Any part of your body can suffer injuries in a motor vehicle accident. However, the back region is particularly vulnerable to the impact and sudden forces that arise in a car crash.
The spine is a complex structure consisting of bones, ligaments, muscles and nerves. When subjected to the trauma of a car accident, these structures can suffer damage in several ways:
Spinal fractures
A spinal fracture occurs when one or more of the 33 spine bones (vertebrae) crack, break or experience other damage. Since these bones protect the spinal cord and allow movement, damage suffered in a crash can cause severe pain and disability.
Herniated discs
Many auto accidents leave victims with one or more herniated discs, which happen when the soft center of a disc pushes through the outer ring. Harmed discs can increase pressure on the spinal nerves, often resulting in pain, numbness and tingling in the legs or back.
Sprains and strains
When soft tissues in the back are stretched or torn, strains and sprains are likely to occur. Sprains involve injury to the ligaments, while strains typically affect the tendons. Although not usually considered severe, these injuries may lead to long-term pain and reduced mobility.
Spinal cord injuries
Trauma to the spinal cord can leave accident victims paralyzed. Depending on the part of the cord damaged, paralysis of the upper body, lower body or a combination of the two can occur. As you might expect, most spinal cord injury victims face disability and other hardships for the rest of their lives.
See a doctor right away if you suffer crash-related back pain. An early assessment will give you the medical evidence necessary to ensure maximum injury compensation under Florida law.
