A car accident can be a horrifying experience even when you come out seemingly unscathed. Many people are affected emotionally and psychologically by the events. Others are affected physically. More than 90 people die in automobile accidents every day. If you’ve walked away from a car accident with your life, you should count your lucky stars. However, the accident may have had a deeper impact on you than you think.
Common back injuries
Back injuries are a common result of car accidents. They range from very mild to extremely severe. Some back injuries can progress from mild to severe injuries if left untreated. It is therefore important to take every back injury seriously and have it further investigated.
Some of the most common back injuries that result from car accidents include:
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lumbar strains and sprains
- Bulging discs
- Herniated discs
- Back fractures
- Ruptured discs
Common symptoms of back injuries
Back injuries aren’t always apparent immediately after the accident has occurred. Some people begin to experience symptoms even several weeks after the accident. The following are some symptoms of a back injury:
- Headaches
These may develop several days after the accident occurs. They may be a sign of a serious problem such as injury to the neck or to the head. It is therefore important to have frequent headaches checked out by your doctor especially if they begin after an accident.
- Shoulder or neck stiffness or pain
Pain in the neck or shoulders is often a sign of whiplash and other back injuries. These symptoms often begin several days after a motor vehicle collision.
- Back pain
Pain in the back is one of the most obvious signs of a back injury. However, the pain may indicate an injury to the muscles, nerves, ligaments or vertebrae. For that reason, you should have the pain checked by a doctor especially if it started shortly after you were involved in an auto accident.
- Numbness
Some injuries result in the loss of feeling in the hands, legs or other parts of the body. This is often a sign of nerve damage and should be attended to as soon as possible to prevent permanent nerve damage and loss of feeling.
What to do
It is important not to ignore any symptoms following any motor vehicle accident. Seeking medical attention will ensure that the injury is attended to and the damage contained. It is also important to inform your lawyer about your injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney will help guide you in the filing of your claim for compensation.
