When you think of serious injuries following a car accident, you likely think of spinal injuries that lead to paralysis or severe internal organ damage. However, even if an injury does not immediately seem to be severe, the symptoms can be long-lasting and can have a serious effect on many aspects of your life. Damage to parts of your neck and back are examples of car accident injuries that can be surprisingly serious and costly. The following is some additional information regarding neck and back injuries from traffic collisions.
Whiplash and Other Neck Problems
When two vehicles collide, the impact can cause your head to suddenly move forward, sideways, or backward, and then suddenly snap back into place. Such sudden head movements can result in significant damage to the ligaments, muscles, or connective tissue in your neck and upper back. Because this movement is similar to the cracking of a whip, the variety of injuries that can result from these movements are referred to collectively as “whiplash.”
Whiplash may not be apparent for days or weeks after the accident though the effects can be long-lasting. The following are some of the major symptoms and effects of whiplash:
- Neck pain - Pain in the neck area is the most common result of whiplash. Pain can start in the neck and radiate down into the upper back, out into the shoulders, or up into the base of the head.
- Stiffness - Damage to the ligaments or muscles can also result in severe limitations on the range of motion you have in your neck and head. This can be due to both pain avoidance and due to the tightening of the tissue.
- Headaches - Whiplash victims commonly experience serious headaches, which are caused by the injured parts of the neck referring pain up into the head. The best ways to prevent headaches like these is to treat the underlying neck injury.
- TMJ - Some whiplash victims may also then suffer from temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). This can cause stiffness, pain, popping, and other problems when opening and closing the mouth or other jaw movements.
Besides whiplash, other neck injuries that can result from a car accident include:
- Sprains and strains
- Fractures
- Pinched nerves
- Facet joint injuries
- Disc injuries
Back Injuries can Seriously affect Your Life
The back is made up of many parts that could be injured due to the severe impact of a car accident, including muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, shoulder blades, and the spinal column. Injury to any of these parts can result in excruciating pain that can limit movement and even prevent you from walking at all. Needless to say, such limitations can affect many parts of your life including your ability to perform your job duties, participate in sports or recreational activities, or even to take care of yourself. In addition, back injuries can require extensive and long-term treatment that can be costly, including surgeries, specialist visits, numerous imaging tests, medications, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and much more. In addition, back injuries can cause you to lose income and experience ongoing and intense pain and suffering.
The following are only some of the many different back injuries that can result from a car crash:
- Thoracic and lumbar fractures2
- Flexion distraction fractures
- Compression fractures
- Bulging discs
- Herniated discs
- Axial bursts
- Dislocation fractures
- Soft tissue tears
- Bruising of bones or soft tissue
- Spinal cord damage
Any of the above injuries can cause serious problems in your life and can result in severe losses.
Consult with Our Skilled Clearwater Auto Accident Injury Attorneys Today
At the Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, our highly experienced car accident lawyers have handled cases involving many different car accident injuries, including damage to your neck and back. You should never think that your injuries are too minor to discuss your legal rights with our team. If you have incurred losses from medical bills and lost wages, you deserve to recover for those losses if another person caused your accident - even if your injuries are not catastrophic. Neck and back cases can be worth a surprising amount and compensation can significantly help you cover the costs of your injuries. For more information about a potential case, please call our office at 727-451-6900 or fill out our online form today.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 451-6900