Back injuries are among the most common injuries following car or workplace accidents. These injuries often don’t manifest pain until days or weeks after the accident, so it can be hard to know whether you must file a claim immediately after an accident. Because of this, it is essential to keep a record of all the parties involved in your accident in case you need to build a case later.
Some common causes of back injuries:
Back injuries aren’t always severe or life-threatening, but they can be substantial enough to file a claim if someone else’s negligence caused them. Some of the most common injuries people suffer are sprains, bulging or herniated discs, fractures, and damage to the spinal cord. According to the Shepherd Center, 38% of spinal cord injuries are caused by auto accidents, while falls account for another 30%. Spinal fractures are the most dangerous of these injuries and require immediate medical attention. According to the Shepherd Center, nearly half of all spinal cord injuries are “complete,” meaning they cause a complete loss of motor function and sensory feeling below the point of injury. So if a spinal cord injury goes unattended, it may result in paralysis.Other long-term effects could include:
- Numbness and loss of sensation
- Partial or complete paralysis
- Loss of bladder control
- Reduced sexual functioning
- Muscle Spasms
- Breathing Problems