Back Injured in a Car Crash?

Whiplash is among the most common types of back injuries caused by car accidents. Whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) are a range of injuries to the neck and back caused by a sudden jerking movement of the head. There are more than one million car accident back injuries reported every year. About 10% of such injuries lead to long-term disability.

What are the Causes of Whiplash Injury?

Whiplash injuries are mostly caused by a sudden and violent impact on the neck and/or the head. Such injuries are most common in rear-end collisions. The unexpected impact may cause the victim’s head to jerk forward and then backward. Ligaments in the neck area can stretch and even tear by the sudden movement. The victim may suffer major damage along the spine. Chances of injury are high if the neck muscles are relaxed, irrespective of whether the vehicle was moving fast or slow.

Whiplash Injury: What Damage can it Cause?

A whiplash injury can cause serious damage to:

• Joints
• Discs
• Muscles
• Nerves
• Ligaments
• Spinal cord

What are the Symptoms of Whiplash Injury?

Whiplash injury and its after effects may not be seen immediately. However, the early symptoms may be:

• Pain or stiffness in the neck and back
• Aching shoulders
• Sensory disturbance to the arms and legs
• Recurrent headaches
• Pain in spinal areas
• Back sprain
• Nighttime muscle spasms
• Sexual disorder
• Loss of bladder control
• Soreness of muscles
• Bowel dysfunction

What Should a Victim do?

Immediately after an accident, one should:

• Apply ice – Ice therapy involves wrapped ice in a towel and pressing it gently against the impacted area for about 20 minutes.
• Find a well informed and specialist lawyer - Compensation can vary between $50 and $500,000.
• Consult a good doctor – Do not compromise on the medical help you seek. The doctor may recommend stretching exercises.

A victim may take weeks, months or even years to recover, depending upon the extent of damage. If the accident was caused by another party, one should not delay in consulting a back injury lawyer who can help with claiming compensation. Liable parties may be asked to compensate for medical expenses, the loss of income and/or earning potential and mental suffering

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