4 Back Injuries That Often Arise in Car Accidents
According to the Mayo Clinic, motor vehicle collisions are the number one cause of spinal cord injuries (SCIs) in this country. Car and motorcycle accidents account for nearly half of all new spinal cord injuries annually, and they are the leading cause of such injuries in young children.
Of course, SCIs are not the only kind of back injury that you can sustain in a crash. Other common accident injuries include whiplash, spinal fractures, spondylolisthesis, and disc herniation.
These conditions can range in severity depending on various factors, but even minor cases can be debilitating. If you sustained a back injury in a collision that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, physical therapy, home care, and lost wages.
To discuss the circumstances of your case and determine if you have grounds for a claim, turn to Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates. Attorneys Jeffrey E. Estes and Alton J. Smith have been litigating personal injury cases on behalf of California residents for nearly three decades.
Visit our website at www.jeffreyesteslaw.com to learn more about our track record of securing sizable settlements for injured clients. You can schedule a free consultation with a San Diego car accident lawyer by calling 855-290-8080.
Read on to learn about the kinds of back injuries that often arise in motor vehicle collisions:
- Whiplash
Whiplash is the medical term for a sprain or strain of the neck. This condition is especially common in rear-end collisions, when the head snaps backward and forward because of the force of impact. According to WebMD, symptoms typically include:
- Headaches;
- Limited mobility in the neck;
- Pain or stiffness in the upper back;
- Dizziness;
- Irritability;
- Fatigue; and
- Pain between the shoulder blades.
- Spondylolisthesis
When one or more vertebrae slide out of their proper positioning and onto the adjacent vertebra, it is called spondylolisthesis. Depending on the location and extent of the misaligned vertebra, it can end up squeezing the surrounding nerves or digging into the spinal cord.
As a result, symptoms of spondylolisthesis typically include numbness and tingling in the legs, tightness in the hamstrings, and pain in the lower back. In rare cases, this condition can also cause loss of bowel or bladder control.
- Spinal Fractures
Spinal fractures are different from broken bones in other parts of the body because the vertebrae are so close to the spinal cord. When a vertebra fractures, fragments can damage nearby spinal nerves or pinch the spinal cord. As a result, emergency responders will immobilize accident victims immediately if they suspect a spinal fracture.
- Disc Herniation
Most people associate disc herniation with gradual wear and tear over time, but herniated discs can also occur following some kind of trauma. Symptoms of a herniated disc might include leg or arm pain, muscle weakness, and numbness or tingling in the limbs associated with the affected nerves.
If you suffered a serious back injury in a car crash that was not your fault, turn to Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates. Contact us online or call 855-290-8080 to schedule a free case evaluation with a car accident attorney in San Diego. You can learn more about collision claims in California by visiting USAttorneys.com.
