Neck and back injuries are some of the most common injuries one can suffer as a result of an accident. Although, these injuries can cause immediate, significant pain they more often start slowly, growing worse over time. They can resolve within a few months or result in chronic, ongoing pain over a lifetime.
The nature and extent of the injury depends upon many factors. These can include the severity of the impact, the direction of the impact to your body, the size and weight of the vehicles, and your physical condition before the accident. In a motor vehicle collision, for example, the more damage to the vehicle, the greater the possibility of injury to the occupants. However, this can be misleading because a person may sustain a significant injury even where there is only minor damage to the car. In the very common rear-end accident, a person’s upper torso is thrown ahead with significant force, while the head and neck snap backward. That motion lasts for just a fraction of a second and there may be little or no damage to the vehicle. But, these collisions can cause serious damage to the muscles and tissues of the neck. Such impacts can even result in bulging or herniated discs.
The types of neck and back injuries that a person may suffer in an accident vary widely. They range from simple muscle strains to bulging or herniated discs, to cervical or spinal fractures. A herniated disc, also sometimes called a slipped disk or a ruptured disk, can be a painful and disabling condition. It occurs when one of the spinal discs tear or rupture. In a healthy human spine, each spinal disc is like a small jelly donut composed of a gel-like material enclosed in a tougher exterior. These discs serve as cushions between the bones that make up the spine. When one of these discs crack or rupture, it can result in pain, numbness, and weakness of the limbs. Even if the disc does not fully crack or rupture, the bulging spot may cause significant pain.
A person who suffers from a neck or back injury can suffer from chronic, ongoing pain and other symptoms. These other symptoms may include tingling or numbness that never seems to completely go away. He or she may lose sensation in the legs and may experience a lack of stability and strength in the back. Moreover, the ongoing pain resulting from a spine injury can, over the course of time, cause depression, anxiety and strained family relationships. Finally, costly medical procedures, travel expenses and missed days at work can be a real financial hardship.
All too often serious spine injuries start slowly, as just a nagging back ache and then grow worse over time. Unfortunately, this can cause a person to delay treatment hoping that the pain will resolve on its own. But, that delay in getting treatment can be used by insurance adjusters to deny responsibility for the injury altogether. Thus, it is crucial for a person who has been injured in an accident to get proper medical attention right away.
If you have suffered a back or neck injury caused by an accident, call us for a free consultation at 318-443-7615 or SUBMIT A SHORT AND SIMPLE CASE FORM HERE!
