Nobody plans on getting into a car accident. Accidents happen suddenly, and often without warning. A car accident can be over in seconds, but its effects can last a lifetime. Back pain after a car accident is one of the most frequent complaints people have when they’ve been injured in an accident. Some back injuries are minor and can be taken care of with a simple treatment (or no treatment at all), but sometimes the pain lingers and can be severe.
In fact, back pain sticks around more often than not. More than 70 percent of people who visit the emergency room in the aftermath of a car accident report experiencing pain six weeks later. This pain can be the result of muscle damage, damage to the ligaments and tissues, or even spinal damage. If the pain lasts long enough, it can be considered chronic pain.
For some people injured in accidents caused by another person’s negligence, it is possible there are grounds for a legal case. If you want to find out if you have a case, contact us. With over 20 years of experience, our accident and injury attorneys at The Khalidi Law Firm have the tools and the knowledge to help you get what you deserve. Give us a call to schedule a free consultation today.
Car Accidents and Back Pain
Back pain from a car accident can result from muscular damage. Whiplash — when the force of an accident jerks the head and neck forward and back in a rapid motion — is also a frequent cause of back pain. In whiplash, the damage comes from the overstretching of the ligaments in the neck and back.
Car accidents can also cause serious spinal damage. There are several types of spinal injuries:
- Spinal Fractures
Spinal fractures result from pressures that pull the vertebrae apart in an accident. They can result in severe spinal cord injuries. Depending on the location and extent of the injury, spinal fractures can cause moderate to severe back pain. At worst, a fracture of the vertebrae in an accident may result in partial or total paralysis if the spinal cord itself is damaged.
- Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis happens when one of the vertebra shifts under the stress of an accident. This can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the lower body. Extreme cases can lead to a loss of bladder or bowel control. However, it’s also possible that someone with this injury might suffer no symptoms from the shifted vertebra at all, or that symptoms might not appear until years after the accident.
- Disc Herniation
The discs between our vertebrae absorb and contain most of the pressure on the back, so they may take much of the force of an impact in an accident and suffer damage. A herniated disc injury may cause nerve pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the area affected.
Lower Back Pain After a Car Accident
Lower back pain is especially common in the aftermath of a car accident. The symptoms of lower back pain can be mild to severe. The pain may resolve itself on its own, or it may get worse over time. Lower back pain comes in a variety of different types:
- Dull, achy pain, limited to the lower back
- Stinging, burning pain, distributed from the lower back, down through the thighs, and sometimes down into the feet
- Muscle spasms
- Pain that worsens after standing or sitting for a long time
- Difficulty standing up straight, walking, or standing up.
Any and all of these types of injury can be a cause of chronic pain. Those who experience chronic pain so severe that it disrupts their day-to-day activities, work or social time can find it hard to move forward with their lives after an accident. Our chronic pain injury attorneys are litigators with trial experience who have helped our clients get the compensation they deserve.
Chronic Pain from Back Injuries
Whether the onset of your pain was caused by a vehicle accident, a fall, or lifting something heavy, when that pain becomes chronic, it can change your life. Chronic pain may last for months, or even years. It ranges from a mild annoyance to pain so debilitating that it makes even basic household chores impossible.
There are many reasons for doing this.
First, the pain may be a sign of a serious injury—including spinal cord injuries.
Second, your doctor may be able to recommend or prescribe medication to help you manage the pain. You may also be able to learn about physical therapies that will help you recover from the injury.
Third, in the event that you pursue legal action, it will be important for you to have medical documentation that supports your case of pain and suffering. Don’t be tempted to keep quiet about the pain. It’s important to report it and document it.
When Your Pain Is Caused by Negligent Actions
Should the cause of your back pain be the neglectful actions of others, you may have a legal case. If your back pain is the result of an accident, contact The Khalidi Law Firm. We are experienced litigators in the Tucson area and help our clients get the compensation they deserve. For a review of your case, contact our compassionate and capable Tucson injury lawyers at The Khalidi Law Firm. For a free consultation, call us today.