A neck injury car accident is common for many New Jersey drivers, and it can range in severity from benign to serious or life-threatening. 

This blog post will discuss common neck injuries after a car accident and will offer guidance on navigating the complex claims process.

Types Of Neck Injuries In Car Accidents In NJ

Below are the most common neck injury car accident:

Whiplash

Whiplash is a common neck injury in car accidents, particularly in rear-end collisions. The sudden impact causes the head to whip back and forth quickly, leading to strained or torn ligaments, muscles, and other soft neck tissue.

The symptoms of whiplash can sometimes take several hours or even days to appear fully. These symptoms may include:

• Neck pain and stiffness 
• Headaches at the base of the skull 
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision 
• Fatigue
• Concentration or memory problems

You should seek medical attention immediately after an accident involving potential whiplash injuries because early diagnosis could improve your outcome.

Herniated Discs

Herniated discs are also common neck injuries in car accidents, especially in high-impact collisions. 

This type of injury happens when the soft inner core of a spinal disc rupture or leaks out through the outer layers, causing pressure on the surrounding nerves and leading to pain and discomfort.

If you experience symptoms like severe neck pain after an accident, seek prompt medical attention. Also, consult an experienced personal injury attorney if you think liability might lie with another party.

Cervical Fractures

Cervical fractures are common in high-impact collisions or when occupants aren’t wearing seatbelts.

These fractures, also known as broken necks, involve damage to the cervical vertebrae – the bones making up the spinal column in the neck region. Cervical fractures are serious neck injuries and always require fast medical attention. 

For example, one New Jersey resident suffered a devastating cervical fracture after being involved in a rear-end collision with a trucking company's driver on the freeway.

The person needed extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation before being able to return to work. 

Making a Claim For Neck Injuries In NJ

If you’ve suffered from a neck injury in a car accident in New Jersey, and want to make a claim, it’s important to follow the right steps and contact the correct people. 

Here’s how to claim for neck injuries in New Jersey:

Gather Evidence And Documentation

If you've been involved in a car accident that caused a neck injury, you should gather as much evidence and documentation as possible to support your claim. 

This can involve a wide range of items including: 

• Medical records 
• Receipts for any treatments or medicines bought as a result of the injury
• Photographs of the scene and injuries sustained 
• Witness statements
• Dashboard camera footage
• Police reports
• Doctors’ notes

Seeking legal representation from a personal injury attorney specializing in car accidents can also help you gather all the necessary evidence and present it effectively during settlement negotiations or trial.

However, time is of the essence when collecting evidence, so don't delay in seeking out any witnesses or documenting injuries before they heal.

Seek Medical Treatment And Professional Legal Representation

If you've been in a car accident that resulted in a neck injury, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. 

This allows for proper diagnosis and treatment of your injury, and also establishes documentation that you can use if you decide to pursue a personal injury lawsuit.

Aside from seeking medical attention, it’s also worth consulting with a professional legal representative with experience handling car accident cases.

Understand Fault And Compensation For Damages

If you’ve sustained neck injuries in a car accident, you must understand who is at fault and what compensation for damages you may be entitled to. In New Jersey, the rule of comparative negligence means that fault can be shared among parties involved in an accident.

A skilled attorney can help you determine fault and identify all potential sources of compensation for damages such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering. That said, you must understand that the outcome of your case may depend on who was at fault for the accident, so having expert legal representation is essential.

For example, if another driver was speeding and ran a red light, but you were distracted while driving and also contributed to the accident, each party will be assigned a percentage of the fault. The compensation for damages will then be adjusted accordingly.

Hiring an experienced NJ car accident lawyer can also help in navigating the claims process and negotiating settlements with insurance companies or filing lawsuits if necessary.

Contact a NJ Car Accident Lawyer About Your Case

If you've suffered a neck injury in a car accident in New Jersey, you must take action as soon as possible.

This involves seeking medical treatment immediately and gathering evidence for your claim. Consider seeking professional legal representation to help navigate the process and understand your rights. Compensation for a neck injury claim after a car accident can include the cost of medical bills, lost wages and other damages.

The average settlement for a neck injury in a car accident varies based on the total value of your medical bills, lost wages and intangible losses, like pain and suffering. 

For victims suffering the long-term effects of a neck injury, the claims process could be challenging. Many insurance companies may attempt to deny or devalue your claim. Avoid settling after the first offer or quickly after the accident. If you settle too early, you run the risk of not being compensated for future medical bills or lost wages due to the ongoing care you may need.

There is no law requiring you to have a lawyer when filing a personal injury claim after an accident. However, working with an experienced attorney who understands neck injury claims can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Why risk being unfairly compensated and not having recourse to fix it? When you hire a NJ car accident lawyer from our team, you pay nothing upfront. We work on contingent fees that are only collected if we win your case. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.

Contact Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, for a free consultation. With our proven track record of success and our commitment to client care, we can turn your setback into a comeback.