Signs of a Back Injury after a Car Accident
Car crashes can wreak havoc on your back. Back injuries can be minor, requiring pain management and rest to recover. They can also be catastrophic, causing limited or complete paralysis. If you are in an accident, do not ignore back pain, as it could be a sign of:
- Whiplash;
- Muscle sprain or strain;
- Broken vertebrae;
- A compression fracture;
- A herniated disc;
- Displaced vertebrae; or
- A partially or fully severed spinal cord.
Signs of a Back Injury
Small symptoms can be signs of a major problem. If you have any of these feelings following a crash, go to the emergency room or see your physician as soon as possible:
- Sharp pain in your back, neck, or shoulders;
- Difficulty rotating your head;
- Generalized pain in your lower back;
- Pain that moves down your buttocks or legs;
- Pain that moves through your shoulder and arm;
- Numbness or tingling in your buttocks, saddle region, legs, or feet;
- Weakness in your buttocks or legs;
- Changes in your gait or trouble walking;
- Inability to urinate or loss of bladder control; and/or
- Loss of bowel control.
Back Injuries Can Cause Permanent Disability
If you experience other symptoms in addition to pain in the days or weeks following your accident, such as muscle weakness, numbness, and bladder or bowel issues, go to the emergency room as soon as possible. Many back injuries have a higher rate of recovery if they are addressed quickly. The longer a serious issue goes undiagnosed and untreated, the greater likelihood of long-term or permanent consequences. For example, numbness in your legs can be a sign of nerve damage. The longer the nerve is irritated or inflamed, the longer it will take to heal. An injured vertebra could result in nerve damage that takes years to fully heal and restore feeling and function.
Diagnosing Back Injuries
When you see a physician regarding potential back injuries, you will likely undergo an MRI following a physical exam. MRIs provide detailed cross sections of your bones, nerves, and tissue. You might also get a CT scan. A CT scan also offers a cross section of your spine but it relies on X-ray technology while an MRI uses magnetic fields and radio emissions.
Recovering Damages for a Back Injury From a Crash
If you suffered a serious back injury from a car accident, you have the right to recover both economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault driver. By working with an experienced Texas personal injury attorney, you can seek appropriate compensation for your:
- Past and future medical expenses;
- Physical rehabilitation;
- Any necessary at-home care;
- Pain and suffering;
- Lost income;
- Reduced earning capacity; and/or
- Loss of consortium.
Contact the Bettersworth Law Firm Today
After being hurt in a car accident, you deserve to have an experienced lawyer on your side, who can fight for your right to recover compensation for your injuries. Whether it is negotiating with an insurer or arguing for damages in front of a jury, the experienced New Braunfels personal injury attorneys of the Bettersworth Law Firm are ready to fight for you.
Source:
https://medlineplus.gov/backinjuries.html
