A car crash happens in a split second, and when a vehicle comes to a sudden stop, your spine bears the full force of the impact. These injuries can range from mild to severe damage that permanently alters a victim’s life. Learn which spinal injuries are commonly caused by car crashes.
Spine Injuries From Car Accidents
Accidents can impact any area of the back or neck, but certain spine injuries occur more often in car crashes.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a common spine injury in car crashes, especially rear-end collisions. They happen when the neck is suddenly jerked forward and backward, straining muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Symptoms of a whiplash include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and limited range of motion. Severe whiplash can lead to chronic pain and mobility issues. Whiplash symptoms aren’t always immediate, which is why seeking medical attention as soon as possible is important.
Herniated Discs
A herniated disc happens when the soft inner core of the disc pushes out through its outer layer, irritating nearby nerves. The impact from a crash forces the discs out of alignment, or causes them to rupture due to the extreme pressure. You may feel sharp, shooting pain that radiates down your arms or legs, numbness, tingling, or sudden muscle weakness in the affected area.
Fractured Vertebrae
High-impact collisions can fracture one or more vertebrae. Compression fractures happen when the spine is forced forward while the lower body is held in place by a seatbelt, and the vertebrae collapse under the pressure.
Spinal Stenosis
A car accident can contribute to the development or worsening of spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces in the spine narrow, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Trauma from a car crash, especially a severe impact or whiplash can accelerate degeneration of spinal discs, ligaments, or joints.
Spondylolisthesis
A car accident can trigger or worsen spondylolisthesis, a condition where one vertebra slips forward over the one below it, compressing nerves and causing pain or numbness. High-impact collisions can cause fractures or stress injuries to the vertebrae or the connecting joints. Even for those with pre-existing spinal weakness, trauma from a crash can turn a mild condition into one that causes significant pain and limits mobility. Whiplash or a fractured vertebrae are common triggers.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries from motor vehicle accidents represent over 37% of new spinal cord injuries annually, and are one of the most severe and life-changing events that can happen to a victim. Depending on the severity, spinal cord injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and lifelong complications. Long-term treatment could mean loss of wages due to not being able to work, if at all, as well as loss of enjoyment of life.
Spinal Cord Contusion
A spinal cord contusion is a serious injury that bruises the delicate tissue of the spinal cord. During a collision, the sudden force or jolt can cause the vertebrae to compress, twist, or fracture, directly impacting the spinal cord. This trauma can damage the delicate nerve tissue, potentially causing swelling, bleeding, and disrupted nerve signals. Even without a fracture, the rapid back-and-forth motion of the spine can create enough force to bruise the spinal cord. Symptoms can include pain, numbness, weakness, or loss of function below the injury site, depending on the severity and location of the contusion.
Facet Joint Injuries
Facet joints help stabilize the spine, so sudden forces from a car crash can damage these joints causing chronic back pain, stiffness, and reduced flexibility. These injuries may not appear immediately so it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Why You Need to Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident
It’s crucial that you get a medical evaluation after the crash, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks pain, and many serious spine injuries may not show symptoms for weeks or months. Seeking medical attention right away ensures you receive the care you need, and also connects your injuries directly to the accident. This medical documentation will be important when you file an insurance claim and for any future legal claims.
Car Accident Attorneys in Alabama, Tennessee & Florida
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Alabama, Tennessee, or Florida, Wettermark Keith’s attorneys are here to protect your rights and work to pursue the full compensation you may be entitled to. We’ll work quickly to gather medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and expert testimony to build a strong case. Insurance adjusters usually try to minimize payouts, but our experienced motor vehicle accident lawyers know how to calculate the full value of your claim including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term care.
Wettermark Keith has car accident attorneys in Montgomery, Huntsville, Dothan, Birmingham, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Panama City, and represent clients nationwide. Contact us 24/7 by calling us at (877) 455-4518 or filling out our online form for a no-obligation free case review. We fight for your rights so you can focus on healing.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific guidance regarding your situation, consult a licensed attorney.
