Can a Minor Car Accident Cause Back Pain?

Back injuries are common in car accidents, even when the crash is minor. When someone suffers from a back injury, the consequences can be life-changing. Back injuries can be excruciating and costly. If you have back pain from an accident, it’s important to know your options.

Minor Accidents and Back Pain

With seemingly minor accidents, you might not notice the damage right away. For example, say someone rear-ends you while you’re at a stoplight. Your car has minimal damage, and you feel okay right after the collision. You report the accident, exchange information with the other driver, and move on about your day.

Hours later or the next day, you start to feel shooting pain in your back. You might also feel pain in your neck, shoulders, arms, or more. The pain intensifies with time, even though you thought you were okay.

These injuries are no less real than major accident injuries. Even minor accidents can cause severe or long-term damage.

Types of Back Pain and Injuries

Your back can become injured in different places. There are five main sections of the back, divided by vertebrae—the small bones that form your backbone:

1. Cervical: seven vertebrae that go from your head to your shoulders
2. Thoracic: twelve vertebrae that make up the middle of your back
3. Lumbar: five vertebrae that are in your lower back
4. Sacrum: vertebrae that connect your backbone and hip bone
5. Coccyx: the bones that make up your tailbone

The following surround your spine and vertebrae:

• Ligaments
• Discs
• Tendons
• Nerves
• Muscles

When your back is injured during an accident, any of these structures can become painful. Back pain ranges widely from minor to completely disabling. Since your spine supports all areas of your body, damage from an accident can be life-altering.

Other Types of Back Injuries

Car accidents can also cause the following back-related injuries:

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord is a long tube that runs from your brain stem to the bottom of your spine. Nerves in the spinal cord move messages between your body and brain.

Spinal cord injuries are severe. They can often lead to partial or full paralysis. According to Mayo Clinic, symptoms of a spinal cord injury can include:

• Less ability to touch or feel heat or cold
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Loss of movement
• Intense pain or stinging
• Sexual function issues
• Trouble breathing or clearing your throat

Herniated Discs

The discs in your back protect your spine. They also separate each vertebra from the other. If a disc moves out of place during an accident, it’s known as a herniated disc.

A herniated disc can cause a lot of pain in the lower back. It might also cause leg numbness and nerve pain.

Back Pain Can Take Time to Show Up

After a car accident, your body might flood with adrenaline and other hormones. This can make you more alert and blunt any pain from the accident. Your body goes into “fight or flight” to handle the aftermath of the accident.

Many car accident injuries don’t show up right away. This is why many victims think they’re fine after an accident they think was minor. However, back pain often shows up the most hours or days after a crash happens.

Pay attention to any pain-related changes after your accident. If you notice more discomfort, pain, or numbness, see a doctor immediately. A doctor can order tests and evaluate you for back injuries.

Recovering Compensation for Back Pain

Georgia is a fault state. That means the at-fault party in a car accident is liable for the costs. If your back pain happens because of a crash someone else caused, you have a right to financial recovery.

According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-12-2, there are two main types of accident damages:

1. General damages that you can recover without proof of a dollar amount
2. Special damages that you must prove to recover them

General Damages

General damages are about how the accident impacts your life. Examples include:

• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Anxiety or PTSD

You do not have to prove a dollar amount for these damages. However, you’ll still need to show how your back pain and other accident injuries affect your life.

A car accident lawyer can determine your general damages and assess their value. To discuss the back pain and damages from your accident, contact John Foy & Associates. Call (404) 400-4000 to get a FREE consultation.

Special Damages

Special damages have a set dollar amount. They include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Future medical treatment

Back pain costs can increase with time. Be open with your doctor about your back pain, and schedule follow-ups if your pain gets worse or doesn’t improve.

Your lawyer can determine all of your economic damages from your injuries. That includes physical therapy, rehabilitation, or other costs of treating your back pain.

A minor car accident can cause serious back pain. The severity of a crash does not always determine the seriousness of your injuries. If you have back pain after an accident, talk to a lawyer today about your legal options.

Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer for Free Today

Back injuries can alter your entire life. You might have pain and changes in your routine from now on. If someone else caused your accident, they are liable for all of your losses—including what you’ve lost because of your back injuries.

At John & Associates, we can help you seek compensation. With over 20 years of experience, we know how to win car accident cases. We fight tirelessly for the maximum recovery you deserve.

Call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for a FREE consultation. We don’t get paid unless we win your case.