Back Injuries

Back injuries caused by Jacksonville car accidents are all too common. Automobile accidents are one of the leading causes of spine injuries in the United States. According to the Mayo Clinic, motor vehicle accidents account for about 40 percent of all back injuries. Back injuries can be very painful, debilitating and persistent. As well as seeking out an experienced medical provider, those hurt in Jacksonville wrecks should talk to a personal injury lawyer who has knowledge and experience in handling these types of cases.

The spine is a very complicated structure. It’s also one of the most sensitive parts of the human body. The spine is not built to withstand the powerful forces associated with a car crash.

Both back and neck injuries are common in car accidents. People involved in wrecks may suffer ongoing pain and complications even after a low impact car collision.

The forces associated with a car wreck place strains on the ligaments and muscles in the back. Facet joints often bear the brunt of the force from the collision. As Jacksonville car accident injury lawyers, we see a wide range of injuries ranging from whiplash to life-altering spinal injuries like paraplegia and quadriplegia.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are the most serious and potentially life changing of back injuries suffered in a car crash. Damage or severing of the spinal cord is linked to paralysis that may be partial or total below the point of the injury.

Paraplegia, also known as partial paralysis, is a form of paralysis in which the body’s function is substantially impeded from the waist down.

Quadriplegia, also known as tetraplegia, is more severe because it affects all four limbs, as well as the torso. It typically follows a severe spinal cord injury to the upper back or the neck.

Both paraplegia and quadriplegia are very serious and typically require long-term care. People who suffer acute conditions of this nature should talk to a Jacksonville back injury accident lawyer to help them recover the most.

Spinal Fractures

Spinal fractures after a car accident in Jacksonville occur in the mid to lower back. When a fracture is suspected, emergency workers should immobilize the car accident victim in a cervical neck collar with a backboard before moving the patient.

It’s vital to immobilize the patient because broken bones can press into the spinal cord and cause a spinal cord injury.

Treatment of spinal fractures after a Jacksonville car wreck depends on the severity and type of the fracture. If the accident victim has a more stable type of back fracture like a compression fracture, the break can be treated through the wearing of a brace for up to 12 weeks, rehabilitation exercises, and gradually stepping up activities. Extension fractures can be treated with a cast or brace if the bones fit back together, although surgery may be necessary.

Nerve Pain

Nerve pain from back trauma results in numbness and tingling throughout a range of extremities. This condition is known as radiculopathy. The pain radiates from the nerves and travels down the hands, legs, feet and arms.

Herniated Discs

Herniated discs are also known as slipped discs or ruptured discs. They occur when the impact of a car crash causes the soft center of a spinal disc to push through a crack in the tougher exterior casing.

Some herniated discs cause few symptoms. Others impact nearby nerves and lead to pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg. On occasions, a herniated disc may require surgery but often this condition will heal on its own.

Spondylolysis

Spondylolysis is a stress fracture in one of the vertebrae. It can result in the vertebra moving out of place. This type of injury can be caused by hyperextension of the spine. If a severe slippage occurs, the spinal cord or nerves may be compressed.

Initial treatment for spondylolisthesis is typically nonsurgical. Avoiding exercise and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce back pain may be prescribed. In some cases, a GP may recommend the patient wear a back brace to help support the spine as it heals.

Our lawyers have helped people who suffered a wide range of back injuries in car, truck and motorcycle accidents. Back injuries are notoriously complicated and symptoms can linger long after the initial impact. It’s important that people who suffer back injuries in auto wrecks cover enough to meet their needs. Call us today at (904) 632-0077.