Neck injuries are one of the most serious types of harm caused by car crashes. Such injuries can be extremely painful and debilitating. Furthermore, in some cases, victims with neck injuries may require surgical treatment.
You should visit a doctor immediately after suffering a neck injury to determine if surgery is required. Some common types of neck injuries that may require surgery include pinched nerves, compressed discs, and cervical fractures. Failure to seek proper medical treatment could cause your injuries to worsen and may inhibit your ability to recover payment for the harm you incurred.
If you suffered a neck injury because of a car crash, get help navigating the complex road to recovery. Reach out to our experienced Aberdeen car accident lawyers today by calling Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291. Our attorneys can review your case for free.
Common Types of Neck Injuries that Require Surgical Treatment
Car accidents can lead to a wide array of neck injuries. The following are common types of neck injuries that require surgical treatment:
Pinched Nerves
Pinched nerves are a common type of injury that requires surgery. Sometimes referred to as cervical radiculopathy, this is a condition that involves excess pressure being placed on one of the nerve roots in the neck. Pinched nerves can also lead to downstream issues involving pain in the shoulders and arms. Furthermore, those with pinched nerves may also experience debilitating migraine headaches. Our Annapolis car accident lawyers can help plaintiffs with pinched nerves seek payment any surgical operations they require because of their injuries.
Spinal Cord Compression
Sometimes referred to as cervical myelopathy, spinal cord compression is another type of injury that often requires surgery. This is a condition where the spinal cord becomes compressed or irritated. In some cases, car accidents will cause victims to develop spinal cord compression.
There are multiple different surgical operations that may be used to alleviate this condition. If suffered spinal cord compression because of a car accident, our attorneys can help find the right surgeon for you.
Broken Necks
Lastly, broken necks are common type of injury caused by car accidents that regularly requires surgical treatment. There are seven bones in the cervical spine, and they are often broken because victims sustain hard impacts with objects inside of their vehicles during collisions. Complex operations may be required to treat broken bones in the neck. Our car accident lawyers can help plaintiffs who sustain such injuries recover compensation for the harm they sustained.
Common Types of Surgeries Used to Treat Neck Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
There are multiple different operations that may be used to treat neck injuries caused by car accidents. The type of surgery required in your case will depend on the type of injury you sustained. Our experienced Arnold car accident lawyers can help victims pursue compensation for the cost of any of the following operations:
Spinal Fusion
Many neck injuries caused by car accidents require victims to undergo spinal fusion surgery. This is a type of operation that involves permanently fusing to or more vertebrae together. There are three different types of spinal fusion surgery that can be performed:
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
- Posterior cervical discectomy and fusion
- Extreme lateral interbody fusion
The recovery time for spinal fusion surgery can be very long. Our car accident lawyers can help plaintiffs who underwent the aforementioned operations recover payment for the physical pain and emotional anguish they endured.
Laser Disc Repair
Laser disc repair is another common type of surgery that is used to treat neck injuries after car accidents. This type of operation is performed using an endoscope to reach the site of pain without stabilizing joints or removing ligaments. Laser disc repairs are minimally invasive and have a relatively quick recovery time. Still, victims who require this operation may incur a great deal of economic and non-economic damages. Our attorneys can help plaintiffs who need laser disc repairs build their cases against at-fault drivers.
Laminectomy
Laminectomies are also a common type of operation used to treat neck injuries caused by car accidents. The lamina is the part of the vertebra that connects the spinous process and the transverse process. Simply put, they are bony arches that stick out from the back of the spine. During a laminectomy, the lamina is entirely removed from part of the spine in order to alleviate painful symptoms.
By removing part of the affected area, this operation creates more space for the spinal cord. However, this type of operation can also make the spine less stable. If you suffered a neck injury because of a car crash, our car accident lawyers can refer a physician who will determine if you need a laminectomy.
Artificial Disc Replacement
Furthermore, many car accident victims will require artificial disc replacements to address their neck injuries. An artificial disc replacement is a type of operation that removes a deteriorated or damages disc and replaces it with an artificial one. In most cases, this surgery will only be recommended after patients have attempted multiple non-surgical alternatives for treatment and have not found relief.
This type of surgery can be very effective at alleviating pain, but it may produce complications. For instance, the artificial disc can be knocked out of place and dislocated. Furthermore, the artificial disc may become infected or weaken over time, requiring additional procedures. Our attorneys can help plaintiffs who require artificial disc replacements hold negligent motorists responsible for the great deal of harm they caused.
Common Causes of Car Accidents that Cause Severe Neck Injuries
There are several potential causes of car crashes that cause severe neck injuries. For example, such accidents may stem from any of the following forms of negligence:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Tailgating
- Illegal lane changes
- Running red lights
- Improper left turns
If you suffered a neck injury because of a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for any surgical treatment you require. Our Baltimore car accident lawyers can help build your case against the at-fault motorist.
If You Suffered a Neck Injury Because of a Car Accident, Our Attorneys Can Help
If you incurred a neck injury because of a car crash, seek assistance from our experienced Bel Air car accident lawyers by calling Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 to review your case for free.