Spine Injury

Although not every car accident results in injury, bodily harm occurs more frequently than most expect. Therefore, victims may unknowingly be suffering from a spine injury, and failing to seek medical treatment in time can severely worsen the damage. 

After a car accident, you must know the proper steps to take in order to ensure that you get the necessary care you need. This guide will explore the most common types of spine injuries, signs and symptoms to watch for, and what the recovery stage will entail.

Common Types of Spine Injury

Back injuries are an unfortunately common result of car accidents because the back absorbs a significant amount of pressure and force from a sudden collision. It’s important to seek medical help as soon as possible, even if you don’t notice any immediate symptoms. Even minor back injuries can get worse and lead to chronic pain.

Whiplash

This is an extremely common injury caused by a car accident. The impact of a collision creates a sudden forward and backward jerking of your neck and head. This motion can create tears and strains in your tendons, muscles, and ligaments. 

Whiplash is dangerous because it can lead to lifelong chronic back pain, affecting motor functions. Unfortunately, whiplash is commonly misdiagnosed or not taken seriously, increasing the risk of life-long complications. 

Herniated and Ruptured Discs

Your spine consists of supportive discs, which can be ruptured, cracked, or slipped out of place from extreme force. Car accidents can easily cause a herniated disc, and although painless on its own, a slipped or ruptured disc can become painful if a nerve is stifled in the cervical spine or lumbar.

Also, compressed nerves in the spine can lead to a variety of health risks including numbness, sciatica, and lower back pain. That’s why it is important to seek medical attention as quickly as possible.  

Fractures

Another common spinal injury during a car accident is a fractured spine. This occurs when the force of a crash causes the vertebrae in the spine to break. 

The most common type of spinal fracture is called a compression fracture. When there is an overwhelming amount of pressure on the spine, it can cause compression fractures to occur. This is when small fissures and cracks are present in the bone. If a fracture is severe enough, it can damage surrounding nerves and potentially the spinal cord.  

Spinal Cord Injuries

The most upsetting type of spinal injury is the one that involves the spinal cord. While the spine itself cannot be fully repaired, the nerves protecting it can’t be corrected. 

If the spinal cord injury isn’t too severe, the victim can heal by using different clinical trials and treatments. Victims of a significant spinal cord injury will require a notable amount of treatment, assistance, and support. 

Soft Tissue Injuries

This type of injury affects the non-disc and non-bony sections of the spine. Soft tissue refers predominantly to the tendons, muscles, nerves, and ligaments in the body. Whiplash can fall under this category of injury. 

Signs and Symptoms of a Spine Injury

Although many people don’t seem to experience pain immediately after a car accident, adrenaline and shock tend to mask any signs and symptoms of an injury. No matter how mild it may seem, any type of back pain, discomfort, or odd symptoms should be taken seriously.

You may not notice symptoms until hours or days after the crash. Don’t ignore your pain or assume it will heal on its own. Your safety should always comes first, so heir on the side of caution–always. Some of the spinal injury symptoms you might experience following a car accident are:

• Stiffness
• Numbness or tingling in hands, arms, feet, or legs
• Muscle spasm
• Pain that radiates down to the legs
• Trouble walking or standing

Dealing with the outcome of a car accident can be taxing for everybody involved. If you’re a victim of a car collision, you shouldn’t have to worry about medical expenses and dealing with the complicated legal process. Hiring an injury attorney will make your recovery as smooth as can be. 

Recovering from Injury

Recovery is dependent on the type of injury suffered and its severity. Various parts of the body will require a more extensive medical treatment plan. Most back injuries will undergo longer recovery periods and multiple treatment services.

Car accidents can also take a mental toll on victims, as well. In addition to not being at their physical best, injured victims may experience frustration, anger, anxiety, or depression during this time. Car accident injuries can lead to a lot of emotional trauma and physical limitations. It’s important to find the right medical professional and have a good support system as you work toward recovery.

Although this may sound daunting, your doctor will help guide you through the healing process with a comprehensive treatment plan that includes rest, medication, injections, and similar actions. With the right combination of a trusted personal injury lawyer and experienced medical professional, you will improve your chances of physical and financial recovery.

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

It can be overwhelming to deal with a car accident injury. Whether you’re preparing for any uncertain circumstances or dealing with signs and symptoms at the moment, it’s important to be proactive. Knowing the common types of spine injury can save you time and money. 

Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney after a car accident is the best way to focus on healing. You can rest easy knowing a professional is getting you the compensation you deserve.

The Law Offices of Daniel Kim represents victims of motor vehicle accidents and fights to get clients maximum compensation for their injuries. To learn more, schedule a free consultation with us today. A team member is available to assist 24/7.