Understanding Common Types of Back Injuries Resulting from Car Accidents

Back injuries are common complaints after car accidents. The injuries range in severity and impact on the victim's life. So, what should you do after a back injury from a car accident? The best thing is to seek medical examination and treatment to reduce the risk of complications. You should also contact a back injury car accident lawyer to follow up on the compensation process as you receive treatment. Here are some types of back injuries from car accidents and their symptoms.

Types of Back Injuries from Car Accidents

A car accident can cause several types of back injuries. The severity of injuries sustained depends on various factors, including the impact and direction of the crash and whether accident victims had their seat belts fastened. That notwithstanding, the common types of back injuries include;

Thoracic Spine Injury

The thoracic spine refers to the upper and middle sections of the backbone. It stretches from the bottom of the neck to just below the rib cage. Car accidents can cause Injuries along this area of the spine. When the thoracic spine section is injured, you may experience decreased or complete loss of sensation in the legs and arms, general limb weakness, breathing difficulties, and loss of bladder control. 

Lumbar Spine Injury

The lumbar section refers to the spine area around the lower back. If you suffer lower back pain after a car accident, chances are that you sustained a lumbar spine injury. Injuries around this section can range from sciatica to fractures. Physiotherapy can manage sciatica injuries, but fractures may require surgical interventions.

The severity of lumbar spine injury symptoms depends on whether you have a fracture, sprain, or strain. However, people involved in lumbar spine injuries from car accidents report severe back pain or pressure, numbness in the legs, and walking challenges.

Facet Joint Injury

The spine has two facets between each vertebra, meaning you have numerous facet joints. A Car accident can dislocate, fracture, or inflame one or more facet joints, leading to severe back pains. You may also need to turn the whole body to face right or left after a facet joint injury. Other symptoms of facet joint injury may include difficulties when standing or walking upright.

Fractures

Car accidents can also cause vertebral (backbone) fractures. Depending on the crash impact, the fractures can affect one or multiple locations. Some fractures can heal, while others result in permanent paralysis.

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries from car accidents range in severity. Some can be complex and require specialized treatment, while others heal without intervention. The rehabilitation procedures for severe injuries are expensive and time-consuming. In some cases, spinal cord injuries can cause temporary or permanent paralysis. You should seek immediate medical interventions after a spinal cord injury from a car accident to reduce the risk of complications.

Symptoms of a Back Injury from a Car Accident

Timely medical interventions can reduce the risk of complications from a back injury. Seek medical help when you experience any of the following back injury symptoms after a car accident.

• Back pain
• Paralysis
• Stiffness
• Muscle spasms
• Changes in bladder or bowel control
• Limb weakness

Compensation for a Back Injury in a Car Accident

The law allows you to seek compensation for a back injury from a car accident, and you can receive economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover medical bills and other tangible losses, such as lost wages. Non-economic damages compensate you for pain and suffering and other intangible losses. While you are entitled to compensation, a lawyer will help you navigate legal hurdles and get the compensation you deserve.

Contact a car accident lawyer immediately after you receive medical stabilization to begin the compensation process.

Were You Recently in A Car Accident and Now Have Back Pain? Contact The Experts at Leo & Oginni Trial Lawyers to Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve 

Back injuries from car accidents can be severe or mild. However, you should seek prompt medical examination and treatment any time you sustain a back injury from a car accident. While some treatment procedures can be expensive, our back injury car accident lawyers can help you get compensation to reimburse all medical expenses. 

Contact Leo & Oginni, Personal Injury Lawyers, today at (713) 280-3204 or schedule your free consultation by contacting us online. 

Image Credit Shutterstock/Andrey_Popov