Getting out of a car accident alive without any major traumatic injuries (broken bones, burns, head injuries) will make you think the accident wasn’t so bad. After all, you survived, and your insurance company likely covers your vehicle.
However, what do you do about neck and back pain that develops over time and starts to affect your daily life?
The symptoms of whiplash from a rear-end collision that hinder the comfort of your lifestyle throughout the years are significant injuries. Neck pain and back pain after a car accident can quickly and unexpectedly become debilitating.
Fortunately, there are ways you can get the treatment and compensation you deserve after your accident.
How Long Should You Be Sore After a Car Accident?
During a car accident, the overwhelming force causes your body to whip back and forth with an unnatural amount of power. As a result, the muscle fibers in your neck and back strain and become incredibly sore. Some of the common symptoms of whiplash are headaches, sharp pains throughout your neck and back, nausea, and even a concussion.
You don’t always feel the symptoms of whiplash right away. Sometimes it can take up to 24 hours to feel any pain since your body is still in shock.
This incident is known as delayed pain after a car accident.
Most people feel the worst of their symptoms after waking up the morning after the accident takes place.
What do you do if your neck hurts after a car accident? You can’t rule these pains out as temporary, as they can develop into more severe injuries in the future.
How Long Does Neck Pain Last After a Car Accident?
So how long should you be sore after a car accident?
In some cases, car accident neck pain starts to recede after a few weeks. Many people experience neck and back pain for months or even years after their accident. You can wait and see if your injuries will go away after a few weeks, but it’s recommended that you take action right away.
Other things that determine how long neck pain lasts after an accident are age, pre-existing conditions, and whether you treat your injuries correctly. Your pain tolerance might be higher than others, so you don’t notice your injuries or brush them off as being minor pains.
However, you should still consider reaching out to a legal professional for financial compensation, even if your injuries appear to be minor.
What to Do if You Have Symptoms of Whiplash from a Rear End Collision
Please don’t take any chances when it comes to your health. If you’re experiencing symptoms of whiplash, see your doctor right away.
A doctor can determine the severity of your injuries and help with pain treatment after an accident. The sooner you see a doctor, the better chances you’ll have of a full recovery.
If you don’t know where to get medical help, our team of personal injury lawyers can refer you to a doctor without any out-out-pock costs.
Treatment for Neck and Back Pain After an Accident
Other than seeing a doctor, there are a few things you can do at home to help treat your back and neck pain after a car accident.
To start, you can look into several different stretches and exercises that help recover your mobility and reduce pain. However, stretches and exercises will only get you so far.
If you want to treat your neck and back pain correctly, you’ll need a proper diagnosis from a doctor. Knowing your pain’s root cause is the best way to ensure you will have a safe and speedy recovery.
Some of the most common neck and back injuries after an accident are:
- Herniated disc
- Lumbar sprains
- Spinal stenosis
- Facet joint injuries
A doctor can take x-rays and determine what’s causing your pain and discomfort.
After, they will recommend the best route to take for treatment and possibly provide you with medication.
Common Back Injuries After an Accident
If you’ve been rear-ended, back pain after a car accident is incredibly common. Car accidents can cause soft tissue damage and several other spinal cord injuries that can negatively affect your lifestyle. As a result, those experiencing such injuries should consult with a doctor and then a personal injury attorney.
The spinal cord is intricate and can leave you extremely vulnerable if critically injured.
Your spine has three main sections: lumbar (lower back), thoracic (upper back), cervical (neck). Each section of the spine contains several nerves and soft tissue.
Lower Back Pain After a Car Accident
Since the lower back consists of several muscles, an injury can cause a great deal of pain.
One of the most common lower back injuries after a car accident is a herniated disc. A herniated disk is where one of the discs in the spine slips out of place, causing pain and difficulty to walk or stand.
Upper Back Injuries After a Car Accident
The upper back directly connects to our ribs and several other muscles. As a result, injuries to the thoracic spine can limit movement and make it difficult to breathe.
Additionally, a traumatic upper back injury can leave you with nerve damage and other more severe conditions.Â
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces between your spine become more narrow. This injury can put significant pressure on your nerves throughout the upper and lower back and leave you in a lot of pain. Physical therapy and medications are the best way to treat this condition.
Help with Pain Treatment After a Car Accident
If, after seeing the doctor, you still feel discomfort from your accident, try out some of these home treatments:
Ice the Affected Area
After an accident, your joints and ligaments are overstretched and swollen. Even if your injury is a few weeks old, icing the affected area will reduce inflammation and pain.
Make sure to use ice several times per day and for about 15 minutes. You’ll really start to feel the difference after only a few days.
Use Heat Packs
Heat packs work wonders for muscle and joint injuries. Like ice, apply a heat pack every 2 to 3 hours for about 15 minutes every day. The heat will encourage blood flow, which will ultimately speed up your recovery.
Try an Over the Counter Medication
If your doctor gives you the green light, try out some over the counter anti-inflammatory and pain medications.
Some of the most common are Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and naproxen.
Move Your Neck Frequently to Prevent Stiffness
If your neck sits in one position for too long, you’ll experience painful stiffness and will make it generally uncomfortable. The best thing you can do to prevent this is to keep your neck in motion as much as you can. This can include light stretching or rotating your neck to help maintain mobility.
Avoid Sitting for Too Long
Perhaps you work at a computer all day, and that’s okay.
However, make sure you take frequent breaks to stand up and stretch. This little extra effort will help relax your muscles and make you feel more comfortable throughout the day.
Avoid Heavy Lifting
Carrying heavy objects can make your symptoms worse. Therefore, you should avoid any heavy lifting if possible. If you’re required to lift heavy objects for your job, make sure you do it properly to avoid any further strains.
Compensation for Back and Neck Pain After a Car Accident
If you’ve recently been in a car accident or are currently going through a costly medical recovery, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
You can start by speaking to a personal injury lawyer to see your options for suing for the damages.
Not only do you deserve the financial compensation to help pay for the expensive medical bills, but you also deserve some restitution for the emotional roller coaster the accident has you on.
You would be surprised at what you’re entitled to if you can find the right attorney.
On that note, if the other party is at all responsible for reckless driving or negligence, then you are entitled to compensation for lost time and money.
You are entirely in the right to file a lawsuit and get a fair settlement.
Why You Need A Personal Injury Attorney
Fighting this battle on your own won’t be easy.
Insurance companies don’t have your best interest in mind and will do everything they can to cut corners. If the other party involved has an efficient legal team, they might find loopholes to prevent you from receiving the compensation for back and neck pain after a car accident you deserve.
A reliable personal injury lawyer will ensure that your case is taken care of correctly and that you’re well-protected in a court of law.
Additionally, the entire legal process can take several months, so you need a dedicated legal professional who can handle your case while you continue to live your life.
How to Find Help for Delayed Pain After a Car Accident
Have you or a loved one recently been in an accident and is suffering from neck and back pain?
Reach out to our office today to schedule a time to speak with one of our leading personal injury lawyers.
Our legal team has years of experience winning personal injury cases. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
