Signs Your Neck Pain Could Be A Traumatic Brain Injury
Bill Allen | April 30, 2024 | Brain Injuries
After suffering an accident, one of the most common issues people experience is neck pain. It’s particularly prevalent after accidents that cause whiplash, which as many as two million Americans experience every year. Neck pain, however, could point to more serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury.
If you’ve been in a car accident or any other accident that left you with neck pain, there are some signs to watch for that can warn you of a TBI.
What Is A Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a sudden external force is strong enough to move your brain within your skull. TBIs can happen as a result of an object penetrating the brain, like a piece of skull or glass, in which case only that part of the brain is affected.
Blunt force can cause TBIs, too, with car accidents and slip and fall accidents being common culprits. Blunt force could lead to TBIs that affect many areas of the brain.
Neck Pain Complications Pointing To A Traumatic Brain Injury
One of the most common symptoms that can point to a TBI is if you’re experiencing persistent pain. You could feel pain at the base of your skull or on the upper part of your neck.
This pain can cause:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Light sensitivity
- Sound sensitivity
The pain generally tends to get worse when you move. It can begin right after the accident, or it can start days or even weeks later.
If you experience disorientation, confusion, or dizziness, you may have a TBI. You may also have trouble remembering the events leading up to the accident.
Some people hear ringing in their ears as well as develop a sensitivity to smells. You may find yourself struggling with balance and coordination, too.
If you experience tingling or weakness in your neck, hands, fingers, or legs, you might have a TBI.
In some people, TBIs can present with behavioral changes, including changes in mood that lead you to feel irritable, anxious, or even depressed.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries That Present As Neck Pain
Falls are by far the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries. They lead to almost half of all TBI-related hospitalizations in the U.S. Falls tend to occur most often in younger and older age groups, but anyone can experience them.
Car accidents are also common causes of TBIs that can present as neck pain. The force of a vehicle colliding with another or with other objects can lead you to hit your head or can make your brain move in your skull. This can cause bruising and other damage.
Explosions and blasts can cause TBIs, too. If an object hits you with enough force, it can result in concussions and even more serious injuries. Assaults might also lead to TBIs.
Getting Help After A Traumatic Brain Injury
If you’ve been battling neck pain that doesn’t seem to go away or that appears with other symptoms, it’s essential that you turn to medical professionals to understand if there’s a more severe injury at play. Living through an accident that results in a traumatic brain injury often means needing extensive medical care. If the accident occurred because of someone else’s negligence, you need to turn to brain injury lawyers in Gainesville, FL, to help you. With the right representation, you have a better chance of getting the compensation you deserve for what you’ve suffered.
Contact Our Gainesville Personal Injury Law Firm in North Central Florida
If you need legal assistance, contact the Gainesville personal injury lawyers at Allen Law Firm at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have three convenient locations in North Central Florida:
Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Gainesville office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652
Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Downtown Gainesville
621 W University Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601
(866) 928-6292
Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258
