Back pain is common after a car accident, as the force of impact can jostle the vehicle’s occupants. It can be difficult to know whether or not your back pain is normal or the indication of a more serious injury. Here are some tips on how to know if your back pain is an indication of a serious injury after a car accident.
Common Back Injuries After a Car Accident
Back injuries that result from car accidents are typically acute back injuries, which happen when there is a sudden force placed on the back. Acute back injuries are often identified by their sudden and severe pain that is usually accompanied by swelling and bruising at the impact area. The only upside of acute back injuries is that the pain usually only lasts 6-8 weeks. Here are the most common types of acute injuries:
- Sprain or strain of ligaments or muscles in the back.
- Torn or ruptured disc. This type of injury is commonly associated with lower back injuries as compared to upper.
- Compression of the lower nerves due to swelling.
- Fracture or dislocation of the spine. This type of spine injury, if not handled properly or if severe enough, can lead to partial or complete paralysis.
Treatment for Acute Back Injuries
Most minor to moderate back injuries will heal on their own in about 1-6 weeks. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication, ice, and heat, and stretches to help manage pain, swelling, and stiffness.
More serious back injuries can take longer to heal and may need to be aided by other treatments, which may include some or all of the following:
- Physical Therapy
- Chiropractor
- Medicine
- Surgery
The type of treatment that your doctor prescribes depends on the severity of the back injury and its location. The doctor will also consider your age, health condition, and extracurricular activities.
For minor back injuries, some doctors may recommend that you continue to carry out daily activities, such as exercising, as long as those daily activities don’t involve heavy lifting. Moving your body will help reduce the chances of your back stiffening, and it helps lessen the pain by encouraging blood flow in the affected area.
I Have Back Pain After My Car Accident, What Should I Do?
Regardless of whether or not you felt any pain after your accident, you should always undergo an examination by a healthcare professional. Adrenaline will be coursing through your body immediately after the accident, which can mask pain or the severity of the pain. An individual with a serious back injury might not know it until later. Your doctor will ensure that any back injuries, or other injuries, caused by the accident can get properly treated.
After you see a doctor, contact Texas’s leading car accident attorneys at Hernandez Law Group, P.C. Our team is full of compassionate and driven car accident attorneys who can help you claim the compensation you deserve for medical expenses and damages following your incident. Juan Hernandez is one of the 2% of Texas attorneys who is Texas Board certified in personal injury law. With experience and a no-win, no-fee contract there is no reason not to contact the Hernandez Law Group. Contact our office today and schedule a free no-obligation consultation to go over the specifics of your case. Allow our team to fight for you!