Lower Back Pain From a Car Accident? Understand Your Options

Why Do I Have Back Pain After a Car Accident?

Virtually all back injuries from car accidents come down to a matter of physics. Cars can move at very high speeds. If the car’s momentum stops or starts abruptly—like when it hits (or is hit by) something heavy or anchored—things inside the car (including a human body) continue moving forward until they collide with an airbag, dashboard, windshield, etc.

The force of impact in a car accident can cause back injuries. So can whiplash caused by the safety device intended to keep your body in motion from crashing into the windshield: your seatbelt. In this case, the forward-moving body is suddenly stopped and jerked back. (Most of the time, people think about a neck injury in conjunction with whiplash, but chronic back pain in a car accident can be related to whiplash as well.)

RELATED: How to Prove You Have Whiplash—and How a Lawyer Can Help

Common Back Injuries That Can Cause Chronic Pain After a Car Accident

When it comes to your pain after a car accident, there are a variety of possible back injuries you may have sustained. Some of the more common ones, and the injury symptoms, include:

• Lumbar sprains and strains. Excessive physical force—such as the kind placed upon the body during car accidents—can cause muscles and connective tissues (tendons, ligaments) to stretch beyond their normal range. A strained back muscle or sprained tendon may become inflamed and lead to chronic pain in the lumbar region. You might also experience restricted movement with one of these soft tissue injuries. Fortunately, physical therapy can help restore movement and possibly even reduce the likelihood you will need surgery for your back injury.
• Herniated disc. A herniated disc is a common back injury that can happen for a variety of reasons, including motor vehicle crashes. The bones (lumbar vertebrae) in your spinal column are separated by gel-filled spinal discs. When you have a herniated disc, the gel-like material normally contained inside the spinal discs may come into contact with nerve tissue, which can be a source of severe pain.

RELATED: How Much Is a Fair Herniated Disc Settlement in Georgia?

• Discogenic pain. If you have sharp, shooting pain in your lower back that worsens by sitting, standing, or bending over for short (or long) periods of time, it’s possible this injury is responsible. Discogenic pain develops when inflammation or other problems with a spinal disc irritate the nerves. In some cases, this radiating pain continues down to other areas, such as the groin, legs, or feet in a related condition known as sciatica. If the pain goes away or improves when you lie down, it’s even more likely this is what you are experiencing.
• Spinal stenosis. The bone channel housing your spinal cord and nerves can become narrow due to a severe car accident. This happens when a bone fragment or ruptured disc slides into the spinal canal. You will likely have sharp, severe back pain from this injury because of the pressure applied to the nerves coming from the spinal column. Intense pain is a warning sign for nerve injury or damage.
• Cauda equina syndrome. A rare and severe form of spinal stenosis, cauda equina syndrome is a condition where all the nerves in the lower back become compressed. Some symptoms are similar to sciatica, in that issues such as pain, weakness, and numbness may extend beyond the back into one or both legs. This can make it difficult to get up from chairs or stumble when you walk. Other symptoms include bladder problems, incontinence, and sexual dysfunction. If your accident has led to this condition, there is a significant chance you will need surgery.
• Degenerative spinal disorder. This term generally refers to any of several potential conditions, including spinal osteoarthritis, degenerative scoliosis, and spondylolisthesis. While these conditions are commonly associated with spine tissues breaking down over time from natural aging, there can be an earlier onset caused by physical trauma, such as a car accident.

While this list covers several likely possibilities for your back pain after a car crash, it is certainly not exhaustive. And while we can point you in the right direction, it is always best (for both your health and your legal case) to seek diagnosis from your doctor or another licensed medical practitioner as soon as possible.

Besides receiving proper diagnosis, the simple fact of the matter is that you do not want back injuries to be left untreated. This is especially true if the car accident caused damage to any of your spinal nerves. Early intervention can potentially help you avoid permanent nerve damage. Plus, pain medication reduces suffering and physical therapy can play a role in helping you recover from back injuries.