Neck and Lower Back Pain After an Accident

The spinal cord is a complex part of the body. A spinal cord injury can give you temporary or long-term symptoms, including neck and lower back pain. Chronic pain can be debilitating, interfering with your ability to work and reducing your quality of life. Neck and lower back pain after an accident could also point to a serious injury, such as a herniated disk or paralysis.

Common Types of Neck and Back Injuries

The spinal column is divided into five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum and coccyx. These regions separate groups of vertebrae based on their location in the spine. When an accident fractures or injures the spine, the point of injury will determine where the victim experiences symptoms. Typically, symptoms will arise below the point of impact.

The spinal cord can suffer many different types of injuries in an accident, including:

• Whiplash
• Sprains and strains
• Torn ligaments
• Pulled muscles
• Pinched nerves
• Nerve damage
• Herniated and ruptured disks
• Torn disks
• Spinal concussions
• A dislocation of the spine
• Spinal fractures

If you are experiencing lower back pain, this could point to an injury in the lower portion of your spine, such as bruising of the lumbar spine or sacrum. Neck pain, on the other hand, could be connected to injuries in the cervical spine. A physician can diagnose your back or neck injury using imaging scans and other tests.

Symptoms of Neck and Back Injuries After an Accident

Many different types of accidents can cause neck and back injuries. The most common are motor vehicle collisions, bicycle and pedestrian collisions, falls, sports impacts, and acts of violence. A neck and back injury from an accident can cause symptoms such as:

• Acute or chronic pain in the neck, head or back
• Pinching sensations in the neck, back or arms
• Headaches, especially in the base of the skull
• Muscle weakness or the inability to lift objects
• Trouble moving your fingers and toes
• A tingling or numb feeling anywhere in your body
• Trouble with balance or movements
• Respiratory issues or trouble breathing

As the victim of an accident in Houston, you may notice pain from a neck or back injury immediately. However, it could also take hours or even days for you to notice pain connected to a spinal cord injury. Your adrenaline from the accident can work as a pain reliever to mask the symptoms of an injury. You also may not notice an injury until something else triggers it, such as a herniated disk slipping out of place when you lift an object a few days after a car accident.

What to Do If You Experience Neck or Lower Back Pain After an Accident

If you notice pain anywhere in your back after an accident, do your best to limit your movements until paramedics arrive. Pain, stiffness or tingling could be signs of a serious injury that may get worse if you move the wrong way. Call 911 to request an ambulance or get a ride to the nearest hospital in Houston right away.

Tell the doctor about your accident and describe where you feel any pain. Let the doctor know if you have a prior history of neck or back pain. The doctor will conduct a physical examination and may use x-rays to get a better look at your spinal cord. If you are diagnosed with an injury that causes neck or lower back pain, contact a Houston personal injury lawyer for information about your legal options.

An attorney can give you personalized advice about your specific case. If someone else carelessly caused your spinal cord injury, that person may be financially responsible for your related medical expenses. This can include physical therapy, medications, surgeries, rehabilitation and medical devices. The at-fault party could also be responsible for your losses of income, pain and suffering, and property damage from an accident.