Back injuries from a car accident

Over 4.5 million people across the U.S. are involved in car accidents every year, and it’s not unusual for many of them to suffer back injuries. It can be good to know the different types of back injuries, though, especially if you were in a Califonia crash yourself and are thinking about filing a personal injury claim.

Whiplash is the most common injury

By the back is meant the entire length of the spinal cord, which stretches from the neck (the cervical curve) down to the pelvis area (the sacral curve). Whiplash, then, can be considered a back injury. It is, in fact, the most widely reported car accident injury. It is caused by the violent snapping back and forth of the neck and can result in neck and back pain and stiffness, headaches, dizziness and fatigue.

Spinal fractures and disc herniation

A crash can send a violent force into the backbone and cause a compression fracture; a flexion-distraction fracture, also known as a seatbelt fracture; or another type of fracture. Other times, a disc between two vertebrae may slip: a condition called herniation. A slipped disc can put pressure on the nerves and cause pain in the extremities along with numbness and a general feeling of weakness.

A lawyer to help with an injury claim

Victims of auto accidents who suffer back injuries may need extensive treatment. It usually starts with the prescribing of pain relievers and other medications. A cortisone injection may help reduce inflammation in the spine. In extreme cases, victims undergo surgery. When the crash was caused by the negligence of another motorist, you want to be reimbursed for this in addition to your physical suffering, your diminished capacity to work and other related losses. This is where having a lawyer may be beneficial. You could focus on recovering while the lawyer goes ahead with your claim.