Surviving a car accident is something victims are thankful for. If you got out with your bones still intact, no sprains, and no visible trauma and wounds, you are indeed lucky. Unfortunately, many accident survivors end up with neck and back pain. Back injuries that result from car accidents can be detrimental to the spinal cord, the overall range of motion, and soft tissue for long periods or even permanently. If you suffer neck and back pain after being in a car accident, you may want to seek compensation for your injuries.
Working with insurance companies will not let you fully assess your damages and legal options. These companies will try to reduce their liabilities at all costs. But, by working with an experienced accident injury attorney Boca Raton, you will put yourself in the best position to establish a successful car accident case. By having an expert on your side, you can concentrate on your medical treatment and physical therapy.
Common Kinds of Neck Injuries
Some kinds of neck pain can turn into severe injuries if you don’t get proper medical attention as soon you notice symptoms. The following are the most common neck injuries victims of car accidents may sustain. These symptoms should not be ignored:
- Herniated disc. This injury puts your spinal cord and surrounding nerves under a serious amount of pressure. Ultimately, it can lead to significant, long-term pain.
- Whiplash. This neck injury occurs due to a forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck. It usually results from rear-end collisions, when the impact pushes your body forward and forces your neck to stabilize the head by sending it backward. Sometimes, the symptoms of whiplash don’t appear immediately.
- Pinched nerves. Seriously pinched spinal nerves can result in pain, muscle spasms, and numbness or tingling throughout the extremities. These injuries may require extensive amounts of pain medication, surgery, or chiropractic care.
Samuel Dordulian, a Los Angeles attorney who represents victims of all types of motor vehicle accidents, says that about 9% of all Americans suffer from chronic neck pain due to Low-Speed Rear Impact Collisions. “The force created in a rear-end crash, including low-speed rear-end collisions, is sufficient to cause injury to the vehicle’s occupants. In most cases there is no or very minor damage to the vehicles” he says.
Back Injuries Victims May Suffer in Auto Accidents
Back pain from a car accident can be associated with soft tissue injuries, spinal cord injuries, herniated discs, spinal stenos, lumbar spine injuries, and other injuries. Depending on how serious your back pain is, your doctor may recommend physiotherapy, medication, or surgery. Unfortunately, the entire ordeal is quite expensive. Recovery from these injuries can take a while and you may not be able to work for the entire duration.