Your spine is a complex, intricate structure. It’s composed of many bones, joints, muscles, and nerves. When just one structure is compromised, it can affect the integrity of your entire spinal system. That’s why suffering from a back injury after a car accident can be so devastating. The pain, weakness, and potential paralysis of a back injury can severely affect your quality of life.
Why Are Back Injuries So Common After Collisions?
Unfortunately, back injuries are very common after car accidents. Your back absorbs a significant amount of pressure and energy in most collisions, whether they are low-impact or high-impact accidents. Even a rear-end collision from a short distance has the potential to cause back pain and discomfort.
However, many people tend not to notice their injuries immediately after a car accident. The effects of adrenaline can mask any pain or discomfort you might feel later on. That’s why it’s critical for you to seek treatment after an accident, no matter how minor your injuries may seem.
If you don’t treat a new back injury early on, it can gradually develop into a more serious injury with devastating consequences. Those with chronic back injuries can experience severe pain and trouble engaging in hobbies or working as a result.
Signs to Watch Out For
You should go to the hospital, even if you feel no pain after the collision. Even if you get treatment, you might feel some lingering discomfort afterward. Here are a few signs that you definitely shouldn’t ignore when it comes to your back:
- Muscle spasms
- Pain
- Radiating pain in your back and legs
- Stiffness and limited mobility
- Numbness or tingles in your hands, legs, feet, or back
- Trouble walking, standing, or otherwise moving
5 Types of Back Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
Spinal Cord Damage
Spinal cord injuries are some of the most dangerous. Intense pressure can cause significant damage to your spine. In worst case scenarios, they can lead to permanent nerve damage or paralysis. You will certainly need immediate medical attention in these cases.
Compression Fractures
Compression fractures occur when intense pressure on the spine leads to cracks in your bones. Severe compression fractures can damage your spinal cord and nerves, leading to severe consequences.
Whiplash
When your head and neck suddenly whip forwards and backward from the force of a collision, this event is known as whiplash. These sudden movements can place a large amount of strain on your neck muscles, tendons, and ligaments, even causing tears. Your neck is largely an extension of your back — so whatever affects your neck can affect your spine as well. That’s why whiplash often causes lasting back pain.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Similar to whiplash, soft tissue injuries affect your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. However, these injuries are not limited to just your neck — they can directly impact your head, back, and joints as well.
Slipped Discs
Slipped discs are also known as herniated discs. Since your back absorbs such a large amount of force during a collision, that force can cause your discs to rupture. Discs are protective cushions that lie between each of the individual bones in your spine. While the rupture in and of itself tends to be painless, the disc can press on spinal nerves, which causes tremendous pain, weakness, or numbness in the back.
Regardless of which back injuries you’ve sustained in a car accident, an experienced car accident lawyer can represent you and obtain the largest compensation possible to reduce your stress after a collision. Without the help of a professional, you could be left with thousands in hospital and car repair bills. For a free consultation, call Pacin Levine, P.A. at 305-760-9085.
