If someone mentions TMJ disorders to you, you probably think of the jaw pain that many teeth-grinders often complain of. TMJ, or temporomandibular joints, are the joints that connect your lower jaw to your jaw. People with chronic TMJ pain often habitually grind their teeth or have a jaw misalignment that places stress on these joints, which can often result in pain and trouble chewing.
After a car accident, many people complain of jaw pain or discomfort, but usually chalk it up to the stress of coping with the aftermath of the wreck—after all, dealing with insurance companies is enough to make anyone clench their teeth. Since a huge number of accidents involve a rear-end collision that may not have resulted in much more than whiplash, people usually assume that this jaw pain will subside in time.
TMJ Injuries: A Common Result of Whiplash and Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are extremely common, and are behind many of the serious whiplash injuries sustained in wrecks. The forces your head and neck experience as they are quickly whipped in opposite directions can cause a number of injuries that are extremely painful, most commonly concussions and soft tissue damage.
TMJ injuries are often a painful effect of whiplash, usually linked to injured muscles in your neck or direct damage to or dislocation of the jaw itself. If you have never experienced stress-related jaw pain or any of the following symptoms prior to your accident, you may have suffered a TMJ injury:
- Jaw begins to click or lock
- Pain and difficulty chewing
- Chronic headaches and ear pain
- Tightness or pain in your neck and shoulder muscles
If You Have Suffered a TMJ Injury As a Result of a Wreck, You Need an Attorney Now
Like many soft-tissue injuries, insurance companies often disregard claims for TMJ injuries. If another driver rear-ended you and you are now experiencing TMJ pain, you may be entitled to compensation for your injury. Discuss your case today in a free consultation with Augusta car accident injury lawyer Chris Hudson. Schedule your consultation now by calling or clicking on the live chat feature to be connected with a firm representative.