The force of a car accident can leave individuals facing serious injuries, whether it was a rear-end collision or a head-on collision. And it is this force and the jarring movement that can also cause serious damage to one’s back muscles – or their spinal cord.
Back injuries are some of the most common injuries that result from a car accident, but many people might wonder just how serious these injuries can be.
What kinds of back injuries can a crash cause?
Some of the most common back injuries resulting from an accident include:
- Whiplash: While many people associate whiplash with the neck, it can also affect the upper back and spinal cord, and limit one’s ability to move.
- Herniated disks: This is when the disks between the vertebrae – or the bones in the spinal cord – are out of place. This can cause pain or numbness in one’s back, but also their legs or arms.
- Muscle sprains: While sprains and strains in the back muscles are not often serious injuries, they are common. They limit movement and cause individuals pain while they recover from a car accident.
Injuries to the back can affect one’s life much more than they think, especially with how much they can restrict movement. While these injuries listed above often can heal overtime with a lot of rest, there are other back injuries that can have much more serious effects.
How common are spinal cord injuries?
Mayo Clinic reports that motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries across the country. Collisions that result in spinal cord injuries only make up a small percentage of all accidents, but they still pose a serious risk.
This is because spinal fractures or other spinal injuries can cause considerable damage and have lifelong effects. The most serious spinal cord injuries can result in paraplegia or quadriplegia, but even acute spinal cord injuries can significantly decrease movement and require physical therapy to regain function.
Watch out for symptoms – and see a doctor immediately
Back pain and injuries can affect nearly every aspect of one’s daily life, whether they are temporary or long-term. This is why it is important for individuals not to overlook any back pain after an accident – even if they believe the collision was minor.
That is also the reason why it is so critical to seek medical treatment as soon as possible after a crash on North Carolina roads. Sometimes, the signs and symptoms of back injuries might not appear right away. However, seeking medical treatment can ensure the cause of an injury is documented, while also making sure individuals get the care they need immediately.