What Causes Lower Back Pain after a Car Accident?

After a car accident, many motorists reach for their lower back in pain. Lower back injuries are common after accidents, but there are difficulties with proper diagnosis, and pain is hard to manage. At Snyder Heitman, LLC, our firm consults with injured motorists who are dealing with all kinds of aches and pains after a collision. Contact us today. Our firm can review if you have a strong legal claim for compensation. Below, we look at common injuries which can lead to pain in the lower back.

Herniated or Bulging Discs

The vertebrae have discs in between that provide cushion and prevent bone from rubbing against bone. However, a violent car accident can violently twist your back, which can tear or displace these vertebrae. Sometimes the inner filling pushes through the shell and then presses against nerve roots or the spinal cord. The result: lower back pain, including possible immobility in the legs.

Sciatica

The sciatic nerve runs through the buttocks down to the legs. This nerve can be injured or compressed in a car accident. You can experience:

• Tingling in your legs;
• Burning or shooting pain;
• Weakness in your legs;
• Difficulty standing or walking.

Sciatica can be hard to diagnose, and many people are surprised at the disability they experience.

Strains

Car accidents often tear muscles and ligaments in the lower back. These are common injuries in rear-end collisions, because motorists are thrown forward, stretching all the muscles in the back. But you might also experience strains in a rollover or T-bone collision. The most common symptom is pain, followed by stiffness or spasms.

Strains require rest to fully heal, which can be a challenge if you must work to support yourself. Your doctor might prescribe injections to control inflammation and promote healing, but there are no shortcuts.

Facet Joint Injury

The vertebrae are connected with small joints, called facets. Any car crash can injure a facet joint, resulting in immobilizing pain. Someone with a facet injury might find it impossible to bend over. A doctor can order an imaging test to see if these joints are damaged.

Fractures

The bones in the lower back might also crack due to the forces generated in a car crash. The lower back has the following bones:

• Lumbar vertebrae
• Sacrum (connecting the lumbar spine to the hipbone)
• Coccyx (tailbone)

A fracture can make the lower back unstable, possibly impeding your ability to stand or walk. Pain is often constant. These are difficult bones to stabilize to promote healing. Extreme injuries could require the insertion of a pin or plate to keep bones together.

Arrange a Consultation to Discuss a Car Accident Claim

Lower back pain is surprisingly disabling. Many motorists incur expensive medical bills trying to manage pain and stiffness. They can also suffer thousands in lost income each month. Helpfully, you might bring an injury claim against the motorist who is at fault for your crash.

For an immediate consultation, call Snyder Heitman to talk with a Greenville car accident lawyer. We also represent injured motorists in Spartanburg and Upstate South Carolina.

Source:

my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12792-sciatica