Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers | September 19, 2025 | Personal Injury
Neck pain is one of the most common complaints after car accidents in West Virginia. But pain in your neck isn’t always limited to a pulled muscle or a strained ligament, especially if you hit your head during the crash. In some cases, neck pain is an early red flag of a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Brushing off such an injury can lead to much more serious problems down the road. If you were hurt in a Charleston car crash, it’s essential to understand the link between neck pain and TBIs.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Neck Pain After a Head Injury
Your body may be trying to tell you something if you’re dealing with neck pain after hitting your head. Head injuries and neck strain often go hand in hand, especially when there’s a sudden jolt involved.
However, TBI symptoms aren’t always immediate. Some show up days or even weeks after the initial impact. Neck pain might seem like a small issue at first, but if it doesn’t go away, gets worse, or comes with other symptoms, it could point to something serious going on inside the skull.
How Head and Neck Strain Can Hide Bigger Problems
The muscles, tendons, and nerves in the neck are tightly connected to the brain and spinal cord. When the head whips back and forth — like in a rear-end collision — it doesn’t just strain the neck. The brain can suffer impact, too.
That kind of force can cause not only neck strain, but also a concussion or more severe brain injury. When both happen at once, the symptoms can blur together. People often focus on the stiffness in their neck and miss the signs of what’s happening deeper.
Understanding Neck Pain After Concussions
Neck pain after a concussion isn’t unusual. In fact, it’s fairly common. But when neck pain lingers or changes, it might be pointing toward complications beyond the concussion itself.
Stiffness, sharp pain, tingling, or weakness in the arms could mean the injury is affecting the spinal cord or nerves. Combined with confusion, memory trouble, dizziness, or vision changes, neck pain can be a signal that something more serious is going on neurologically.
The Link Between Neck Trauma and Headaches
A neck trauma headache often feels different from a regular headache. It can start at the base of the skull and radiate up or out toward the forehead and temples. These headaches can feel sharp, dull, or throbbing.
What makes them concerning when a brain injury is involved is that they’re often connected to inflammation inside the skull. If you feel consistent pressure, become sensitive to light or sound, or experience nausea with your headache, it’s worth seeing a healthcare provider to check whether your neck trauma is more than surface level.
Other Signs Your Neck Pain Could Be TBI-Related
Aside from pain, several other symptoms can appear when there’s a brain injury involved, including:
- Trouble focusing or remembering things
- Feeling off balance or dizzy
- Mood swings or irritability
- Sleep issues
- Slurred speech or delayed responses
- Numbness or tingling in the limbs
If neck pain is present along with any of these signs, it shouldn’t be ignored. Such symptoms might not seem urgent at first, but together, they can build a case for a serious underlying issue.
Early Treatment Is Vital for Head Injuries
Many people find themselves searching for “Neck pain after hitting head” following a car crash in West Virginia. Not all neck pain is an indicator of brain injury, but when it is, you want to catch it early to improve your chances of recovery during treatment.
Seeking medical care now can help you avoid long-term complications later, as well as support any legal claims for compensation you file in the future.
Contact Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you’re experiencing persistent neck pain after a crash—especially with headaches, dizziness, or cognitive changes—don’t wait. Get checked by a medical professional right away, document your symptoms, and then contact Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC for a free consultation. We can explain your options, preserve crucial evidence, and help you pursue the compensation you need to focus on healing.
For more information, please contact an experienced lawyer at Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have convenient locations in Columbus, OH, and Charleston, WV.
Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers – Columbus, OH Office
20 E Broad St Suite 1000, Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 587-8423
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Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers – Charleston, WV Office
10 Hale St Suite 501, Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 720-1000
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