The National Transportation Safety Board reported in 2012 that there were 1.7 million rear-end crashes that injured 500,000 people and resulted in fatalities for 1,700. While you may not think that a rear-end crash is serious, they can be seriously dangerous for drivers and passengers—even when traveling at relatively low speeds.
A rear-end collision is one of the most common types of accidents and can lead to several types of injuries, including back injuries, as your body will automatically try to brace itself for impact during a crash.
So, what exactly can happen to your body after being rear-ended? Here are the most common types of back injuries that you can incur after a car crash (and what to do in case you or a loved one has been in an accident).
SPINAL FRACTURES
If you are rear-ended, this can often result in throwing your upper body forward while your lower body is held in place (because of your seatbelt). This action can pull your vertebrae apart, which can cause spinal fractures and possible spinal cord injuries. This will cause severe back pain and potentially tingling, numbness, weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
DISC HERNIATION
A disc in your spine will absorb the impact during a car accident, which will cause the soft center of the disc to push through the harder exterior. This will irritate the surrounding nerves and cause arm or leg pain, as well as tingling, numbness, or weakness in the affected area.
SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
Spondylolisthesis is a condition where the vertebrae are dislocated due to a stress fracture. A displaced bone will press against the nerves or cause a narrowing effect on the spinal canal. Symptoms for this condition may not show up right away and might include weakness in the leg, difficulty walking, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE
Soft tissue damage can happen anytime your tendons, muscles, or ligaments in your back are torn or stretched. You may experience mild to excruciating pain, swelling, or stiffness in the back.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A BACK INJURY FROM AN ACCIDENT
Even if you don’t think that you are severely injured after being rear-ended, it’s still always advisable to visit a physician after you have been in an accident. Your doctor can double-check to see injuries that may not be physically presenting symptoms right away and help you recover quicker.
After visiting a physician, you should also contact a personal injury lawyer who can help represent your interests in court and help you pursue compensation for your injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a rear-end collision in Georgia, contact the Fry Law firm today at (404) 948-3571 to set up a consultation.
