The traumatic forces involved in a car accident can cause neck injuries in several ways. First, a violent collision can force a car occupant’s head and neck to rapidly jerk back and forth or side to side. This jerking motion can cause strains and sprains, inflammation that leads to pinched nerves, or whiplash injury. A car occupant may also suffer a neck injury in a car accident if their neck suffers a hyperextension or a bending of the head-neck joint beyond its usual range of motion. Hyperextension may occur from the impact of an airbag, from hitting one’s head or neck on a side pillar, or in a rollover accident where the car lands on its roof and causes an occupant to fall out of their seat and land on their head and neck. Hyperextension might also occur if the car accident crushes the vehicle, trapping occupants inside with their heads and neck twisted in an awkward position. A traumatic force or impact on the neck can also cause injuries such as broken vertebrae or spinal disc herniation. Finally, a car accident can cause a neck injury if an occupant experiences a penetrating injury. Flying debris or a piece of the car may pierce an accident victim’s neck and cause tissue damage.