CERVICAL NECK INJURIES
Auto Accident Attorney
investigating cervical neck & whiplash injury claims
Whiplash (or a cervical neck injury) results when the soft tissues—muscles and ligaments—in the neck extend beyond their typical range of motion. Whiplash is most commonly associated with rear-end auto collisions when a person’s head moves backward and then forward with sudden force. This type of injury is common in car accidents, sports injuries, cycling accidents or amusement park ride accidents.
Following an accident, the signs and symptoms of whiplash might be delayed or masked by a general feeling of unease. Symptoms of cervical neck injury or whiplash include headaches, back pain, neck stiffness, and shoulder pain.
It is important to be examined by a medical professional if you notice any physical changes in the days and weeks following any accident. Many patients with a cervical neck injury require pain medication, foam collars, and physical therapy.
The majority of whiplash patients improve within several weeks or months of the injury, but chronic stiffness and related disorders can persist for years.
A study published in the medical journal Neurology found that almost 8 percent whiplash study participants were plagued by issues like pain and stiffness after one year.
Failure to properly treat whiplash can lead to chronic pain, neurologic issues, and psychosocial symptoms including depression and anxiety.
Following a cervical neck injury, victims should contact an experienced lawyer to investigate the cause. Joe Lyon is a highly-rated and experienced personal injury attorney, well-versed in the science and economic impact such an injury has on the victim’s life.
Causes of Cervical Neck Injuries
Whiplash can result from any type of collision. Most injuries are linked to car accidents. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), whiplash is more common than any other type of car accident injury in the United States.
Whiplash occurs when the head is jolted forward and then snaps back, or unnaturally rotates to the side. Sudden jerking movements damage the soft tendons, ligaments, and muscles in your neck as a result of being stretched beyond the typical range of motion. Whiplash is sometimes referred to as a cervical acceleration-deceleration injury (CAD).
The most common causes of cervical neck injuries are:
- Auto Accidents
- Amusement Park Rides
- Horseback riding
- E-Scooter Accidents
- Cycling Accidents
- Bus Accidents
- Sports Injury
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ABOUT THE LYON FIRM
Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.
The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.
NO COST UNLESS WE WIN
The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.
Minor Accidents Can Have Serious Consequences
It does not always require a big collision to cause an injury. A study published in European Spine Journal concluded that car accident whiplash injuries are possible at speeds as low as nine miles per hour (15 kilometers per hour).
Individual cervical neck injuries largely depend on the size of a passenger, the direction of impact and the position of an injured victim. Smaller passengers are much more likely to sustain a serious injury. A slight female will experience two to four times the head linear acceleration as a large male in the same accident.
Whiplash is common in car accident victims, and is often wrongly dismissed as a minor or self-repairing injury. If an accident victim does not receive proper treatment for a whiplash injury, they may risk serious complications in the future.
Signs & Symptoms of Whiplash Injuries
Many victims do not feel pain immediately after an accident because the adrenaline of the situation masks their discomfort. After a few hours or days, a victim may begin to notice whiplash symptoms that can include:
- Neck pain—can range from mild to severe. It might be located in one spot or a general area. Usually pain from whiplash is caused by ligament or muscle strains, but can also be caused by damage to nerves, joints, or bones.
- Pain radiating through the back and upper shoulders
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Reduced range of motion
- Headaches
- Pain at the base of the skull
- Tinnitus—ringing in the ears
- Vertigo—feeling dizzy or faint
- Neck instability—resulting from stretched or torn ligaments or fractures
- Radiating tingling, weakness, or numbness—spinal nerve roots may become compressed or inflamed
The Long-Term Complications of Cervical Neck Injuries
Symptoms that last for over six months can be considered chronic whiplash. The discomfort and related disorders may lead to significant time away from work and a number of treatments with painkillers, muscle relaxants, physiotherapy, and nerve stimulation.
In the long term, severe cervical neck injuries can lead to osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, neurological issues and emotional problems. Lingering issues are not uncommon, though many patients and doctors fail to see the connection between a past injury and chronic pain and headaches that continue for years after an accident.
The symptoms of chronic whiplash may include:
- Back pain
- Pain and stiffness in the neck or shoulders
- Severe headaches
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Jaw pain
- Constant fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Ringing in the ears
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability
- Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs
- Depression or anxiety
Because whiplash is a soft tissue injury, it may be difficult to detect in diagnostic tests. Insurance companies may dismiss claims and deny coverage to injury victims. Also because of its often slow onset, many people don’t realize that they need or are eligible for compensation after suffering whiplash injuries. As an injury progresses, the small injury can have long-term effects that requires treatment.
If you suspect you may have whiplash after an accident, visit a medical professional and contact an experienced attorney to determine whether you are eligible for compensation to recover medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering damages.
Why are these cases important?
In the immediate aftermath of serious car accidents, victims are often injured and wondering about the cause of the crash, how they will pay for damages and medical costs, and how to recover compensation for lost wages and pain and suffering. After all injuries are treated by medical professionals, it is critical to start building a personal injury case with an experienced auto accident lawyer.
CONTACT THE LYON FIRM TODAY
Questions about Auto Accident Cases
Regardless of the cause of car accidents, victims deserve representation in order to help recover losses, and to identify the liable parties involved. Ohio car accidents may be the result of defective auto components, negligent motorists, poor road conditions or poor road design, among other risk factors.
A motor vehicle accident suit holds parties responsible for the injuries and damage caused, as well as alerting companies or insitutions of any necessary risks that may have caused the accident.
The process involves preserving evidence of the collision, getting witness testimony, and hiring accident experts to determine who was responsible for the auto accident.
Since most auto insurance policies are not capable of compensating someone injured in a catastrophic accident, it is advisable to contact and hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to properly investigate the case.
There are numerous causes of auto accidents on Ohio’s roadways, including driver negligence, driver fatigue, distracted drivers, driving and texting, poor road conditions, and unsafe highway design. Regardless of the primary cause of a car accident, it is important to investigate with experienced accident reconstruction experts and contact a Cincinnati Auto Accident Attorney to weigh your legal options.
One safety study concluded that negligent highway design and conditions are a factor in more than half the fatal crashes in the United States. Some common design flaws may include:
- Sharp Turns
- Poor Road Maintenance
- Blind Spots
- Poorly lit roadways
- Poor Signage
- Unsafe on and off ramps
- Excessive speed limit
- Narrow shoulder or no shoulder
Distracted Driving
Times have changed in recent years with so many drivers looking at their phones. Texting and driving is a huge issue, and even as it’s illegal, the problem persists. The number one cause of car accidents involve distracted motorists that divert their attention from the road. Drivers may talking on a phone, sending a text message, adjusting the radio or eating food. Any distraction for a few seconds can be the difference between a safe trip and an accident.
Driver Error
Whether a simple mind lapse that results in a driving mistake, or ignoring a traffic law, driver error is a leading cause of road accidents. Common driver errors are failing to signal a turn, drifting into a different lane, cutting off drivers, ignoring road signs, following too close, speeding, and failing to stop at signals.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Excessive speeding increases the risk of a traffic accident dramatically. As driver increase the rate of travel they significantly decrease their ability to adjust to traffic and other objects in the road. The faster a driver travels, the less stopping distance they will have.
Reckless driving includes unsafe lane changes, improper turns, tailgating, and racing.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Drivers under the influence of alcohol cause many car accidents every day. Almost a third (30 percent) of fatal car accidents in the U.S. are alcohol-related. Also, drug-related accidents are common. Even as states crack down on drunk driving, the number of drivers who drink and drive still present a problem. Victims of drunk driving accidents are likely to settle valuable cases.
Ignoring Traffic Signals
Negligent drivers run red lights and stop signs, and thereby risk causing accidents. Running red lights often causes high-speed side-impact collisions, which are particularly dangerous. Drivers in a hurry are some of the most dangerous motorists on the road.
Teen Driving Accidents
Young drivers and teenagers lack road experience and pose a serious risk. Teen drivers cause many car accidents, and drivers aged 16-20 kill nearly 8,000 people each year. Driver training and support is integral to creating a safer atmosphere on Ohio roads.
Ohio Driver Fatigue Accidents
It’s not only truck drivers that drive while extremely tired. There are a lot of drivers on the road that have sleep disorders, or have a changing work schedule that inhibits their driving ability. Many drivers on the road in Ohio are often too tired to properly operate their vehicle. They make poor driving decisions and create dangerous situations.
Road Rage Accidents
Road rage and aggressive driving can easily lead to an accident. If you observe a driver visibly upset, you are encouraged to keep a distance. If you tend to get angry with other motorists, remember that nothing good can come of driving more aggressively or speeding up to catch another driver in traffic.
Dangerous Ohio Roads
City authorities have a duty to clear roads of debris and snow and other materials. If an auto accident occurs due to city officials failing to create safe roads, a municipality can be held liable. Roads may also be unsafe due to poor road design and traffic signal placement. Contact The Lyon Firm if you suspect an Ohio road of being particularly dangerous. You may save the life of another Ohio motorist.
Unsafe Road Work
Work zones are very dangerous for both workers and drivers. Many work zones are poorly marked, poorly manned, and uneven pavement can easily cause an accident. Many road construction contractors fail to provide a safe driving environment, and any road work accident can be investigated following a collision.
Failure to Yield
Many roads are only as safe the drivers and traffic flow. When drivers fail to yield to cars or trucks, a collision can occur, leading to serious injury. All drivers must pay attention to all signage and yield to traffic, particularly on highway ramps.
Ohio Uber Accidents
Rideshare companies have produced a great deal of drivers who may be in a hurry to pick up fares, and can be overworked as well. Uber accidents and Lyft accidents are more and more common. Victims of rideshare and taxi accidents may have good accident claims against negligent drivers.
Ohio Pedestrian Accidents
With more distracted drivers come more pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians have a right to cross the street, and yet this has become a hazardous exercise. Crosswalk accidents and School Zone accidents can be severely dangerous and deadly.
Ohio Cycling Accidents
Ohio Cyclists have a right to share all roads except for freeways, but many drivers do not respect bicycles on the road. Cycling accidents should be investigated, as many motorists are guilty of aggressive driving around bicycles.
Some common injuries include the following:
Auto Accident Settlements
The Lyon Firm aggressively, professionally, and passionately advocates for injured individuals and families against negligent individuals or companies to obtain just compensation under the law.
DISTRACTED DRIVER
$1,000,000
(Brown County, Kentucky): Joseph Lyon was second chair a case involving a driver texting and driving when he crossed the median, killing a father of four. The case was resolved once discovery confirmed the cell phone records proved the texting-related incident. The settlement will pay for the surviving childrens’ education. The driver was likely facing additional criminal charges at the time of the settlement.
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
$495,000
(Cincinnati, Ohio): Joe Lyon was lead counsel in a $495,000 settlement. The case involved a motorcycle operator who sustained fractures of the calcaneus, talus, medial cuneiform, tarsal bones, and tarsometatarsal when a car ignored its driving lane and crossed into his right-of-way. Settlement provided repayment of medical bills of $20,000 and funds for future education to re-enter the work force in a less physically-demanding job.
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