June 10, 2025 | Brain Injuries
Some of the most significant injuries you can suffer in accidents are traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These can leave you with everything from cognitive to motor function problems, and in the worst cases, these could be debilitating enough to cause permanent disabilities, even death.
Arguably, the most challenging aspect of these injuries is that they’re not always obvious. If you have been in a car accident, a slip and fall incident, or any other event that resulted in you looking up things like “head and neck pain after hitting head,” you may have sustained a brain injury.
Learn more about TBIs and why neck pain can be a warning below.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A TBI occurs when an external force causes your brain to shift in your skull, disrupting its typical function and resulting in chemical changes that impact the rest of your body. The mildest type of TBI is a concussion, but “mildest” is not entirely forthcoming; a concussion could, in fact, end up causing all manner of disruptions to your life.
When Neck Pain Can Point to a Traumatic Brain Injury
If you’ve been in a car accident and develop neck pain over the next few days, you’ll likely assume that you’re experiencing whiplash. Not all neck pain points to simple soft tissue injuries, though; sometimes, it can serve as a warning that you’ve suffered a more serious impairment.
Some of the key signs to watch for include the following:
- A sensation that your neck can’t support your head
- Constant stabbing pain
- Pain that gets worse with movement
- Severe headaches
- Nausea
- Stiffness
- Tingling or weakness in your limbs
- Dizziness and balance issues
Additionally, a soft tissue injury like whiplash won’t cause mood disturbances or cognitive issues, but a TBI will. Therefore, if you notice that you’re more irritable than usual following your accident, you may have suffered head trauma. The symptoms will typically get worse over time with a TBI, especially if you’re not taking time to rest.
The moment that you realize you’re struggling with symptoms that impact your daily life, it’s essential that you get medical attention. Your doctor will be able to recognize whether you suffered a TBI or not and begin offering appropriate treatment.
Why Neck Pain Could Occur After a TBI
Neck pain after head bumps often arises because of the location of the injury. If you hit your head at the base of your neck, for example, inflammation could cause neck pain. The force of the blow can lead your head to move rapidly back and forth, causing the tissues in your neck to strain.
In some instances, neck pain can occur as part of post-concussion syndrome, a set of symptoms that persists long after suffering a concussion (typically as a result of disturbances to your nervous system). These disruptions can include inflammation and tension in the neck.
Taking Legal Action After a TBI
If you’ve suffered a TBI because of someone else’s conduct, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim against them. These cases are complex, however, especially if the symptoms you’re experiencing aren’t typical, so you shouldn’t begin them without assistance.
With personal injury lawyers by your side, it can be easier to demonstrate that the other party caused your head and neck strain. In turn, you may be able to recover losses to address your medical expenses, lost income, and emotional distress.
Contact a Port St. Lucie Brain Injury Lawyer at Graves Thomas Injury Law Group for a Free Consultation
Don’t wait to get the help you need. If you’re suffering from persistent neck pain and suspect it may be tied to a traumatic brain injury caused by someone else’s negligence, contact our experienced brain injury lawyers at Graves Thomas Injury Law Group to schedule a free consultation today.
We have three convenient locations in Florida, including Vero Beach, St. Petersburg, and Port St. Lucie.
Graves Thomas Injury Law Group – Vero Beach
2651 20th St
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 758-5735
Graves Thomas Injury Law Group – St. Petersburg
200 Central Ave Suite 304
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(772) 404-3858
Graves Thomas Injury Law Group – Port St. Lucie
10805 SW Tradition Square Unit 024A
Port St. Lucie, FL 34987
(772) 617-8814
