Back Injuries From Car Accident – Car Accident Attorney in Detroit & Southfield Michigan

Car accidents happen every day, and even those that appear minor may cause serious physical injury. Back injuries, in particular, are among the most common injuries sustained in a vehicle accident.

Back injuries have the potential to cause significant, life-changing pain and disability due to:

• Spinal fractures
• Soft tissue injuries
• Herniated discs
• Spinal cord damage

If you or a loved one has suffered a back injury in a car accident in the Detroit area, you could be entitled to compensation for your losses. The car accident attorneys at Sommers Schwartz can help you pursue your legal options.

TYPES OF BACK INJURIES

Spinal Fractures — These injuries occur when the head and neck are jostled while the lower body stays still, from direct trauma to the spine.

Compression fractures are tiny cracks in the vertebrae that can result in extreme pain breathing issues, bladder problems, numbness, and weakness.

Lumbar and thoracic fractures occur in the vertebrae in the middle and lower back. The bones may pull apart, bend, snap, or break off into pieces.

Spondylolisthesis occurs when a stress fracture causes a vertebra to move out of position. The nerves of the spine become compressed, followed by numbness, pain, weakness, and limited mobility.

Treatment of spinal fractures varies based on location and severity. Immobilization and rest may be enough, but sometimes surgery is necessary to repair the damage.

Soft Tissue Injuries — These injuries happen when the back muscles, ligaments, and tendons stretch too far. A sprain affects a ligament, and a strain involves tendons or muscles. Either can inhibit a person’s ability to move and walk due to swelling, pain, and tenderness.

Sprains and strains of the thoracic spine are especially painful because that area is connected to the ribs and chest, making breathing difficult. Soft tissue injuries in the lumbar spine are painful because of its relationship to muscles that support the back.

Treatments for soft tissue injuries include pain medication, muscle relaxers, chiropractic care, and hot and cold therapies.

Herniated Discs — Sandwiched between each vertebra is a soft, spongy disc that provides cushioning. Each disc has a jellylike center (the nucleus) encased in a tougher, rubbery exterior (the annulus). A herniated disc (also called a bulging, slipped, or ruptured disc) occurs when the nucleus protrudes through a tear in the annulus, compressing surrounding nerves. Depending on its location, a herniated disc can produce pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg.

Spinal Cord Damage — Injuries to the spinal cord can be devastating. If the spinal cord is bruised or severed, a person can become disabled, suffer total or partial paralysis, or lose feeling or function in an area of the body. Treatments include surgeries and other therapies, and often require assistive technology like wheelchairs for improved mobility.

Back injuries frequently require extensive and costly medical care, and people may not return to work temporarily or permanently. Expenses can mount quickly, causing car accident victims to acquire debt and experienced a diminished quality-of-life.

Car accident attorneys at Sommers Schwartz

The Detroit car accident injury lawyers at Sommers Schwartz can help you put your life back together after the trauma of a motor vehicle crash. We have a long and successful history of securing compensation for clients involved in auto accidents. And because we work according to a contingency fee-based structure, you pay nothing until we produce results.

If you have been injured in a car accident, contact Sommers Schwartz immediately for a free consultation to learn how we can help.