Back and Neck Injuries From Car Accidents
Car crashes can lead to various injuries. Back and neck injuries are among the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. Even a seemingly minor collision can cause significant damage to the spine, muscles, and soft tissues.
Back and neck injuries can be painful and hard to treat. They can also affect mobility to the point where they are disabling. They can make it hard to work and enjoy life.
After a car accident, you never know when back and neck injuries may show up. They can show up right away. Sometimes it takes hours or days. It could even take weeks.
Why is this? Injuries from a car accident often don’t show up right away because of how the body responds to trauma. After a crash, your body releases adrenaline and endorphins, which can mask pain and injury symptoms temporarily. Injuries like whiplash, strains, or inflammation may not cause noticeable pain until swelling develops. Also, some injuries worsen over time with movement or activity, such as herniated discs or muscle tears.
Many people are unaware they even have a back or neck injury so they go untreated. The sooner you seek medical treatment after being involved in an auto accident, the better chance you will have of making a full recovery.
Look for these immediate symptoms of back and neck injuries:
- Extreme pain in your neck, back, or head
- Tingling, burning sensations, or numbness in any part of your body
- Immediate headache
- Inability to move your fingers or toes
- Loss of balance
- Unable to control bowels or bladder
- Difficulty breathing
Delayed symptoms may include:
- Headaches up to several days after a car accident
- Decreased hearing or vision
- Belly pain, tenderness, swelling, or bruising
- Weakness or inability to lift light things
- Pain or pinching sensations in the shoulders, neck, or back
- Feelings of tingling or numbness in the arms, hands, or fingers
- Stress, anxiety, or inexplicable panic
Common types of back and neck injuries caused by car accidents include:
- This is a soft tissue injury caused by the sudden back-and-forth motion of the neck, common in rear-end collisions.
- Herniated or bulging discs. The force of a crash can shift spinal discs out of place, pressing on nerves and causing pain, numbness, or weakness.
- Spinal fractures. Breaks or cracks in the vertebrae can occur, especially in high-speed crashes, often requiring surgery or bracing.
- Sprains and strains. Overstretching muscles, tendons, or ligaments in the back or neck can lead to inflammation and pain.
- Spinal cord injury. In severe cases, trauma can damage the spinal cord, potentially leading to paralysis or permanent nerve damage.
Contact Us Today
Car accidents can cause a host of injuries, including back and neck injuries. These injuries can be painful and require various forms of treatment to alleviate the pain.
These injuries can be life-altering, affecting your ability to work, move, and even perform daily activities. A Mt. Juliet back injury lawyer from The Law Offices of Christopher Eads, PLLC can provide you with personalized legal support and hold negligent parties accountable. Schedule a consultation today by filling out the online form or calling (615) 622-6060.
Source:
sterlingmedgroup.com/back-neck-injuries-car-accident/#:~:text=Thoracic%20spine%20injuries%20can%20occur,guide%20you%20on%20pain%20management.
