Back pain after an auto accident can point to a variety of injuries of the neck and back area, some more serious than others. Common injuries can include but are not limited to:
Whiplash
Whiplash is a common neck injury after car accidents. A whiplash injury results from the rapid back-and-forth motion of the head during impact and is often responsible for neck and back pain after getting rear-ended. Mild whiplash, although uncomfortable, is a relatively harmless injury that typically goes away with time, rest, and over-the-counter pain medication.
However, according to the Mayo Clinic, moderate or severe whiplash can cause long-lasting complications for accident victims, including chronic pain and loss of motion range. Treatments for severe cases of whiplash can be extensive and costly, potentially involving chiropractic treatments, physical therapy, prescription pain medication, and neck injections.
Strains and Sprains
Soft-tissue injuries of the back and neck area can be common in all types of car accidents. The human body tends to absorb a great deal of stress during a collision, particularly during high-speed or rear-end collisions. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments can get torn, stretched, and pulled in an accident, resulting in back pain, stiffness, and painful muscle spasms. Back pain from soft tissue injuries can be excruciating and interfere with a victim’s ability to maintain their regular work or home life routine for several weeks or months.
While strains and sprains are not life-threatening, a pulled ligament or muscle can take months to heal fully and could result in high medical costs and income loss for an accident victim.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can be life-threatening, disabling, and emotionally distressing for a car accident victim. Spinal cord damage and severance are some of the most serious injuries a victim could suffer in an accident, potentially leading to permanent paralysis. An individual with extensive spinal cord damage may never work again or live independently without daily assistance.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease occurs mainly due to the natural aging process. However, being involved in a car accident can exacerbate disc disease considerably. The term degenerative disc disease can refer to a variety of conditions where one or several discs between the vertebrae are damaged or deteriorated, such as:
- Herniated discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Pinched nerves
- Sciatica
- Osteoarthritis
Herniated discs, in particular, are common car crash injuries resulting in backache after a car accident. Treatment for herniated discs and other degenerative disc diseases can include pain management, physical therapy, and surgical treatments.
You Could Have Legal Recourse
Back pain after a crash, if connected to a serious injury, can result in astronomical medical treatment costs. A significant back injury can also cause emotional distress and have devastating effects on an accident victim’s career and home life. Moreover, overall life enjoyment may be greatly reduced as victims may not be able to partake in hobbies and activities that they used to enjoy before the injury.
However, a personal injury lawsuit could compensate you not only for your medical costs but also for the emotional effects, physical suffering, and other consequences of an injury on your life. Contact Morgan & Morgan today to find out how you could get justice.