A car accident can be the source of several types of injuries, and a back injury is often among the most painful. If a car accident has caused your back injury, it may be a long road to recovery, but there are things you can do every step of the way to mitigate your circumstances and improve your prognosis.
Types of Back Injuries from a Pearland Car Accident
The bones of the spine provide structure and support to your body and protect your spinal cord. Every back injury is not the same, and there is tremendous variation in how they may manifest based on the severity of the injury and where in the spine the injury is located.
An injury to the spine or surrounding area may be as minor as a sprain or strain, or it may be more severe, causing issues with the nervous system. The location is often labeled based on which vertebra the injury appears, but it may be more broadly classified as lumbar, thoracic, or cervical back injuries.
Cervical Spine Injury
A back injury in the first seven vertebrae is a cervical spine injury. Because of the flexibility and anatomy of your neck, the cervical spine is most vulnerable to injury. While these injuries may affect the spinal cord, causing lasting and debilitating damage and injury, they don’t always.
Some commonly seen cervical injuries include something like whiplash, which can happen when your head is thrown back and snaps forward or vice versa.
Thoracic Spine Injury
A thoracic spine injury is located in the upper and middle back. The Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute states that this injury is found in the T-1 to T-12 vertebrae and may have a devastating prognosis. These injuries consist of fractures, breaks, or bulged and herniated disks.
These injuries may be less common due to your body’s structure, but the proximity and connection to your lungs and ribcage can make them more dangerous.
Lumbar Spine Injury
The lumbar spine is in the lower back, often identified as locations L-1 to L-5. In a car accident, these areas are less likely to be injured than the cervical spine but are still vulnerable to injury with the impact of a collision. In this area, you may see breaks or fractures that result in paralysis, difficulty walking, or bowel and urinary difficulties. A bulged or herniated disc is also common in this area of the spine.
Signs of a Back Injury in Your Texas Car Accident
If you have been in a car accident and you suspect a spinal cord injury, you should stay in your vehicle if it is safe to do so and call 911. If you are correct, movement may exacerbate the injury or the symptoms, and you are safest to move with the support of EMS.
It is critical to remember that injuries may not present themselves right away. So, even if you are not immediately concerned about a back injury, our team at J.D. Silva & Associates often advises you to seek medical evaluation through your primary care physician or the emergency room as soon as possible.
A physical evaluation may show potential soft tissue injuries or swelling that may be subdued by adrenaline. Some indicators you may have a back injury include:
- Numbness in parts of your body
- Sharp or burning pain
- Muscle spasms
- Stiffness or problems turning your neck or trunk
- Discomfort when walking or standing
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Difficulty breathing
The general discomfort and soreness after an accident can make it difficult to determine whether the soreness is temporary or an actual injury that needs to be addressed. This uncertainty, along with the risk of worsening a back injury, is another reason to see a doctor after the accident.
What to Do if You Have a Back Injury After a Car Accident
Once you have a confirmed back injury from a car accident, it is critical to follow your treatment plan. If you have concerns about your care, you can consult with a second opinion, but failure to follow your doctor’s guidance can affect your credibility in a personal injury case. Additionally, it may lead to your injury worsening.
Some of the supports your doctor may suggest to help manage your injury include:
- Physical therapy
- Massage therapy
- Light exercise
- Chiropractor
- Pain specialist
- Surgical interventions
Not all of these interventions are appropriate for all injuries, so speak with your physician to get their recommendations for your specific injury to avoid further injuring yourself.
Failure to Treat a Back Injury
If you forgo appropriate treatment for your back injury, it can not only prolong your recovery but also cause further and irreparable damage. Some of the additional symptoms you may suffer from if you do not treat the injury can include long-term and permanent nerve damage or pain, spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, and other complications.
In addition to worsening your condition, it is possible that you cannot recover compensation for these exacerbations if you knowingly failed to treat or investigate the injury.
Call a Pearland Car Accident Lawyer Today to Get the Compensation You Deserve
Managing an injury after a car accident can be debilitating under the best circumstances. Still, back injuries can often cause pain that makes it hard to perform daily activities or do your job to support your family. Whether it is a short-lived or a life-long disability, our car accident lawyers are here to support you in the fight for what you deserve.
You and your family should not have to bear the consequences of someone else’s negligence. The Pearland car accident lawyers at J.D. Silva & Associates is committed to helping you recover the compensation you deserve for the injuries you have. We offer free case consultations to discuss your options. You don’t have to do this alone, so call us today.