Can a “Minor” Car Accident Result in Serious Back Injuries?

While some car accidents are particularly severe, many accidents happen that are relatively minor. For example, you may be stopped in heavy traffic on your way home from work when the driver behind you collides with the back of your car. Because the other driver was moving at a very slow speed, the damage might be minor, and you may believe that the accident was not a serious matter. However, it is important to remember that even seemingly minor car crashes can result in serious back injuries.

Back Injuries are Common in Car Crashes

When another vehicle hits yours, it can send a jolt through your body, even if the accident happened at slow speeds. The impact can cause your body to move or twist in unnatural ways, which can result in serious back injuries. Your back has many components that might sustain damage in an accident, including:

• Vertebrae
• Discs
• Spinal cord
• Spinal nerves
• Muscles
• Shoulder or pelvis joints
• Ribs
• Ligaments and tendons

A car accident can easily cause soft tissue damage, dislocations, nerve damage, slipped discs, spinal injuries, and more.

Back Injuries May Not be Immediately Apparent

Many back injuries do not have symptoms right away. You might feel a little stiff or sore after a crash, which you might assume is to be expected. However, in the days following the accident, you might experience increasing pain, spasms, or other unusual effects of a back injury.

It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a collision – even a minor one – if you feel anything out of the ordinary. Do not ignore any level of pain, soreness, or stiffness, as a timely diagnose can help both your physical condition and a subsequent insurance claim against the at-fault driver.

Back Injury Treatment and Losses

When you see a doctor after a car accident, they might conduct imaging tests such as CT scans, MRIs, or x-rays to identify any injuries. Once your back injury is properly diagnosed, your treatment plan will depend on the nature and severity of your injuries. Some patients need physical therapy, medications, and more to recover. Some back injury victims might need to be hospitalized or have surgery, which can be common with spinal injuries. Treatment can last for months in many cases.

Any type of back injury can result in debilitating pain and severely restricted movement abilities. This means you might not be able to work or engage in your usual household activities until you fully recover. The losses from a back injury can be significant, and you need the right legal representation helping you seek financial compensation.

Insurance claims following back injuries from minor accidents can be complicated. Insurance companies often challenge losses stemming from back injuries, which can make the process stressful and difficult. It is important to have an experienced attorney protecting your rights.

After a serious back injury, discuss your options with a Tustin car accident lawyer at the Law Office of Gary A. Peterson. Contact us online for a free case evaluation.