Getting into a car accident is a serious matter. Even if you feel fine immediately following the accident, it doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t injured. This is especially true of back and neck injuries sustained from rear-end collisions. In many of these situations, injuries can remain undetected for days or even weeks.
This aspect of car accident injuries leads many people to forgo proper care and avoid going to the hospital altogether. Unfortunately, this means the problem goes untreated and can eventually get worse. If you’ve been in a rear-end car accident, it is essential to learn more about back and neck injuries and how you can seek compensation for them.
Symptoms of a Back or Neck Injury
The symptoms of a back or neck injury are not always obvious or immediate. But there are several symptoms that commonly point to a possible back or neck injury that you can watch out for. It is important to note that a symptom in any of these areas could suggest other injuries as well.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to take them seriously and seek prompt medical attention:
Neck Pain
Neck pain can be much more serious than bruising or neck strain. That’s because neck pain is commonly linked to soft tissue injuries, whiplash, and spinal cord damage.
Whiplash happens when the head is jerked back and forth rapidly, similar to the cracking of a whip. When this happens, it strains the neck and connected tissues. This can cause pain that extends to the back muscles. These types of injuries are common in car accidents due to the neck snapping back and forth at high velocity.
Neck pain can also point to other soft tissue injuries, such as muscle strains. These types of injuries occur when back and neck muscles tear as a result of the force of the accident. Symptoms of muscle strain include a limited range of motion, discomfort, and stiffness in the affected area.
Even if you are not experiencing outright pain after an accident, stiffness and reduced range of motion could be signs of something more serious. Consequently, ignoring these signs could lead to more significant injuries.
Back Pain
Back pain after a car accident can point to a variety of ailments, including slipped discs, damage to the spinal cord, and cervical vertebrae fractures.
It typically occurs when an undue amount of pressure is placed on the spine, such as the pressure felt in a rear-end collision. A slipped disc happens when this pressure pushes a disc out of place.
While you may experience sharp pains, you could also experience a variety of other symptoms that you might not immediately recognize as serious. These symptoms include limited range of motion, aches, and stiffness.
When you seek treatment for back pain, the doctor will likely take X-rays to view the extent of the damage and investigate any other underlying issues. Once they have determined the severity of the injuries, they will work with you to form a recovery plan.
Headaches
Many people assume that chronic headaches following a rear-end collision are nothing more than an effect of the stress their body suffered during and after the accident. However, headaches can be indicators of injuries like whiplash, a concussion, and other forms of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
The headaches associated with a rear-end collision do not always develop instantaneously. Sometimes they can take days or weeks to manifest. That’s because head injuries often occur as a result of your head hitting the interior of the vehicle or due to your brain hitting the interior of your skull.
Even mild headaches can be indicators of an injury, so make sure to see your doctor even if the pain from the headaches isn’t severe.
Abdominal Pain
Car accidents, including rear-end collisions, can result in severe internal bleeding that often manifests as abdominal pain. If you sustained blunt force trauma to the abdomen and are experiencing pain after the fact, you could be bleeding internally.
In addition to pain, you should be on the lookout for the following symptoms:
- Abdominal swelling
- Bruising
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Headaches
Internal bleeding is not always readily apparent. However, it is crucial to seek medical attention if you suspect any internal bleeding, as leaving it untreated can result in serious complications. This is why early identification and treatment can make all the difference.
Numbness
There are several injuries that can result in numbness or tingling after a rear-end collision. Depending on the location of the injury and the speed of the impact, these kinds of injuries can range from mild to severe.
Here are some examples:
- Herniated discs
- Spinal damage
- TBI
- Nerve damage
Numbness or tingling can be a sign of extended neurological damage and paralysis. It is not something that should be ignored. If you have experienced an injury to the head, neck, or back and are experiencing numbness or tingling afterward, seeking medical attention is essential.
Changes in Behavior
Changes in behavior that occur after a rear-end collision could be the result of a TBI. Symptoms include frustration, irritability, and the inability to concentrate. You may also experience headaches and migraines.
Additionally, you could be experiencing changes in behavior due to psychological trauma sustained as a result of the accident. It is common for victims to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a vehicular collision.
If you are experiencing changes to your behavior, you may need to consult a doctor or mental health specialist.
Seeking Compensation for Your Back and Neck Injuries After a Rear-End Crash in Los Angeles
If you sustained your neck or back injuries due to the negligence of another party in Los Angeles, you may be eligible to seek compensation for the harm you suffered. To do so, you will need to prove your injuries and demonstrate that the other party caused them with the help of a Los Angeles car accident lawyer.
Proving your injuries involves providing documentation and evidence. You can create a paper trail immediately after the collision by visiting your doctor and letting them check for injuries. In addition to seeing a doctor, you can keep a journal of your injuries. This will show a dated track record of your pain and suffering.
An experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney can evaluate your case and determine your best legal options going forward.
