What Are Some Common Back Injuries Caused by a Car Crash?

If you’ve suffered back injuries caused by a car crash, a back injury attorney in Falls Church, VA can help.

Back injuries attributed to car accidents often require extensive treatment, which can be costly. The injuries can leave the victim with long-term pain and anguish and can differ depending on the severity of the collision. Below are some common back injuries caused by a car crash.

1. Whiplash

When a person is involved in a car accident, whiplash is one of the most common injuries, and most damage is to the muscles, tissues, and ligaments in the neck. Whiplash often occurs during rear-end collisions with the force of the crash propels the head and neck forwards while the body remains stationary, forcing the head and neck to come to a sudden stop.

Whiplash symptoms are not evident immediately, taking a few hours or days to manifest. Moreover, they can vary from mild to severe, often needing physical therapy to aid with healing.

2. Spinal Fractures

Spinal fractures are attributed to accidents where a person is not wearing their seat belt properly, or the seat belts fail to work appropriately. This is because the upper part of the body is forced in one direction while the lower part remains still, leading to a fracture.

A compression fracture is one of the common types of spinal damage in which a fissure (small crack) develops along the vertebrae after an accident. The victim will experience significant pain and other symptoms. The pain and suffering might worsen when breathing, walking, sitting, or lying down. Muscle weakness, bladder issues, and numbness could also develop because of the compression fracture.

Treating spinal fractures is done differently depending on the type and severity of the damage. Some people are fortunate to recover with adequate rest and immobilization. For some people, recovery requires extensive surgery and physical therapy.

3. Herniated Discs

Your spine’s vertebrae are cushioned by several discs that can be damaged when subjected to substantial force in a car accident, causing them to shift. As a result, they compress nerves, and this leads to numbness and pain. It is a condition known as a herniated disc injury, or a slipped, bulging, or ruptured disc.

Treating slipped, bulging, or herniated discs often entails conservative, non-invasive methods that focus on addressing the pain to offer relief through physical therapy. Surgery might be necessary when the injury is severe and is affecting other vital body organs.

4. Spondylolisthesis

At times, fractures can exert force on the vertebrae, pushing them out of place, resulting in what is known as spondylolisthesis. It compresses the spinal canal or nerves causing difficulty walking, numbness, weakness, and pain.

Treating spondylolisthesis will depend on the displaced vertebrae’s location and the extent of the displacement. Physical therapy and surgery are among the advanced treatment options for this type of back injury.

5. Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is often a result of a direct impact when involved in a vehicle collision that causes the person to sustain asymptomatic spinal stenosis, which develops first before other symptoms follow.

Suppose the victim has vertebral height degeneration or a narrowing spinal canal due to age. In that case, trauma might cause them to feel symptoms many months later, making it hard for them to connect the issue with the accident. However, a spinal specialist can help determine if a car accident caused the spinal stenosis and recommend the best treatment options.

6. Spinal Cord Injuries

At times, low-speed accidents can also lead to spinal cord damage due to bruising or cuts caused by the collision’s impact. If the laceration is severe or the spinal cord is severed, this can lead to permanent paralysis.

A Back Injury Attorney in Falls Church, VA Can Help With Back Injuries Caused by a Car Crash

Back injuries can disrupt your way of life, making you have a tough time with work and other daily activities. Moreover, the damage can cause severe pain and will require costly treatment and a lengthy recovery period.

You can recover your expenses when you file for compensation. Consider working with an experienced Falls Church back injury attorney to help you with filing the insurance claim and determining the best way forward. The lawyer will review your case and gather crucial evidence to support your claim.

If you have sustained back injuries in a car accident caused by someone else, call our personal injury law firm in Falls Church, VA today. We will schedule a consultation with a skilled injury attorney so that you can learn more about your legal options as you pursue justice.

At Virginia Injury Law, our goal is to ensure your rights are protected. We will use our legal expertise and available resources to help you recover compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, as well as pain and suffering you are facing due to the back injury.

Schedule a free consultation with a back injury lawyer in Falls Church, VA today. We work on a contingency fee basis, so legal fees are only owed if we recover compensation for you.