5 Most Common Car Accident Back Injuries
One of the most common types of injuries victims suffer from car accidents is to the back. With over 2.5 million serious injuries caused each year by car accidents, it’s no surprise back injuries are so very common.
Back injuries caused by car accidents can vary from the severe, such as spinal cord injuries, to the minor, like whiplash. Below is a list of the most common back injuries you could suffer if you are ever in a car accident.
Whiplash
One of the most frequent injuries produced by both minor and major car accidents is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the muscles, ligaments, and tissue in the neck is stretched and torn after the head is violently jarred forwards and backwards in a car crash.
The symptoms of whiplash typically do not manifest fully until hours if not days after an accident. Common symptoms include tightness, chronic, low-grade pain, blurred vision, dizziness and fatigue. The best way to treat whiplash, and any soft tissue injury, is the R.I.C.E. method: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. If the damage is severe, though, you should consider visiting a chiropractor or even a massage therapist.
Herniated Discs
The second most common type of back injury is a herniated disc. The amount of force produced by a car accident causes incredible damage to the human body. This force is absorbed by the discs in the back, causing them to slip and shift, and can even pinch and compress nerves in the process.
Herniated discs can cause uncomfortable pain and prolonged numbness in the back. The best treatment method for a herniated disc is by using non-invasive methods. However, you may need to consider surgery if you’re experiencing severe pain that persists for days or weeks on end.
Sciatica
Herniated discs can cause another disorder called sciatica. Sciatica is when a person feels pain, weakness, and numbness in their sciatic nerve which stretches from the spine down to the feet.
The best treatment method for sciatic is from heat therapy and regular exercise. If such methods are ineffective then physical therapy or chiropractic adjustments may be required to alleviate the pain in the sciatica nerve.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is a condition produced when the vertebrae slip out of alignment due to excessive fractures. This causes the nerves along the spine to become compressed, thereby causing chronic pain, general weakness, and numbness. Spondylolisthesis victims could potentially find it difficult to walk and lead a normal, active lifestyle.
Spondylolisthesis is best treated by visiting a chiropractor or a physical therapist. More severe cases, however, may require surgery.
Spinal Cord Injury
Easily the most dangerous type of back injury is to the spinal cord. The spinal cord is so delicate and vital a part of the body that even a simple cut or abrasion to it can lead to permanent disability. Indeed, a severed spinal cord can leave a car accident victim paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair for life. This is why emergency service workers treat car accident victims so gingerly if they suspect there might be a minor chance of a spinal cord injury.
Spinal cord injuries require years of treatment with rather modest, if any improvements or recovery. Spinal cord injury victims must often make major adjustments to their lifestyle and, as a result, can suffer psychological stress and depression.
These are 5 of the most common back injuries caused by car accidents. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident you should hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to represent your legal case. The best way to receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses is to have a professional attorney at the head of your legal team.
The Advocates is a highly-rated personal injury law firm that serves accident injury victims from every corner of Washington state.
