Common Types of Back Pain Caused by Car Accidents

Unsurprisingly, Boulton Law Group spends a lot of time talking with people about their backs. Whether it is a soft-tissue injury or damage to the spine, back pain remains one of the most common car accident injuries sustained by our clients.

However, what does surprise some people is to learn that it does not take an especially violent car accident to cause a serious back injury.

In fact, we have helped a number of clients recover compensation for back injuries that were caused by minimal property damage car accidents, also known as MIST cases.

With this in mind, if a car accident has left you with any of the following types of back injuries, do not let the insurance company dismiss your claim or make you feel as though it is not legitimate.

Common Car Accident Back Pain & Injuries

Your back is a complex pathway of nerves, ligaments, muscles, discs, tendons, and bones. This bundle of parts stretches the length of your backside starting at the neck and ending in the pelvis.

Depending on the severity of your car accident, you may have incurred damage to one or more areas of the back, leading to any of the following injuries:

Herniated Discs

Discs are the shock absorbers of the spine, serving as a cushion between each of our spinal vertebrae. Without them, we would be unable to perform daily tasks with ease.

A herniation occurs when the force of a car accident causes one or more of the person’s spinal discs to become displaced. The shifting of the disc can result in a compression of the surrounding nerves which leads to pain and/or numbness. The pain from a herniated disc may also radiate into one or both of a person’s legs.

A large number of Boulton Law Group’s car accident clients treat for herniated discs, either with non-invasive physical therapy or, in extreme cases, through surgical intervention.

It should also be noted that herniated discs are sometimes referred to as a “bulging” or “slipped” discs.

Upper Back Pain

Formally known as the thoracic vertebrae, this section of your back is made up of 12 bones (T1 to T12) and runs from the bottom of the neck to the bottom portion of your rib cage.

Upper back pain is often the result of a serious collision and can result in a number of symptoms, including:

• sharp pains
• various types of radiating pain
• stiffness
• numbness
• tingling sensations that spread to other parts of the body, etc.

A car accident that is especially severe can leave a person with upper back injuries that result in nerve damage and/or paralysis.

Anyone who suffers an injury to the upper back should seek medical treatment so that a doctor can perform a check for any potential damage.

Lower Back Pain

Formally known as the lumbar vertebrae, this section of your back is made up of 5 bones (L1 to L5) and runs from the bottom half of the thoracic to your tailbone.

Car accident victims who are diagnosed with a lower back injury will often suffer from various forms of muscle sprains and strains.

The symptoms of a lower back injury may include:

• bruising
• swelling
• tenderness
• limited mobility

Depending on the severity of the car accident, patients will experience varying lengths of ongoing symptoms in their lower back.

Treatment for lower back pain is often treated with courses of physical therapy and doctor-ordered rest.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The most serious of back injuries, a spinal cord injury typically occurs in high-speed collisions, rollovers, or in instances where the victim was not wearing a seatbelt.

As is the case with all back injuries, there are varying levels of spinal cord injuries, however, any suspected damage to the delicate nerves protected by the spine will require immediate medical care and intervention.

Car accident victims who sustain mild damage to the spinal cord may experience temporary loss of feeling in one or more body parts and/or have reduced functionality in their reflexes. If the spinal damage is more severe, the person may experience long-term paralysis that is partial or total in nature.

Ongoing advances in the area of spinal injury therapy and reversal have provided patients with exceptional results, however, it is imperative that anyone suffering a spinal cord injury remains under the watchful care of doctors who specialize in this area of medicine.

For these reasons, Boulton Law Group encourages anyone who has suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident to request a legal evaluation of their claim.

An experienced attorney can help to locate all sources of compensation and insurance coverage that will help to cover the costs associated with spinal cord care and treatment.

Neck Injury (Whiplash)

While it may not be thought of as a traditional back injury, many car accident victims will also report symptoms of whiplash, especially if they have been involved in a rear-end collision.

The sudden impact of a car accident causes the head and neck to respond in a whip-like fashion while the body is stationary. The resulting damage to the necks muscles and ligaments can cause various symptoms, including:

• pain
• stiffness
• dizziness
• fatigue
• blurred vision, etc.

Again, a large number of Boulton Law Group’s car accident clients sustain whiplash, among other injuries.

The majority of our clients with this injury see improvement through physical therapy and/or by wearing a type of neck brace that restricts movement, allowing the muscles and ligaments to fully heal.

Next Steps for Back Pain & Injury Car Accident Victims

Boulton Law Group has helped dozens of injured Hoosiers throughout the state with back injury car accident cases. Our experience has taught us that these cases can be especially complex, even if the back injury is serious.

For that reason, it is important that you do not make a misstep that could potentially dilute the value of your case.

If your car accident has left you with back pain, take the following steps to help ensure your health is prioritized and your accident claim is maximized:

Seek Medical Care

Unlike a laceration or bruising, back pain is largely invisible. Without a proper evaluation, no one can be sure what type of injuries you have truly sustained. Avoiding treatment not only puts your health at risk, but it also gives the insurance company an opportunity to question the seriousness of your injury.

Having a doctor examine you helps to pinpoint the problem area(s) and create an official medical record that will be essential to any future personal injury claim.

Listen to Your Doctor

Once the doctor has finished with their medical exam, they will likely provide you with instructions and the next steps.

In many instances, car accident victims with back injuries will be advised to undergo physical therapy and prescribed pain medication. It is extremely important that you do not miss or skip physical therapy sessions, as this can delay healing and negatively affect the value of your claim.

Additionally, your doctor may recommend that you take time off work. If this occurs, you can expect to be reimbursed by the insurance company, however, keep in mind that you will only be reimbursed for time missed due specifically to doctor’s orders.

Ask an Indianapolis Accident Attorney for a FREE Case Review

We have witnessed insurance companies dismiss back injury claims. To help ensure this does not happen to you, we always recommend that you seek out the opinion of an attorney who focuses exclusively on personal injury claims.

The attorney you contact should offer free consultations and provide you with tips and advice to protect your claim and improve your chances of receiving a maximum financial recovery.

Indianapolis Back Pain Car Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one were involved in a car accident that resulted in a serious back injury, contact the legal team at Boulton Law Group for your free advice and next steps.

Our team has been helping injured Hoosiers for more than 20 years and is sought after for its many legal successes as well as our reputation for treating clients like family!

Boulton Law Group also offers all accident victims a Zero Fee Guarantee. This risk-free promise means that you will never pay for a legal consultation, and the only time we receive money for our services is after we win your case.

To learn what your back injury case may be worth, call us direct at 317-350-2680.

If you prefer to write to us for a free evaluation, please use our confidential contact form. All case inquiries are reviewed and analyzed by our legal team.