Back Pain and Injuries after an Auto Accident

There were a total of 4.5 million car injuries recorded by the National Safety Council in 2018, while there were 40,000 deaths due to auto accidents alone. Every 7 seconds, someone gets injured across the United States, making it the biggest safety hazard.

Back injuries are one of the most critical injuries due to auto accidents. According to the Mayo Clinic, auto accidents can lead to more than 40 percent of spinal cord injuries, while the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association estimates lost productivity of more than $100 billion every year. If you suffer from a back injury from an auto accident, you will have 10 days to report an auto accident, or file a car accident under the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) 625 ILCS 5/11-406 Duty to report accident. An experienced personal injury attorney can be consulted to help make auto accident claims, and seek damages and medical expenses.

An auto accident can lead to following back pain or injuries that need immediate attention and care.

Spinal Cord Injury

The damages done to the nerve or spinal cord can lead to changes in the ability to hold objects or feel sensation in body. It can lead to both temporary and permanent disabilities. In a complete injury, the nerves lose ability to feel any sensation, while in an incomplete injury, there is some sensory function possible. Severe damages can lead to Paraplegia and Tetraplegia.

Discogenic Back Pain

This condition originates due to a damaged vertebral disc and can happen irrespective of a person sitting, lying down, or standing. It’s a form of shooting pain that moves across your body. The pain is hard to identify and needs careful assessment by a physician.

Lumbar Sprains and Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar sprain due to a car accident or from holding heavy objects occurs when the tissues that hold our bones together detach or damage. It’s also the most common cause of back pain. On the other hand, spinal stenosis occurs when the small spinal canal that connects our spinal cord and nerve roots gets compressed leading to a pinching pain, weakness or cramping.

Apart from back pain and injuries, auto accidents can also lead to trauma and emotional distress. Emotional distress can cause loss of focus and for many, be a primary reason for long term depression and anxiety.

If you wish to find out more about workers’ compensation and unusual injuries in Illinois, schedule a free consultation, contact the offices of Robert Edens at (847) 395-2200 to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer.