Car accidents and the blow to the body often associated with the impact of the vehicle collision may lead to severe back and neck injuries. Car collisions are the number one cause of neck injuries in the U.S. Neck injuries may lead to lasting pain and significant financial burden due to work limitations imposed due to the injury and medical costs associated with the injury. In the U.S., more than 800,000 vehicle accidents involving neck injuries are reported each year, with medical expenses reaching $5,200,000,000. After the impact of a car collision, a great deal of strain is typically placed on the neck and back, making these body regions vulnerable to injury.
If you have recently been involved in a car accident and have sustained an injury, contact the experienced car accident injury lawyers at Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ to receive your free, no-obligation case evaluation. With more than 65 years of collective experience representing personal injury victims, we know what it takes to effectively fight for your right to ensure you get the just compensation you deserve. Car accidents can lead to severe and lasting injuries that can become quite costly. Therefore, after a car collision, it is imperative to seek medical treatment right away and get an adequate understanding of your diagnosis and any expected lasting impacts. Only after fully understanding the extent of your injuries may you be compensated adequately for your current and projected future damages.
What’s Causing Neck and Lower Back Pain After a Car Accident?
It is very common for car accident victims to obtain injuries after a car collision. But what’s causing neck and lower back pain after a car accident? While you must receive medical treatment following an accident to be adequately diagnosed by a medical professional, we would like to share several common causes of pain involving the neck and back that car accident injury victims frequently suffer from.
Lower Back Sprains
Lumbar region sprains are a prevalent ailment experienced by car accident injury victims. Lumbar back sprains may occur when too much pressure is placed on the back, such as from a car collision, heavy lifting, or sports injury. Pain will occur when back tendons, muscles, and ligaments are excessively overstretched. This type of injury must be diagnosed by a medical professional.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis may be caused by trauma to the spine, such as from a car accident. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the bone channel, which contains the spinal cord and nerves. While spinal stenosis can occur from a degenerative disorder, it may also be due to bodily trauma incurred by a car accident.
Disc Herniation
Herniated discs, which may also be known as bulging discs, slipped discs, and other common names, is a condition in which the cushion-like discs that divide your back vertebrae protrude through their outer encasing. When the projecting disc-matter reaches the nerves, severe back pain can be experienced. Learn more about disc herniation here.
Discogenic Back Pain
Discogenic back pain can be described as radiating, shooting, and acute pain that is worsened with bending and movement. Car accidents may also cause this type of back pain.
Whiplash
Whiplash is the most commonly experienced form of car collision injury. This condition occurs from rapid head movement that leads to tearing of the muscles, nerves, discs, ligaments, and more in the cervical spine leading to significant pain.
This is not an exhaustive list of neck or back injuries you may experience after a car collision. Ensure that you are formally diagnosed by a medical professional to learn more about your specific condition and the symptoms you may be experiencing.
Can Lower Back Pain and Neck Pain Be Connected?
Can lower back pain and neck pain be connected? Yes, in many cases, if the spine is misaligned, pain may be experienced in both regions of the body. Seek evaluation from a medical professional to learn more.
Neck and Back Pain After Car Accident
After being involved in a car accident and sustaining an injury, you must receive medical treatment immediately. Your ability to receive compensation for your injuries may become seriously compromised without proper medical treatment. Although causes of neck and back pain after car accidents may vary significantly from patient to patient and accident to accident, there are several common medical treatments that sufferers of neck and back pain after an accident may receive after being diagnosed by a medical professional to manage their pain and to return to optimal health or maximum medical improvement.
Physical Therapy
Patients may be referred to a physical therapist to strengthen their muscles, eliminate discomfort, and regain mobility after receiving a neck or back injury.
Pharmaceutical Medications
After sustaining injuries from a car accident, many doctors will prescribe their patients medications to assist with managing their symptoms. Medications may include anti-inflammatories, acetaminophen, naproxen, muscle relaxers, antidepressants, or opioids.
Non-Surgical Alternatives
When it comes to neck and back pain that is chronic, many patients prefer to seek non-surgical alternatives and leave surgery as a last resort. Therapies such as corticosteroid or intradiscal steroid injections may help with pain management.
Chiropractic Care
After receiving neck and back injuries following an accident, it is often a good idea to follow up with a chiropractor. Many patients have avoided surgery and can return to optimal health by receiving chiropractic adjustments and other treatments from their chiropractors. Seek a chiropractor who specializes in car accident injury treatment.
Surgery
Finally, some individuals may require surgery to treat their neck and back pain, especially if the accident involves serious spinal injuries. Consult with your doctor to discuss the best medical treatment options for you.
Car Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a car accident and have sustained injuries to your neck or back, it is best to discuss your case with an experienced car accident lawyer right away. Here at Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ we fight hard on behalf of our car accident injury victims to ensure they receive the best possible outcomes and the just compensation they deserve.
If you are experiencing discomfort in your back or neck after a car collision, it is imperative that you reserve a proper diagnosis from a medical professional to address your injuries, even if they do not feel severe. Even if you only experience minor pain after an accident, it is best that you are seen by a medical professional right away, as issues can arise stemming from the accident later down the line.
Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys has over 65 years of collective experience working tirelessly for car accident injury victims in helping them obtain appropriate compensation for their injuries and allowing them to relieve some of the pressure off of them so that they may focus their energy and time on healing. Contact us today by calling (800) 529-0804 or contact us online to receive your free, no-obligation case evaluation.
