rear-end collisions. It can strain muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck.
• Cervical radiculopathy: This injury involves damage or disturbance of the nerve function when the nerve roots near the cervical vertebrae are compressed. It can cause pain and loss of sensation along the nerve pathway into the arms and hands.
• Cervical fracture: This is a fracture of the cervical vertebrae or the bones in the neck. It often results from a high-impact collision and requires immediate medical attention due to the risk of spinal cord injury.
• Disc injury: The impact of a car accident can cause herniation or bulging of the discs in the cervical spine. These discs act as cushions between the vertebrae, and their damage can lead to pain, numbness, or weakness in the neck and arms.
• Spinal cord damage: In severe cases, a car accident can result in damage to the spinal cord in the neck region. This can lead to partial or complete paralysis.

For many people, neck pain from whiplash resolves within a few days to several weeks. Most people with whiplash recover from the injury within about three months. However, some people may experience prolonged symptoms lasting for several months or even longer.

More severe whiplash injuries can lead to longer recovery times. In cases where symptoms persist for longer than six months, the condition is often classified as chronic. Chronic symptoms may include persistent pain, stiffness, and headaches.

Can whiplash cause permanent neck pain?

Whiplash can potentially cause permanent neck pain. It depends on the severity of the injury, your health, and the timeliness and quality of the treatment you receive. In some cases, the soft tissues in the neck may sustain damage that doesn’t fully heal. People who experience chronic neck pain after a car accident often feel ongoing pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.

It’s not just the car accident itself that leads to neck pain. In many cases, there are risk factors that contribute to the development and severity of a neck injury. These include:

• Impact force: The intensity of a collision directly affects the extent of trauma sustained by the neck. High-speed crashes or accidents involving multiple vehicles are more likely to result in severe neck injuries and prolonged pain.
• Mechanism of injury: The direction of impact, the angle of collision, and the use of seat belts and airbags can influence the type and severity of neck injuries sustained.
• Prior neck injuries: People with a history of neck problems may be more susceptible to prolonged neck pain following a car accident.
• Overall health: Underlying medical conditions, such as arthritis or osteoporosis, can exacerbate neck pain and delay recovery.
• Early intervention: Seeking prompt medical attention after a car accident can mitigate the severity of neck injuries and improve prognosis. Delayed diagnosis and treatment may prolong recovery and increase the risk of chronic pain.

How do you treat chronic neck pain from whiplash?

Treating chronic neck pain from whiplash typically involves a multi-faceted approach. That includes the following treatment strategies:

• Rest and recovery to allow your body time to heal.
• Heat and cold therapy to relax sore muscles or reduce swelling and numb more acute pain.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. 
• Prescription painkillers or muscle relaxants for optimal pain relief.
• Physical therapy to strengthen neck muscles, improve flexibility, and restore range of motion.
• Corticosteroids or lidocaine injections to reduce inflammation and pain in the affected area.
• Chiropractic care, which involves manual adjustments to align the spine and alleviate tension.
• Acupuncture to provide pain relief and muscle relaxation.

If you were involved in a car accident, it’s best to seek immediate attention if you haven’t already done so. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Even if you don’t feel any neck pain, a doctor can identify your injury, provide an official diagnosis, and begin treatment before the injury worsens.

To get compensated for damages relating to your car accident and neck pain, you’ll need to file a claim. First, you must report your car accident to your insurance company. Keep your statements factual and to the point and only provide the date, time, location, parties involved in the crash, and injuries you sustained. Avoid talking about fault or blame.

Next, seek help from an experienced car accident lawyer and avoid speaking to the other driver’s insurance company. They can inform you of your rights, investigate your car accident, gather strong evidence to support your claim, and negotiate with insurance companies.

In the meantime, make sure to follow all of your doctor’s recommendations, attend all appointments, and adhere to the advice of your attorney. Keep records of all medical documents, receipts, appointment logs, and prescriptions. Also, keep pay stubs and a journal of your daily pain and suffering.

If you’re suffering from neck pain after a car accident, a Premiere Attorney in your area can help you get the compensation you deserve. Just fill out the contact form below and a lawyer will get back to you to set up a free legal consultation.

Best of all, there are no upfront or hidden fees when you hire a Premier Car Accident Lawyer. They operate on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay unless they get a positive outcome for your case.