The spine is one of the most sensitive parts of the body, and trauma to any part of the back can cause lifelong problems. In fact, back injuries are the leading cause of prolonged disability, with victims losing a substantial amount of time from work and other activities. Some back injuries are so severe that they cause paralysis, requiring the victim to use a wheelchair for mobility. But that’s the exception, not the rule. Even less severe back injuries warrant compensation for the pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life when it’s been caused by somebody else’s negligence.
If somebody else caused your back injury, we can help you obtain the financial compensation you’re entitled to. Please call the Orange County personal injury lawyers at Crockett Law Group to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your rights.
This is because even a seemingly minor car accident can cause an excessive amount of stress on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your lower back. This is commonly referred to as a sprain or strain. A car accident can also put an undue amount of stress on your spinal column that results in a disc moving out of place and putting pressure on your nerves or spinal cord.
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Types of Back Injuries
Back injuries can generally be lumped into one of three different categories: (1) sprains and strains, (2) herniated or bulging discs, and (3) fractures.Spains and Strains
Sprains and strains of the back usually respond well to conservative treatment, like chiropractic adjustments or physical therapy. It’s important to note that sprains and strains are technically different. A “sprain” refers to an injury to a ligament, whereas a “strain” refers to an injury to a tendon or muscle. A “ligament” is the fibrous tissue that connects bones to each other. A “tendon” is the fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone. A “muscle” is the fibrous tissue that has the ability to contract.Herniated or Bulging Discs
Herniated or bulging discs are serious injuries to the spine that can cause a tremendous amount of pain when they exert pressure on spinal nerves. Disc injuries are objectively diagnosed with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) after conservative treatment fails to relieve the pain, usually after at least 6 weeks. A spinal disc is made up of two parts, an annulus, and a nucleus. The annulus is a tough outer layer of cartilage that encases the nucleus, a gel-like inner layer made up of softer cartilage. When a disc bulges, the nucleus presses against the annulus, causing the disc to bulge outward. When a disc is herniated, the nucleus not only presses against the annulus, but it pushes completely through and squeezes out of the disc. Sometimes you’ll see a disc herniation referred to as a disc protrusion on an MRI, but they’re the same thing. Disc herniations or protrusions are generally more serious than disc bulges. When conservative treatment is unsuccessful, epidural injections or surgery may be required.Fractures
Spinal fractures are generally classified into one of three distinct categories:- Compression fractures
- Flexion-distraction fractures
- Burst fractures
- Anterior (front)
- Middle
- Posterior (back)
Can You Get Lower Back Pain from a Car Accident?
Yes, you can absolutely experience lower back pain as a result of a car accident. In fact, lower back pain is the most common type of injury that occurs after a car accident. Sometimes you don’t notice any back pain right away because adrenaline is masking it, but then you wake up the next morning with pain in your lower back.
This is because even a seemingly minor car accident can cause an excessive amount of stress on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your lower back. This is commonly referred to as a sprain or strain. A car accident can also put an undue amount of stress on your spinal column that results in a disc moving out of place and putting pressure on your nerves or spinal cord.
