Neck and back injuries are among the most common types of injuries victims sustain following a car accident. Sadly, they can also be some of the most serious injuries, leading to chronic pain and mobility issues that last for months or years, even in minor cases. When this happens, victims may struggle to work in the same capacity that they once did or find it difficult to perform essential daily tasks. That’s not to mention the emotional challenges that an injury often brings.
In this article, we’ll discuss what types of back and neck injuries can result from a crash, how they affect victims, and what legal options may be available.
Common Types of Back and Neck Injuries from Car Accidents
Even minor car accidents can cause a serious neck or back injury, and the symptoms and severity of the condition can often change depending on the impact location. Below are a few common examples:
- Whiplash: When a person’s head is whipped back and forth, it can hyperextend the neck, causing pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness. Whiplash is most common in rear-end collisions.
- Herniated Discs: A herniated disc happens when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer, pressing on nearby nerves. This can cause shooting pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs.
- Strains and Sprains: When a car is hit suddenly, the drivers or passengers often brace themselves instinctually or tense suddenly. This can cause torn muscles, tendons, or ligaments in the back or neck, causing the victim to experience pain, swelling, and reduced mobility.
- Spinal Fractures: Sometimes the force of a car accident is strong enough to cause the spine to break or crack. However, like many other types of neck or back injuries, a spinal fracture is not always immediately noticeable. Even so, if left untreated, it can result in severe back pain, mobility issues, or even nerve damage or paralysis.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Even minor damage to the spinal cord can cause severe, permanent medical conditions. In most cases, this will manifest as complete or partial paralysis, cognitive issues, or even coma or death.
One of the most unnerving aspects of a neck or back injury is that they are not always immediately apparent. What often starts as a sharp pain or the inability to turn a certain way can sometimes progress into the complete inability to walk, sit, stand, or lift in only a matter of days or weeks. This is why it’s important to get a medical evaluation following any car accident, regardless of the level of pain you’re experiencing.
How Back and Neck Injuries Can Impact a Person’s Life
The immediate pain and mobility issues that are typically associated with serious neck or back injuries are devastating on their own, but for many car accident victims, these issues are nothing in comparison with the wide range of secondary issues that they often bring. Simple tasks like lifting groceries, playing with children, or sitting for extended periods may become difficult or impossible.
If the injuries prevent a person from working or caring for themselves, it can not only affect their sense of self and outlook, but also drain them emotionally. Living in constant pain or dealing with uncertainty about the future often comes with anxiety, depression, and a deep sense of frustration. Many individuals feel isolated, especially if their injuries prevent them from maintaining the social or work lives they once had.
Oftentimes, financial challenges also arise. The initial medical expenses associated with the accident, from hospital stays to physical therapy, can range into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. If the injury is serious enough, the victim may also need to hire in-home care to help with tasks such as hygiene, cooking, cleaning, and mobility. Others may need to install in-home modifications such as wheelchair ramps or elevators. These costs can feel insurmountable when the injury itself makes earning income difficult or impossible.
Key Legal Considerations after Suffering an Injury
If you are dealing with a serious back or neck injury after a car accident, you may be wondering whether you have grounds for a personal injury claim. These cases generally hinge on proving that another driver’s negligence caused your injuries and connecting that negligence to the physical, financial, and emotional losses you’ve experienced. Establishing that link is what allows you to pursue compensation.
Protecting your rights starts with good documentation. Keep detailed records of your medical care, from diagnostic tests to prescriptions and therapy notes, as well as receipts for related expenses like mobility equipment or in-home care. It’s also important to track how your injury affects your daily life and ability to work, since these details may factor into your case.
Be cautious in your communications with insurance companies. Adjusters may seem supportive, but their priority is limiting payouts. They may try to twist your words, downplay your injuries, or push for a quick settlement that doesn’t reflect your true costs. Avoid recorded statements or admitting fault, and consider letting an attorney take over these conversations for you.
Working with a lawyer early in the process can make a significant difference. An experienced attorney can gather the evidence needed to build your case, handle negotiations on your behalf, and fight to ensure that you are not left with a settlement that falls short of what you need to move forward.
How Compensation Works in Back and Neck Injury Cases
The purpose of a personal injury lawsuit is to help accident victims recover compensation that reflects the true scope of their losses. The average settlement for back and neck injuries can vary significantly, since no two cases are alike. Factors such as the degree of negligence, the strength of the evidence, and the severity of the injuries all influence how much compensation a victim may ultimately receive.
Compensation can cover a wide range of losses. This typically includes medical expenses, ongoing rehabilitation, lost income from time away from work, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the cost of long-term care or home modifications if needed. For instance, someone with a herniated disc requiring surgery may have more extensive medical and rehabilitation expenses than someone with a mild whiplash injury.
Taking Your Next Steps After a Car Accident Injury
The challenges of a serious back or neck injury extend well beyond the initial pain of the crash. Victims often face months or years of medical treatment, lost income, and emotional strain, all of which can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, the law provides a path to pursue the resources needed to rebuild your life and regain stability.
Working with a trusted car accident lawyer can make the process far less stressful. Your attorney can manage communication with insurers, gather the documentation needed to strengthen your claim, and take your case to court when necessary. This gives you the time and space to focus on recovery while increasing your chances of a successful outcome.
Throughout the year, our writers feature fresh, in-depth, and relevant information for our audience of 40,000+ healthcare leaders and professionals. As a healthcare business publication, we cover and cherish our relationship with the entire health care industry including administrators, nurses, physicians, physical therapists, pharmacists, and more. We cover a broad spectrum from hospitals to medical offices to outpatient services to eye surgery centers to university settings. We focus on rehabilitation, nursing homes, home care, hospice as well as men’s health, women’s heath, and pediatrics.
Disclaimer: The content on this site is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, legal, or financial advice. No content published here should be construed as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare or legal professional regarding your specific needs.
See our full disclaimer for more details.
