Back and Neck Injuries in Austin TX
Your posture when riding a motorcycle and the lack of impact protection makes back and neck injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident common and often severe.
Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the most common neck injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident, especially a rear end accident. During impact, your neck is forced beyond its normal range of motion, which can result in a stretched or torn ligament (cervical sprain) or a stretched or torn muscle or tendon (cervical strain). Symptoms of whiplash include:
- Tenderness and/or swelling in the neck
- Neck pain
- Muscle spasms on the side or back of the neck
- Limited range of motion (difficulty moving your head)
- Headache
- Shooting pains from the neck down into the shoulder or arm
Treatment for whiplash usually includes immobilizing the neck as much as possible, rest and non-prescription anti-inflammatory drugs or pain relievers. For more severe pain, doctors may prescribe something stronger. However, it is very important that you follow your doctor’s whiplash treatment plan. Untreated whiplash can lead to more severe back and neck injuries and complications.
Other common Back and Neck Injuries
Crash impact can cause other back and neck injuries like herniated disks and misaligned vertebrae either directly or as a result of untreated whiplash. Herniated disks and misaligned vertebrae can put pressure on the spinal cord, causing pain in the back that may travel the length of your extremities. Over time, the friction and pressure may cause cervical and spinal disks to degenerate, causing more pain as vertebrae grind against each other when you move.
Because many back and neck injuries following an accident may not appear serious, you may think you don’t need to see a doctor. But when you don’t get proper medical care, you may actually be making your injuries worse. Not to mention, you don’t get the evidence you need for your insurance claim. An Austin motorcycle accident attorney can advise you on the steps to take to make sure you are taken care of physically and financially.
Ray King is an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Austin, Texas. He’s committed to fighting the insurance companies so you get fair compensation for your back and neck injuries. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact attorney Ray King today!