Car Accident Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

Vehicle accidents can lead to many serious injuries, including damage to the back and spine. These back and spine injuries can be extremely disruptive to a collision victim’s life, resulting in severe pain and requiring expensive medical treatment.

The human anatomy isn’t capable of withstanding the forces caused by a car accident, so even seemingly minor collisions can lead to back injuries. There are several types of back injuries that are typically caused by vehicle collisions, including:

• Whiplash. Whiplash is one of the most common vehicle collision injuries, damaging tissues, muscles, and ligaments. These injuries are typically caused by rear-end collisions—when the accident victim’s head is jerked forward while the body remains stationary. Whiplash injuries can be difficult to prove, since they don’t show up on an x-ray, and symptoms may take days to develop. These symptoms typically include pain, dizziness, stiffness, and blurred vision, and whiplash injuries may require physical therapy.
• Spinal cord damage. The most serious back injuries are those involving damage to the spinal cord, when it is bruised or severed due to collision-impact forces. Spinal cord injuries can result in loss of feeling in the extremities, and even partial or total paralysis. Victims may also suffer from secondary conditions, such as bleeding, blood clots, pneumonia, and infections.
• Spondylolisthesis. This condition occurs when stress fractures force vertebrae out of place, compressing nerves in the spinal canal. Spondylolisthesis may cause pain, numbness, and difficulty walking, and treatment may require surgery and physical therapy.

If you’ve suffered back or spinal injuries in a vehicle collision, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. Some injuries such as whiplash can be difficult to prove, while spinal cord damage may require extensive, costly medical treatment. You need an experienced vehicle accident attorney who understands how to evaluate your case and fight for the compensation you deserve. To learn more, contact the Injury & Disability Law Center by clicking the Live Chat button on this page.