Many parts make up the structure of the back; these include muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, and the spinal cord. So when you get into an accident, any one (or multiple) of these parts could be affected.
It is very common, for example, for people to tweak their backs in an accident, meaning they likely strained or pulled a muscle. However, there are also more severe back injuries that can occur and lead to back pain, such as spinal cord injuries. It depends on how severe the accident was and who was injured.
Older adults, for instance, are more likely to easily tweak a back muscle than younger accident victims. Still, anyone of any age can injure their back in an accident. And these injuries, no matter how minor, should always be checked out by a doctor.
Back pain after an accident is common, but it could be a sign of more than just a simple strained muscle. And if you delay treatment, it could make matters worse.
If your back hurts after a car accident, you could be entitled to compensation that could help you pay for medical expenses and other potential damages. For help with your claim, get in touch with one of our Michigan car accident lawyers right away.
Why Does My Lower Back Hurt After a Car Accident?
If any part of your back hurts after a car accident, it is a sign that you are injured. Even the most minor back injuries can result in lingering pain, especially in the lower back area.
Lower back pain is incredibly common after car accidents and is usually a sign of muscle strains. While minor back strains can heal on their own, back pain can also be a sign of more serious underlying trauma, so you should always get checked out by a doctor.
In some cases, back pain can progressively worsen, and if you wait too long, your condition can also get worse if you are not treated properly. So when in doubt, always see a doctor for back pain after an accident.
Common Injuries That Cause Back Pain After a Car Accident
Many different injuries can cause back pain after an accident. And in many cases, there will likely be no external signs of injury. This is why it’s important to get checked out by a doctor, as they will know how to examine you to make sure there isn’t something more serious going on internally.
Some of the most common causes of back pain after car accidents include:
- Soft tissue injuries (muscle sprains and strains)
- Whiplash
- Lumbar fractures
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Spinal stenosis
Spinal cord injuries are the worst kinds of back injuries you could sustain in a car accident. If your back hurts after a car accident, you could have a spinal cord injury and not just a strained muscle. If you need help covering the cost of treatment for a spinal injury after an accident, a Michigan spinal cord injury attorney can help you file your claim.
Signs that you might have sustained a more serious back injury that needs emergency medical attention can include:
- Pain that gets worse over time
- Numbness and tingling in extremities or other body parts
- Weakness
- Changes in bowel or bladder function
How Long Will My Back Hurt After a Car Accident?
In many cases, back pain is not felt immediately after an accident. This kind of pain can take time to develop and become noticeable. For example, inflammation from a muscle strain can develop over the course of a couple of days, and nerve pain from a herniated disc will also take time to become apparent.
Once the pain starts, there is no knowing how long it will last without an official diagnosis. For minor strains, it may only take a few days to a couple of weeks for the muscles to heal. But for more serious injuries, the pain might take much longer to go away and may even require surgery to heal.
The best way to know how long you will be in pain is to see a doctor. They will be able to diagnose you and offer you a treatment plan so you can get on the path to recovery as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, even after treatment, some people experience chronic back pain for months and even years after an accident. This kind of pain can be debilitating. Luckily, it is possible to recover compensation for this kind of pain and suffering after an accident, but you will likely need the help of an attorney to win your case and get the full and fair compensation you deserve.
What to Do if My Back Hurts After a Car Accident?
If your back hurts after a car accident, there are a few things you should do to ensure the best possible outcome:
- Go to the doctor: We can’t stress this one enough. Seeking medical treatment isn’t just for your health and safety, but it can also help you build a stronger case if you need to file a claim. If you want to recover compensation to help pay for your medical bills and pain and suffering, you will need proof that you were injured and sought medical attention.
- Document your injuries: Aside from keeping copies of all medical documents related to the treatment of your back pain and injury, it can also be helpful if you document your injury throughout your day-to-day life. It can be difficult to recover compensation for back pain after a car accident, but if you keep something like an injury journal that documents how the pain is affecting your daily life, this can help.
- Contact an attorney: As soon as you realize you have been injured after your car accident, you should contact an attorney. They can help you get the claim started, gather evidence to support your claim, and overall help you build a strong case to ensure you are fully and fairly compensated for your back pain or back injury.
The Lee Steinberg Law Firm: Detroit Car Accident Attorneys
If your back hurts after a car accident and you need help navigating your claim, our team of legal experts can assist you. At The Lee Steinberg Law Firm, we have years of experience handling Michigan car accident claims, including those involving claims for back pain.
Call our Michigan car accident lawyers at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733). You’ll pay nothing until we settle your case.
