The most common injuries stemming from a motor vehicle accident are back and neck injuries. Even seemingly minor collisions can leave you with chronic pain and costly medical expenses. If you or a loved one suffered a back injury after a car accident that was caused by someone else, a qualified personal injury attorney, such as one of the attorneys at Florin|Roebig can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Car Accident Back Injury Symptoms
After a long day of work, you are stopped at a red light anxiously awaiting it to turn green so you can put a delicious meal on the stove and enjoy time with your family. Suddenly, you feel the impact of another driver colliding into your rear bumper. You get out of the car and breathe a giant sigh of relief when you notice that the damage is minimal. Luckily, you don’t feel any immediate pain, so you decline medical care. A week passes and you start feeling discomfort in your lower back and wonder what to do next.
Delayed back pain and neck pain is an all too often occurrence following a motor vehicle accident. Symptoms relating to back pain may not present themselves for days or even weeks after the initial injury occurs. Many car accident victims may dismiss their lumbar pain as mild and assume it will resolve on its own. However, it is important to avoid this mistake by seeking a thorough evaluation by a qualified medical professional to determine the extent of your injuries. Do not overlook any of the following symptoms:
- Lower back pain, mid back pain, or upper back pain
- Shooting pain or pain that radiates down the legs
- Numbness or tingling in the upper or lower extremities
- Back stiffness or weakness
- Uncontrolled muscle spasms
- Reduced mobility or difficulty walking
- Headaches or dizziness
Common Causes Of Car Accident Related Back Pain
The back encompasses most of the upper body and is particularly vulnerable to the violent impact of a car accident. When a crash leaves you with back pain, it is important to seek medical attention to determine what is causing your back pain. Some injuries, like mild back sprains typically heal in a matter of weeks. Other back injuries may require extensive medical treatment and surgery. The most common types of back injuries resulting from a car crash include:
Whiplash
Whiplash is among the most common types of car accident injuries, especially in a rear-end crash. The sudden force from the collision can cause the neck to rapidly jolt back and forth beyond its normal range of motion, resulting in a soft tissue injury to the ligaments, tendons or muscles of the neck. Although, whiplash is thought of as a minor injury, it can cause long-term pain and suffering. Most cases of whiplash can be treated with over-the-counter medication, ice, and rest.
Herniated disc injury
It is not uncommon for car accident victims to suffer from a herniated disc injury. This type of injury occurs when one of the rubbery spinal discs between the vertebrae slips out of place and irritates the surrounding nerves. Herniated discs can be diagnosed with an MRI or CT scan of the lumbar spine.
The first phase of treatment often includes medications to control the swelling and pain associated with the herniation, rest, ice, physical therapy, and steroid injections. Sometimes, surgical intervention is recommended when symptoms do not improve with conservative treatment.
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Spinal stenosis
Motor vehicle accidents can cause extreme stress on the spine and may lead to a condition known as spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal. Spinal stenosis can cause muscle weakness, balance issues, and partial disability. Conservative treatments include physical therapy, massage therapy, over-the-counter pain medications, and chiropractic care. When non-surgical treatments do not provide relief, surgery may be warranted.
Compression fracture
Compression fractures when a vertebra in the spine collapses. These types of injuries are more common in elderly people because their bones are generally more brittle compared to the bones of younger people. While most people recover from a compression fracture in a few months with minimal treatment, others may need surgery to get on with their life. Crash victims who suffer from a compression fracture often experience immense lumbar pain that can be debilitating.
Facet joint injury
Sudden trauma from an auto accident can lead to facet syndrome, which causes inflammation and pain in the lumbar facet joints. Facet joint injuries can be difficult to detect on an X-Ray and often need to be diagnosed with a CT scan. Symptoms of facet joint syndrome may include back pain, cervical pain, shoulder pain, and headaches. Medical treatment usually consists of medications such as anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers, physical therapy, facet joint injections, and radiofrequency ablation.
Spinal cord injury
A motor vehicle crash can result in an unexpected blow to the spinal cord, which has the potential to cause serious injury. Spinal cord injuries are characterized by damage to the spinal cord itself or the spinal nerves at the end of the canal. Of all the back injuries listed above, injuries to the spinal cord usually have the most long-lasting and devastating consequences. Depending on the extent and location of the damage to the spinal cord, outcomes can vary greatly:
- Cervical spinal cord injuries can cause loss of function in the arms, legs, and chest. These types of injuries can also affect respiratory function and bowel and bladder control.
- Thoracic spinal cord injuries commonly affect the chest, the torso, and the legs. Similar to cervical spinal cord injuries, thoracic injuries can affect respiratory function and bowel and bladder control.
- Lumbar spinal cord injuries usually have the greatest impact on the hips and the legs. These types of injuries can also lead to loss of bowel and bladder control.
- Sacral spinal cord injuries also affect the hips and the legs and can cause loss of bowel and bladder control.
Some people are able to fully recover from a spinal cord injury, while others may never have the same quality of life. In the worst cases, traumatic spinal cord injuries can lead to permanent paralysis or death.
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What To Do After A Car Crash Leaves You With Back Pain
If you were recently the victim in a car accident and you are experiencing back pain, you must understand that the insurance company’s goal is to minimize the amount you are paid for your injuries.
The first thing you should do immediately following a car crash is get medical care. Even if you don’t feel any back pain at the scene of the accident, it is still a good idea to have it checked. The sooner you start treatment, the more likely you are to make a full recovery. Then, you should hire a top-rated personal injury law firm that has the resources, experience, and dedication to take on the big insurance companies.
The Most Common Types of Car Accidents That Cause Back Injuries
Rear-End Collisions:
When one vehicle hits another from behind, the sudden jolt often forces occupants’ bodies forward while their heads and necks lag slightly behind. This motion can strain or damage muscles, discs, and ligaments in the back, making rear-end crashes a frequent cause of back injuries.
T-Bone (Side-Impact) Collisions:
In a side-impact crash, vehicles are struck at right angles, causing occupants to experience lateral forces that twist the spine unexpectedly. Such unnatural movements may lead to severe back strain, herniated discs, or spinal fractures, especially for passengers sitting on the side of impact.
High-Speed Head-On Collisions:
Head-on crashes involve significant forward momentum abruptly coming to a stop. These forces can compress the spine and cause vertebral fractures, spinal disc issues, and serious soft-tissue injuries. The sheer force of a head-on impact can often result in long-term back pain and mobility issues.
Rollover Crashes:
When a vehicle rolls over, occupants are tossed in multiple directions. The rapid shifts in orientation and intense gravitational forces can twist or compress the spine in unnatural ways. This can lead to muscle tears, ligament sprains, fractured vertebrae, or even spinal cord damage.
Multi-Vehicle Pileups:
In pileups, a car may experience multiple impacts from different angles, each adding stress to the body. Occupants might be jerked forward, backward, and side-to-side in quick succession. Such repeated trauma can compound back injuries, leading to chronic pain or long-term spinal conditions.
Compensation For Your Back Pain
Don’t miss out on a significant cash settlement for your crash related back pain by hiring just any law firm out there. Having the right personal injury attorney on your side can help you recover adequate compensation for all of the following losses:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Lost income or loss earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment
Since 1985, the lawyers at Florin|Roebig have successfully represented many car accident victims with back pain. When the insurance companies don’t agree to give you fair compensation, we take your case to trial.
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Connect With An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you suffered a back injury that was caused by another driver’s recklessness, call the award-winning trial attorney’s at FlorinIRoebig to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation.
Our personal injury lawyers have collected millions of dollars against car insurance companies by working tirelessly on our client’s behalf.
