If you are suffering from back pain due to a car accident, you are not alone. In fact, back pain is one of the most common injuries that car accident victims suffer from.

If you have been in a car accident and are experiencing back pain, it is important to know what steps to take next and whether or not you have the right to file a personal injury claim.

Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today.

Is It Normal To Have Back Pain After a Car Accident?

Yes, it is normal to have back pain due to a car accident. Back pain is the most common injury sustained in car accidents and can occur due to several factors, such as blunt force trauma or from your body being thrown around in the car due the forces of the impact.  

The impact of the accident could cause you to twist or turn, stretching your tendons or muscles beyond capacity. If this happens, you’ll notice that your pain worsens when you move, and you might have muscle spasms or cramps.

Back Injury Symptoms

Symptoms of a back injury after a car accident can vary depending on the type of injury. Some common symptoms include:

• Pain in the back
• Numbness or tingling in the back or down one or both legs
• Weakness in the  legs
• Difficulty walking or standing
• Chronic pain

It is important to pay special attention to the location and severity of the pain with back pain. It could be stress-related or a sign of a concussion, brain injury, back injury, neck injury,  or even a blood clot.

Common Back Injuries From a Car Accident

The back is a complex part of the body that can be injured in many different ways. However, some common car accident injuries relating to back pain include:

Discogenic Pain

Discogenic pain is a type of back pain that is caused by damage to the spinal discs. This can be a result of trauma to the vertebrae in the back. 

Hyperextension and Hyperflexion

These are two types of injuries that can occur when the back is overextended. Hyperextension occurs when the spine bends too far backward, while hyperflexion happens when it bends too far forward.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal discs in your lumbar spine are flat and round, like a jelly doughnut. When too much pressure is placed on them, the inner portion of the disc can push out through tears in the outer layer. This is called a lumbar disc herniation or herniated disc.

Fractures

The bones that make up the spine can break or fracture in an auto collision. These types of fractures include:

• Compression fractures occur when force causes the discs to compress one another, causing a fracture.  Fractured transverse processes are small pieces of bone on each side of each vertebra that extend outward from the spine.
• Sacral fractures are breaks in the bones of the tailbone.
• Muscle strains and ligament sprains – The muscles and ligaments that support the spine can be overstretched or torn during a car accident, causing a portion of the vertebrae to break. This can cause pain and limited movement.
• Spinal fractures are breaks in the bones of the spine and can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the back and down one or both legs. 

Facet Joint Injuries

The facet joints are the small, paired bones that connect each vertebra to its neighbor, causing intense pain and stiffness.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries may cause back pain, tightness, pinching, and muscle spasms.

Acute vs. Chronic Back Pain

Back pain after a car accident can be either acute or chronic, depending on the severity of the injury. There are two types of back pain: acute and chronic. Acute back pain is short-term, while chronic back pain lasts for three months or more.

Muscle strains or ligament sprains usually cause acute back pain. It is typically mild to moderate in intensity and lasts for a few days to several weeks.

Chronic back pain is more serious and can be caused by various conditions, such as degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, or herniated discs. It is typically more intense than acute back pain and may persist for months or years.

Treatment For Back Pain

There are many different ways to treat back pain after a car accident. These include:

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists can teach you how to strengthen your core muscles and improve flexibility in order for you to return to normal activities as quickly as possible after a car accident.

Pain Medication

Pain medication (e.g., ibuprofen, acetaminophen). These medications can help to reduce pain and inflammation in the back.

Injections or Surgery

Epidural steroid injections (ESI) are a type of injection that is used to treat chronic pain due to nerve damage or inflammation. ESI’s may be given once or twice per month for up to three months at a time.

Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be needed to repair a broken bone in the spine or remove a ruptured disc.  Often when you have surgery vertebrae are fused together.  This is called a fusion.  

What To Do After Suffering Back Pain

If you are experiencing back pain due to an auto accident, it is important to see a doctor for evaluation and treatment. There are many different ways to treat back pain, and the best option will depend on what is causing your pain.

A doctor can help you determine the cause of your back pain and recommend treatment options that are right for you. If left untreated, back and neck injuries can lead to chronic pain, disability, or a severe spinal disc injury, so it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible after an accident occurs.

How Long Does Back Pain Last After a Car Accident?

Back pain after a car accident can last anywhere from a few days to several months, or can even be permanent.  The duration of back pain will depend on the severity of the injury and the treatment received.

Compensation for a Lower Back Injury Following a Car Accident

If you have suffered a lower back injury due to a car accident, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries.

Compensation is  available if:

• The other driver was at fault
• You have incurred medical expenses
• You have incurred lost wages
• You have suffered a permanent disability
• Your ability to work in the future has been affected

Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to learn more about your legal options.

Suing for Back Pain After a Car Accident

If you are experiencing back pain after a car accident, you may be considering filing a lawsuit against the other driver.

While it is certainly possible to file a lawsuit for back pain after a car accident, speaking with an experienced personal injury lawyer first is important. Many factors need to be considered when filing a case, and a lawyer will be able to help you determine whether or not it is in your best interest to file one.

If you decide to pursue legal action for back pain after a car accident, several things need to be taken into consideration. First, you may want to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer about the following:

• What is the severity of your injury, and has it impacted your ability to work or perform daily tasks?
• How much medical treatment will you need, and how long will it take to recover from your injuries?
• Have you been diagnosed with a chronic condition that could be made worse by further injury (such as arthritis)?
• How much income have you lost due to time spent in the hospital or unable to work?
• How much money will it cost you if someone else is responsible for causing your injury?

If these questions are answered, then they can help determine whether or not a lawsuit would be appropriate. A lawyer will also take into account any other factors that may affect the outcome of your case.

What Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Can Do For You

The Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence to establish liability and negligence.

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.

Determining the Value of Your Case

Many factors go into determining the value of your case. These include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our attorneys have experience evaluating cases just like yours to determine what they may be worth and will work hard to get you fair compensation for your injuries.

Here are a few of our case results:

• $6 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a rear-end collision.
• $4.8 million for a severely injured client after another vehicle struck his motorcycle.
• $1.9 million for a client who suffered a permanent back injury due to a car accident.
• $1.5 million for a client who had to undergo multiple surgeries after a negligent motorist cut off his motorcycle.
• $1 million settlement obtained on behalf of our 19-year-old client who was a passenger in a car in which the driver lost control, causing a collision. As a result, our client suffered extensive brain damage with cognitive impairment. He was in a coma for an extended period of time. Although he has regained consciousness, he is unable to care for himself. The law firm asked the Court to appoint him a guardian to care for him. The law firm is helping to establish a special needs trust so that the proceeds from the settlement will be protected against any medical liens.
• $1 million settlement on behalf of a client who suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.

Contact an Accident Lawyer Today

If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.

 We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600  or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.