driver stepping out of auto accident with an injured neck

Have you suffered a neck or spine injury in Florence, South Carolina? Was the accident someone else’s fault? At Jebaily Law Firm, we know how life-altering these injuries can be, yet how reluctant liable parties and insurers often are to pay fair compensation. That is why we are committed to helping people hurt through the fault of others assert their rights and demand the money due to them.

For five decades, our firm has stood up for injured people in South Carolina. Let us stand up for you. Contact us today for a free consultation with a neck injury attorney in Florence, SC.

Why Should I Hire a Neck Injury Lawyer?

Hiring a Florence neck injury lawyer offers many advantages over pursuing your case alone. Neck injuries can be difficult to prove because they often involve damage to soft tissue that does not appear on scans. 

Our experienced neck injury attorneys know how to use available evidence to build a compelling case for compensation and, moreover, how to present a strong case to an insurance company, judge, or jury. We know the related medical standards of care as well as the causes, symptoms, and treatment of neck injuries. While we work on your case, you will be free to focus on your rest and recovery instead of filing paperwork and dealing with insurers. 

Common Causes of Neck Injuries

Anything that leads to a quick, sudden, or jerking movement of the neck can cause damage to its delicate structures. These types of movements are often the result of trauma caused by:

Types of Neck Injuries

The neck has the important function of supporting the weight of the head, while also allowing the head to move in multiple directions. Unfortunately, the neck is less protected than the rest of the spine, making it vulnerable to injuries like:

  • Soft tissue injuries include contusions to the nerves, ligaments, tendons, and muscles in the neck. They can greatly decrease range of motion and cause radiating pain.
  • Whiplash is a type of injury caused by the head suddenly jerking backward and forward beyond its normal range of motion. While its painful symptoms occasionally subside in days or weeks, they frequently last much longer and cause significant impairment.
  • Spinal cord injuries  are caused by pressure, fracture, or dislocation of the vertebrae surrounding the spinal cord. It can cause many issues, such as the weakening of the arms and legs and even paralysis.
  • Herniated or ruptured discs occur due to tearing or rupturing of the cervical vertebrae (bones in the neck). When severe, the soft tissue between the vertebrae can herniate and put pressure on the spinal cord or a nerve. This can cause nerve compression.
  • Neck fractures are breaks of the cervical vertebrae.

Signs and Symptoms of a Neck Injury

Neck injuries can result in a range of symptoms that can take hours, days, or longer to manifest. Some of the most common include:

  • Stiffness is perhaps the most common symptom of a neck injury. Even minor neck strains may result in stiffness.
  • Headaches can arise if neck muscles and ligaments move beyond their normal range of motion, a condition commonly referred to as “whiplash” due to the whip-like movement of the head and neck.
  • Numbness may indicate a more serious problem requiring medical attention. You should see a doctor as soon as possible if the numbness is combined with a loss of strength in your arms or hands or shooting pain in a shoulder or down an arm.
  • Decreased motion is related to stiffness, since a seriously stiff neck can make it difficult to move your head normally. If you experience any decreased ability to move your head that lingers, you should seek medical care.
  • Muscle spasms and pain are often signs of a sprain or strain. When the neck is damaged, these spasms and pain can radiate into the shoulders and upper back.
  • Bruising and swelling may indicate a cervical dislocation. This is an injury to your neck ligaments that causes two or more cervical vertebrae to separate from one another abnormally.

Treatment of Neck Injuries

Depending on the type and severity of the damage, medication, therapy, and immobilization are commonly used effectively to treat neck injuries. Some forms of less severe neck pain respond positively to these types of treatment. However, these treatments are insufficient for many more severe injuries, which may require surgery and long-term rehabilitation. 

Seeking Damages for Neck Injuries

Neck injuries can affect you financially as well as physically and emotionally. A permanent neck or back injury can drastically change your life. If your injuries permanently affect your ability to work and enjoy life normally, it is crucial that you seek compensation to protect your future. Retaining the services of an experienced neck injury attorney to help you assert your rights can help ensure that you address these critical changes.

Our experienced personal injury attorneys are ready to help you pursue damages (compensation) for the following losses:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Lost future earnings
  • Mental distress
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of consortium

Remember that in South Carolina, you have three years from the date of your injury to seek compensation through a lawsuit. If you file after this deadline, the at-fault party can move to have the case dismissed as untimely, causing you to lose your right to demand compensation in court. Beyond this deadline, though, there are other practical reasons to pursue your claim as soon as possible, including the availability of valuable supporting evidence.

Get Help from Our Florence Neck Injury Attorneys

If someone else caused you to suffer neck injuries in Florence, South Carolina, contact Jebaily Law Firm today. We are ready to evaluate your case for free during an initial consultation. If you decide to work with us, we will not charge a fee unless we secure compensation for you. Call or reach out to us online today to put our decades of experience handling personal injury cases to work for you.