Did you suffer a neck injury in an accident that was caused by someone else? If so, you shouldn’t be left with a mounting pile of medical bills and other financial losses. The Morristown neck injury attorneys at The Terry Law Firm are here to help you demand justice.

At The Terry Law Firm, our Morristown back and neck injury lawyers have more than 50 years of combined legal experience handling complex personal injury claims, including neck injuries like pinched nerves and bulging discs. Our dedicated team has helped clients across Tennessee recover millions of dollars in compensation.

Get a free initial consultation today by calling one of our three conveniently located offices in Tennessee or filling out our contact form online.

The Most Common Types of Neck Injuries

According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), these are some of the most common types of neck injuries:

  • Neck fractures: A neck fracture occurs when something causes the cervical vertebrae — the parts of your spine closest to the head, near the base of the skull — to break. Also known as a broken neck, a neck fracture is a severe injury that requires immediate medical attention. Neck fractures can be fatal, and even when they aren’t, they often result in significant loss of bodily function for the victim. This can include total paralysis below the neck. The damage from a neck fracture could be permanent.
  • Neck sprain: The ligaments in our neck connect different bones to one other, helping to keep those bones stable. When these ligaments are damaged or torn, the result is a neck sprain. A sprain can result from overexertion or strenuous physical activity. It can also occur in motor vehicle accidents or other incidents that put intense force on the ligaments in the neck.
  • Pinched nerves: A pinched nerve in the neck is the result of bones, muscles, or tendons (fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones or other bodily structures) pressing up against nearby nerves. When this happens, the pressure on the nerve causes intense pain in the neck. The pain can be so intense that it’s difficult to move the neck or head at all.
  • Bulging discs: The cushioning discs between the vertebrae in the neck can protrude and press against nerves, causing pain, numbness, and other problems.
  • Whiplash: Whiplash injuries happen when something causes someone’s head or neck to violently snap forward and then be jerked back. The motion is similar to that of someone cracking a whip (hence the name “whiplash”). These accidents can put tremendous pressure on the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your neck, causing severe pain. Whiplash injuries are also particularly insidious because they don’t always show up right away after an accident.
  • Cervical spondylosis (arthritis in the neck): As we age, the discs in our spinal cord that help protect and stabilize the vertebrae begin to deteriorate. The actual bones in your neck can deteriorate as well. In either case, the result is pain and stiffness in the neck. In severe cases, cervical spondylosis can narrow the space along which nerve signals travel down your spinal cord to the result of your body. This can cause more severe symptoms such as decreased coordination, tingling or weakness in your limbs, and loss of control over your bladder and bowels.

Accidents That Cause Neck Injuries

Some of the most common types of accidents that lead to neck injuries are:

  • Motor vehicle accidents: Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents are some of the most common causes of neck injuries. In particular, rear-end collisions are a leading cause of whiplash injuries. The crash impact can force occupants of the front vehicle forward before their seatbelts pull them back into their seats. Neck injuries are also common in cases where someone is ejected from a vehicle in a crash, or thrown from a motorcycle, as they may land hard or at an awkward angle, causing an injury.
  • Bicycle accidents: Neck injuries are common when bicyclists are struck by motor vehicles. Cyclists have little protection if they’re hit by something that big and heavy. If the bicyclist is sent flying from the impact, the victim is much more likely to sustain a severe neck injury.
  • Pedestrian accidents: It’s no surprise that pedestrian accidents are a common cause of neck injuries. Both the initial impact and the force from the victim hitting the ground can cause a neck injury.
  • Construction accidents: Construction sites can be quite dangerous, both for workers and anyone passing by the area. Falling objects, malfunctioning equipment, and other accidents can all result in a neck injury.
  • Workplace accidents: Many neck injuries occur at work, even in seemingly low-risk jobs. A person can injure his or her neck at work by slipping on a wet surface, tripping over cords or loose objects, being hit by falling objects, or as a result of repetitive strain.
  • Accidents on dangerous property (e.g., slip and falls): When property owners don’t take enough care to ensure that their premises are safe for visitors, the results can be disastrous. Slippery surfaces, loose cords, and other hazards can create a dangerous environment and lead to a neck injury in a fall.

Compensation for Neck Injury Victims

If you’ve suffered a neck injury in an accident that was caused by someone else, you could be owed compensation. With the help of an experienced neck injury lawyer in Morristown, you could pursue payment for:

  • The cost of medical care related to the accident, including future care you may need
  • Any wages lost due to treatment and recovery
  • Loss of future earnings if you are disabled
  • Pain, suffering, and mental anguish

Tennessee’s statute of limitations on personal injury claims gives you just one year from the date of an accident to file a neck injury lawsuit. So it’s important to talk to a lawyer quickly if you’re considering legal action.

Contact a Neck Injury Lawyer from The Terry Law Firm

The Morristown neck injury attorneys at The Terry Law Firm are here to help if you’ve been hurt in an accident that could have been prevented. Get a free initial consultation by calling us or reaching out online. We won’t charge you anything unless we recover compensation for you.