Back Injury After a Car Accident

After a car accident, many people experience back injuries that can significantly affect their daily lives and well-being. These injuries deserve careful attention, as they can range from temporary strains to more serious conditions that may require ongoing care. While recovery times vary for each person, taking proper precautions like wearing a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a vehicle can help protect you from severe trauma.

If you’re dealing with back injuries from a car accident, you should know that help is available. Don’t wait to seek legal guidance – contact a car accident attorney at Regan Zambri Long today for a free consultation to understand your rights and options for compensation.

Is It Normal to Have Back Pain After a Car Accident?

Back pain can be expected following a car accident. However, it is essential to consult a medical professional to determine whether you have sustained any back injuries. Even if you only have minor back pain, symptoms of back injuries can be delayed in their onset. So, whether you have minor or severe back pain, it is wise to seek a medical evaluation after a motor vehicle collision to rule out any serious injuries.

Causes of Back Pain After a Car Accident

Back pain following a car accident can stem from several distinct injuries. Whiplash occurs when the impact forces the neck to snap back and forth rapidly. The spinal cord may sustain trauma during the collision. Many accident victims experience muscle spasms as the body’s natural response to protect the injured area. Additionally, the force of impact can cause spinal discs to bulge or herniate. Sprains and strains of the back muscles and ligaments are also frequent injuries,

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries encompass damage to the spinal cord or nerve damage at the end of the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries can range from minor to severe, and they are classified into two categories: complete and incomplete. In a severe case, the injury may cause a complete loss of body function below the injured part of the spinal cord, whereas, in incomplete injuries, a person may be able to regain some level of function.

Muscle Spasms

Back spasms are common and can be caused by an injury sustained in a car accident. Back spasms can be severely debilitating, causing intense pain that restricts movement and interferes with daily activities. The sudden, involuntary muscle contractions can make walking, standing, or even sitting comfortably difficult or impossible. Even mild back spasms can affect sleep, work performance, and basic tasks like getting dressed or driving. However, the severity and duration vary significantly between individuals, with some experiencing temporary discomfort while others face longer-term mobility challenges that require medical intervention.

Bulging or Herniated Discs

Simply put the discs in your spinal canal act as cushions that rest between the vertebrae or bones that form your spine. When you get into a motor vehicle accident, these discs can become herniated or bulge. In some cases, you may not know that you have herniated or bulging discs because they may not cause any pain at first.

Back Sprains or Strains

Muscle sprains and muscle strains differ slightly. Back sprains affect the ligaments in the back, whereas back strains affect the muscles or tendons. Whether you have ligament damage or damage to the muscles and tendons in your back, you can experience pain. The recovery process for back strains and sprains is usually simple. It requires rest, followed by the reintegration of everyday activities over time to the level you can handle.

Symptoms of a Back Injury Following a Car Crash

Following a car accident, you can experience pain in different areas of your back. You can experience pain in the upper portion of your back, which is the cervical spine, in the middle portion of your back, which is the thoracic spine, and in the lower portion of your back, which includes the lumbar spine, sacrum, and coccyx.

There can be a wide range of both immediate and delayed symptoms of a back injury following a car accident. Immediate, common symptoms may include:

• Neck, back, or head pain
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Loss of sensation, burning, or tingling in any area
• Headache
• Balance issues
• Trouble breathing
• Loss of ability to move fingers or toes

Delayed symptoms may include:

• Prolonged headaches
• Pain, tenderness, swelling, or bruising in the abdomen
• Weakness
• Persistent tingling or numbness in the extremities
• Impaired hearing or vision
• Pinching feeling or pain in the neck, back, or shoulders
• Stress or anxiety

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms after an accident, consult a medical professional and a car accident attorney promptly. An experienced auto accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long can help protect your rights while you focus on recovery.

How Can Long Back Pain Last After an Auto Accident?

Depending on the type and severity of your car accident injuries, you can potentially have chronic pain that continues for years. Again, it all depends on the type and severity of the spinal injuries you sustain. However, seeking medical attention for a spine injury can help aid your healing process and potentially expedite your recovery time.

What Treatment Is Available for Back Pain?

The medical treatment available for back pain depends on your injury type. Effective treatments include physical therapy, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroid injections, spinal surgery, and more. These standard treatment options for back pain are:

• Physical therapy: Back injuries can result in you having a limited range of motion. Physical therapy exercises can help you regain the ability to perform everyday movements so you can return to normal activities after your car accident. Physical therapists work with patients over time to help them rebuild muscle strength lost due to injuries. This treatment is used to help improve physical function so patients can resume living an everyday life.
• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication: For minor back injuries, your doctor may recommend using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication to manage your pain symptoms. Some injuries do not require invasive treatments like surgery and simply require rest and the treatment of symptoms instead. Typical pain relievers that you can buy at your local pharmacy can be effective in helping you treat the pain levels you experience from minor injuries.
• Corticosteroid injections: Your doctor may suggest a corticosteroid injection for chronic pain. Receiving steroid injections can help you live a pain-free life, and the process of administering them is relatively short. An epidural steroid injection is often used to treat sciatica. If you are experiencing chronic back pain, you should consult your healthcare provider to determine if corticosteroid injections are a suitable treatment option for you.
• Spinal Surgery: If you have spinal cord injuries or spinal fractures that are severe enough, you may need spinal surgery. This is an invasive treatment option. However, it may be necessary and even the best treatment option to promote your healing in some cases.

You must consult your primary care physician or an orthopedic doctor to receive proper treatment for your injuries. When you receive care from a medical professional, they will be able to take the appropriate steps to assess whether you have an injury, like performing an MRI, x-rays, CT scans, or other tests they deem necessary.

While focusing on your medical treatment, let a motor vehicle accident attorney at Regan Zambri Long handle the legal aspects of your case. Call today for a free case evaluation.

What Are My Legal Options for Back Pain After a Car Accident?

If you’re suffering from severe back pain after a car accident, you have important legal rights to pursue compensation for your injuries. Many personal injury attorneys offer free consultations to evaluate your situation and determine whether you have grounds for a claim. An experienced car accident lawyer can negotiate with insurance companies, manage legal filings, and help secure compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

To build a strong case, you must maintain detailed documentation of all medical treatments, injury records, lost work time, and rehabilitation costs. Your attorney can use this evidence to demonstrate the full impact of your injuries and fight for maximum compensation, whether through settlement negotiations or court proceedings if necessary.

Most car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they win compensation for your case. Given strict legal deadlines for filing claims, it’s important to contact an attorney promptly for a free case evaluation to protect your rights and discuss your options for pursuing damages.

If you or a loved one sustained back injuries following a car accident, contact the car accident attorneys at Regan Zambri Long for a free case evaluation.