Neck and back injuries are common after car crashes, falls, and other accidents. Some cause immediate pain, while others may not become obvious until hours or days later. Even an injury that first seems minor can affect movement, sleep, work, and daily activities.
The effects can also vary widely. Some people recover with conservative treatment, while others need ongoing medical care or surgery. Understanding common neck and back injuries, symptoms, treatment, and potential legal issues can help you know what to expect after an accident.
What Neck and Back Injuries Can Accidents Cause?
A sudden impact can stretch, twist, or place force on the muscles, ligaments, discs, vertebrae, and nerves in the neck or back. The type of injury often depends on how the accident happened and the amount of force involved.
Common neck and back injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Pinched nerves
- Vertebral fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
An accident can also aggravate an existing neck or back condition. Medical evaluation can help identify the source of symptoms and determine what treatment may be appropriate.
What Symptoms Can a Neck or Back Injury Cause?
Pain is a common symptom, but neck and back injuries can cause other problems. Symptoms may affect one area or travel into the shoulders, arms, hips, or legs.
Possible symptoms include stiffness, muscle spasms, weakness, numbness, tingling, headaches, and reduced range of motion. A nerve injury may cause pain or unusual sensations that extend into an arm or leg.
Serious spinal injuries can cause major weakness, loss of sensation, or problems with movement. Anyone experiencing severe or worsening symptoms after an accident should seek appropriate medical attention.
Why Can Neck and Back Injuries Be Difficult to Diagnose?
Some spinal injuries are not easy to identify based on symptoms alone. Different conditions may cause similar pain, and symptoms can change as swelling and inflammation develop after an accident.
A medical provider may use a physical examination, medical history, and diagnostic testing to determine what is causing the symptoms. Depending on the circumstances, imaging such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs may be used.
Keeping track of symptoms and following medical recommendations can also help providers evaluate whether a condition is improving or requires additional treatment.
How Are Neck and Back Injuries Treated?
Treatment depends on the location and severity of the injury, the symptoms involved, and the person’s overall health. A mild soft tissue injury may require very different care from a spinal fracture or damaged disc.
Treatment may involve:
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Activity modifications
- Injections
- Specialist care
- Surgery for certain serious injuries
Recovery times vary. Some people improve relatively quickly, while others experience chronic pain or limitations that require long-term treatment. Following a medical provider’s treatment plan can help document how the injury progresses over time.
How Can a Neck or Back Injury Affect Daily Life?
A neck or back injury can make ordinary tasks difficult. Sitting, standing, lifting, driving, sleeping, or bending may become painful. An injured person may also have difficulty performing job duties or participating in activities they previously enjoyed.
More serious injuries can result in lasting physical limitations. A person may need help at home, changes to their work duties, rehabilitation, or additional medical treatment.
These effects can be important when evaluating the consequences of an accident. Medical records, employment information, and other documentation may help show how an injury has affected a person’s health, work, and everyday activities.
What Compensation May Be Available for a Neck or Back Injury?
When another person or business is legally responsible for an accident, an injured person may be able to pursue compensation under Texas law. The types of damages available depend on the facts and losses involved.
A personal injury claim may seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, physical pain, and other legally recoverable losses. Future medical needs may also be relevant when an injury is expected to require continued care.
How Long Do You Have to File a Neck or Back Injury Lawsuit in Texas?
Texas generally gives a person two years to file a lawsuit for personal injury. The limitations period typically begins when the cause of action accrues, although exceptions or different deadlines can apply in some circumstances.
Waiting can also make an accident harder to investigate. Physical evidence can disappear, records may become more difficult to obtain, and witnesses may have trouble remembering details.
Because the applicable deadline depends on the facts of the case, an injured person may want to determine the relevant time limit well before it approaches.
Contact the Fort Worth Personal Injury Lawyers at Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Neck and back injuries can affect your health, ability to work, and daily routine long after an accident. If someone else caused your injuries, understanding your legal options can help you decide what to do next.
At Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers, our Fort Worth personal injury attorneys can investigate the accident, gather evidence, review your damages, and handle communications with insurance companies. Contact us today at (817) 400-5000 to discuss your accident and learn more about your options for pursuing compensation.