Car accidents are increasing at a rapid pace because of people’s carelessness, poor maintenance of vehicles, poor condition of roads, and more. Due to the carelessness of people, car accident victims have to pay a big amount by sacrificing their health and sometimes their lives. People suffer from multiple injuries that impact their ability to do their life chores.  

The most common damage a person may experience is a back injury. There are different types of back injuries, but the typical back injury from a car accident is back fractures and sprains. Every person experiences a back injury differently. Some people may experience minor accidents, but they have intense back issues. If you or a loved one has been affected, consulting a personal injury lawyer Houston can help you understand your legal rights and pursue compensation. 

The intensity and type of back injury can only be confirmed by a health professional. They will conduct multiple physical tests that will help them know what damage is from inside. To know which types of back injury a person can suffer from, continue reading. 

Spinal Fractures

Such high-impact accidents could lead to fractures in the spinal column, which is made up of vertebrae. The spinal cord has 33 bones that protect it from any damage. When the bone around the spine gets damaged or fractured, it affects the functioning of the lower body. 

These include simple compression fractures and burst fractures, which can be quite serious. These symptoms include severe lower back pain and limited movement of the body.  

In burst and compression fractures, multiple vertebrae are damaged or broken down because of the intense pressure of a car accident. 

Moreover, due to fractures, the spinal cord can be dislocated from its place, creating difficulty in movement. Thus, it is important to seek medical attention to avoid any potential damage.  

Sprains and Strains 

A sprain involves the stretching or tearing of ligaments, whereas a strain is also the tearing of muscles. The back area of the body is surrounded by soft tissues and ligaments to protect the body’s bones. Due to the intense force, it gets bruised. Injuries such as whiplash may happen as a result of a sudden twisting motion in an accidental collision. Such symptoms might take place as inflammation, swelling, and restricted movement.  

Sprain and strains, in some cases, heal on their own. In minor conditions, a person can heal with home treatment and rest. But most of the time, sprains and strains resulting from car collisions may need proper medical attention to heal. If you’re afraid of getting extensive medical care, don’t worry. With the help of a Houston car accident lawyer, you can seek complete medical compensation from the liable person. 

Whiplash Injury 

Whiplash is a typical back injury among auto accidents, mainly arising from rear-end collisions. The forward jerking motion of the neck and head is what causes it. In car accidents, when a car hits another vehicle or a solid object, it creates a fierce force that strongly impacts the body.  

This damage can hurt the ligaments and muscles in the cervical spine and the shoulder. In severe whiplash, it impacts the neck and back, resulting in severe pain and discomfort. This condition is characterized by the development of symptoms such as neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and shoulder pain.  

Herniated Disc

When this inner part of the disc breaks or extrudes through its place, it leads to the condition known as a herniated disc. This injury is mostly caused by heavy car crashes that may cause pressure to develop in the spinal area due to excessive movement in the car. The symptoms could be severe pains in the lower back, accompanied by pains in one or both legs, numbness, and tingling in a part of either leg, or complete weakness of either leg. 

Herniated discs can be a complete discomfort that can be pushed the spinal disc from its location. People who suffered from herniated discs before the accident may worsen the condition, and it will result in further complications and fatal risks. It ranges from minor to severe depending on the degree of intensity of the car accident.  

Facet Joint Injury  

Facet joints are located near the spine bones and nerves that control different parts of the body. When the facet joint gets twisted or absorbs extreme pressure, it can directly harm your spine. Such an injury can strongly affect your nerves, resulting in complications in your body. Facet joint injury is a trauma to the spinal cord that causes muscle spasm. A person may feel constant tenderness in the back and pain. 

If you’re suffering from any type of muscle pain or soreness after a car accident, it is essential for you to seek medical attention as soon as possible.  

How To Diagnose Back Injuries After A Car Accident  

It is important to diagnose properly so as to know the nature and intensity of the back injury. Immediate medical care is necessary after a car accident. In medical care, healthcare providers will perform a variety of diagnostic tests. Their names are mentioned below.  

Physical Examination 

The doctor will first perform a complete physical examination of the back, neck and limbs to determine the presence of pain, movement ability, and cognitive ability. At this stage, give your doctor the complete medical history of your doctor and explain how the accident happened. This way, a doctor can completely understand your medical position after a car accident.  

X-rays 

X-ray is one of the common diagnostic tests that help to see the internal situation of the body. Through X-rays, it is possible to find out if there are fractures, dislocations, and structural problems in the spine.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 

MRI is a test that helps doctors to see a clear picture of your body. MRI is helpful in diagnosing soft tissue injuries like a herniated disc and ligament injury. 

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan 

To see everything in detail doctors conduct a CT scan to see the injury in detail. A CT scan gives a close look at spinal bones and bone injuries.
Electromyography (EMG) 

EMG assessments show the level of activity in muscles and nerves, which helps detect a nerve problem. In a car accident, nerves get compressed. To see the intensity of compression, the doctor conducts EMG.  

Treatment For Back Injuries  

In most of the cases, back injuries are treatable after a car accident. There are different treatments depending on the level of intensity of the injury. But the common treatment people do for recovery is the following. 

Complete Rest  

To recover from back injuries, it is important to give complete rest to your back. In this duration, make sure you don’t make any hard movements or put weight on your back. Mild back injuries can be treated by resting and application of over-the-counter medications. In minor to mild injuries, you can heal your injuries with complete rest and average medical help.  

Physical Therapy 

After a car accident, the flexibility of the body is strongly compromised. To get back that flexibility, you need some physical therapies. Physical therapies work toward increasing mobility, relieving pain, and enhancing the muscles that support the back. This way, you can enhance your movement, leading to the track of everyday life.

Epidural Injections 

In some cases, doctors recommend epidural injections to manage the complications of back injuries. The injections may be used as temporary palliatives for acute injuries such as cases of herniated discs.

Surgical Treatments  

In severe back injuries where the damage is intense, and healing is slow, doctors recommend surgical treatment to victims. When severe injury takes place, surgical intervention such as repairs of the vertebrae, correction of the herniated discs, and spine stabilization is needed to provide relief. It helps repair the damage of injury to enhance a person’s recovery after a car accident.

Chiropractic and Massage Treatment 

People suffering from pain and discomfort can get chiropractic care to stretch the muscles that get stiff. It is an alternative therapy to adjust the movement and flexibility of the body. 

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation 

Persons with damaged spinal cords will need a long-term rehabilitation process that consists of physical therapy sessions, occupational therapy, as well as psychological assistance. People with severe spinal cord injury can get complete therapy sessions to get back to life from permanent damage.  

Why Should You Seek Lawyer’s Help for Back Injury After Car Accident?  

If you get injured because of someone’s neglect, your state has given you all the right to seek compensation for every pain you suffered because of the person responsible. Car accidents are quite disastrous that not only damage your physical health but your emotional and financial condition too.  

A person has to suffer with lots of pain and damage. A person may get multiple injuries, lost work, property loss, mental distress, and more. To reduce the burden of every damage you get, you can seek compensation from the liable party.  

However, seeking compensation is not that easy. You need valuable evidence, negotiation skills to get what you deserve, and the most difficult part, is convincing the jury. To avoid all the hassle of filing a case, you need a lawyer who will do all the legal procedures on your behalf. You can stay focused on your health, and your lawyer will deal with all the technicalities of the legal process. If you want to seek legal guidance, Mokaram Injury Lawyers is here to serve! 

The Bottom Line 

Are you looking for a lawyer who can understand your case and help you get what you truly deserve? Mokaram Injury Lawyers is one call away. Call us today at 281-222-2222 to discuss your case with us.