Car Crashes and Common Back Injuries

Statistics indicate that nearly two and a half million people are injured in car crashes each year, and many of those injures involve the victims back and spine. Capable of keeping an injured person out of work for extended periods of time or completely disabling a once able-bodied individual, these injuries can range significantly in their prognosis and potential compensation.

Soft Tissue Injuries 

Of all the back injuries, those to the soft tissue tend to be the most common. Experienced both in high-speed and low-impact crashes, injuries to the soft tissue in the back may include sprains, strains, or tears to the ligaments, muscles, or tendons. While these injuries typically heal over a relatively short time period, victims may need medical treatment or physical therapy. They may also miss time at work to heal from their injuries.

Disc Injuries

The spine consists of a bundle of nerves that carry messages from your brain to the rest of your body, as well as a number of bony vertebrae to protect those nerves. To keep those bony structures from rubbing and deteriorating, there are little doughnut-like discs. The outer portion of the discs are tough, but the inside is full of jelly-like fluid.

If the exterior of the disc is punctured from pressure or scraping of the vertebrae during an accident, the fluid can leak out and irritate the nerves of the spinal cord. Generally, these injuries do heal over time, but it can take months. Others may not ever fully heal and may require surgery to treat. In either case, the victim may miss work to heal and treat their injuries.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The severity of a spinal cord injury depends greatly upon the location and “level” of the injury (complete or incomplete). Incomplete spinal injuries are typically less severe and they may partially or completely heal over time, but not all do—and even those that heal typically result in costly medical bills and physical therapy. The victim may also be unable to work for an extended amount of time, or they may become completely disabled and unable to work.

Complete spinal injuries are typically more severe than incomplete injuries, and they are less likely to heal. Most result in long-term or permanent paralysis of at least some parts of the body. The higher on the body the injury is, the more widespread the paralysis generally is. When these injuries occur, victims and their families must carefully consider the lifelong treatment that may be required.

Contact a Santa Clara County Car Crash Lawyer

If you or a loved one has experienced a back injury during a car crash, contact Janoff Law for assistance.  Able to provide you with the skilled and aggressive representation you deserve, our San Jose car accident lawyer will fight to get the most compensation possible. Schedule your free consultation by calling 408-286-2300 today.

Sources:

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812318

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-cord-injury/basics/definition/con-20023837

http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/guide/understanding-spinal-disk-problems-basic-information#1

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Low-Back-Pain-Fact-Sheet#3102_7