{"id":4804,"date":"2026-10-27T06:19:51","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T06:19:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.attorneyadanna.com\/resources\/spinal-cord-injury\/what-are-cervical-spine-injuries\/"},"modified":"2026-10-30T16:45:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T16:45:42","slug":"what-are-cervical-spine-injuries","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.attorneyadanna.com\/resources\/spinal-cord-injury\/what-are-cervical-spine-injuries\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Cervical Spine Injuries? Types, Causes, Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Understanding Cervical Spine Injuries After a Serious Crash<\/h1>

A plain-language guide to the types, causes, and symptoms of neck injuries, and why a prompt medical exam matters. Ugwonali Law Group represents injured people and families across metro Atlanta and Georgia.<\/p>

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By Adanna Ugwonali \u00b7 Published October 27, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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What are cervical spine injuries?<\/strong> They are injuries to the bones, discs, ligaments, or spinal cord in the neck. The cervical spine is the top part of the spine. Injuries there can change how a person moves, feels, and uses their arms and hands. Crashes and falls are common causes. This page explains the main types, warning signs, and the medical process in plain language. It is general information, not medical advice.<\/p>\n

What is the cervical spine?<\/h2>\n

The cervical spine is the upper part of your backbone, in the neck. It has seven vertebrae, called C1 through C7. These bones stack together to protect the spinal cord, a bundle of nerves that carries signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Discs sit between the bones and act as cushions. Ligaments hold the bones in place. Nerve roots branch out from the cord toward the arms and shoulders. The VA spinal cord injury overview<\/a> explains that the level and severity of an injury shape how movement, sensation, and other body functions are affected. Many parts fit into a small space. That means one injury can cause problems in more than one place.<\/p>\n\n

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If a crash or fall left someone you love with neck pain or numbness, our team can talk through the next steps with you in a free case review. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

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Types of cervical spine injuries<\/h2>\n

The main types are fractures, ligament injuries, disc injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Each affects the neck differently, and some happen together.<\/p>\n

Fractures.<\/strong> A fracture is a break in one or more vertebrae. Doctors look at whether the bone can still hold its alignment, because that affects treatment. A review of cervical spine fractures<\/a> describes how these breaks are divided and classified.<\/p>\n

Ligament injuries.<\/strong> Ligaments are tough bands that hold bones together. A sprain or tear can happen even when no bone is broken.<\/p>\n

Disc injuries.<\/strong> A damaged or herniated disc can press on a nerve root. That pressure can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm.<\/p>\n

Spinal cord injuries.<\/strong> This is damage to the spinal cord itself. It can affect movement, feeling, and body functions. The effects depend on where the injury is and how severe it is.<\/p>\n

Common causes, including crashes and falls<\/h2>\n

Cervical spine injuries often come from sudden, forceful movement of the head and neck, or a direct blow to the head. Car and truck crashes are a common cause of this kind of force. Pedestrians struck by vehicles can also suffer neck injuries. The PMC fracture review<\/a> covers the common causes of these fractures in more detail.<\/p>\n

Falls matter too. A slip and fall or trip and fall on unsafe property can cause a head or neck impact. Georgia law says an owner or occupier of land must use ordinary care in keeping the premises and approaches safe for people invited onto them (O.C.G.A. \u00a7 51-3-1<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Signs and symptoms to watch for<\/h2>\n

Neck pain, stiffness, numbness, tingling, or weakness can all point to a cervical spine injury. Some people also have headaches or trouble turning the head.<\/p>\n