Top 5 common back injuries from car accidents

A road traffic accident doesn’t have to be serious to impact your long-term health. Even a minor crash can lead to common back injuries, causing uncomfortable pain and lasting damage.

If you are suffering with back injuries from a car accident, you could be entitled to compensation. You can talk to our friendly team to find out whether you have an eligible claim. It costs nothing and is risk free, so don’t hesitate to check.

Why do car accidents cause back pain?

Car accidents can cause back injuries due to the sudden, forceful movement of the body on impact. This trauma can stretch or tear muscles, ligaments, and discs in the spine. These then lead to sprains, fractures, herniated discs, or nerve compression.

Even low-speed collisions can twist the back beyond its normal range of motion, causing pain, stiffness, and lasting symptoms.

What are common back injuries after a car accident?

Spinal cords and vertebrae are surrounded by a myriad of muscles, tendons, nerves, ligaments and discs. Should any of these bodily cogs become damaged, you can expect to experience varying degrees of back pain, from moderate to incapacitating.

Below are the FIVE most common causes of back injuries after a car accident.

1 – Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are among the most serious consequences of car accidents or other types of road traffic accidents. These injuries may lead to lasting consequences, from chronic back pain to paralysis.

Symptoms of a spinal cord injury after an RTA:

• Loss of feeling/sensation
• Muscle Spasms
• Chronic pain
• Breathing difficulties

A spinal cord injury can lead to long-term disability, including total or partial paralysis and loss of sensation. In severe cases secondary complications can arise such as:

• Infections following surgery
• Blood clots
• Spinal fluid leaks
• Internal bleeding
• Pneumonia

How spinal cord injuries can happen in an RTA:

• High-impact collisions, including head-on crashes, side impacts, or severe rear-end collisions
• Pile-up accidents, where multiple vehicles collide one after another
• Being thrown from a vehicle, such as in a motorbike accident or in a cycling accident causing a direct impact to the spine
• Pedestrian incidents, where a person has been struck and thrown by a vehicle

Treatment options for spinal cord injuries:

The majority of spinal cord injuries will require pain management, physiotherapy, and surgery.

At Fletchers Solicitors, we make your recovery a priority. Our Rehabilitation and Wellbeing Team ensures that clients receive personalised support tailored to their needs. This team works alongside your legal experts to facilitate:

• Rehabilitation services such as specialist physiotherapy
• Coordinating evaluations by medical professionals to determine ongoing care requirements.
• Assisting with modifications to your living environment to enhance accessibility and independence.
• Vocational and recreational rehabilitation.

2 – Thoracic Spine Injuries (upper back)

The thoracic spine, located in the upper back and connected to the ribs and chest, plays a vital role in stability and movement. Injuries to this area are considered serious.

Symptoms of thoracic spine injuries after an RTA:

• Significant pain in the upper back
• Reduced mobility in the legs or feeling of weakness
• Sensory loss in the legs (loss of feeling)
• Permanent nerve damage, sometimes displaying as tingling, or numbness.

How thoracic spine injuries can happen in an RTA:

• From a high velocity collision, side impact or from a vehicle’s passenger being jolted.
• This injury type is also common in motorbike accidents, as riders can be thrown from the vehicle and lack external protection.

Treatment options for thoracic spine injuries:

If you suffer a thoracic spine injury following a road traffic accident then immediate medical attention is vital for the best outcome. Depending on the severity of the injury, treatment may involve pain management, physiotherapy, or in more serious cases, surgery may be required.

Here at Fletchers solicitors, we ensure that our clients are supported not just in legal terms, but also by accessing the right medical and rehabilitation pathways. For serious spinal and back injury claims, we can assign a dedicated case manager who helps you achieve the best possible recovery while your claim progresses by:

• Coordinating your rehabilitation programme
• Arranging physiotherapy
• Arranging specialist assessments
• Arranging ongoing care 

3 – Lumbar Spine Injuries (lower back)

The lumbar spine, located in the lower back, is supported by the strongest muscles of the vertebrae and plays a crucial role in providing stability. Damage to this area can be particularly painful, often stretching ligaments, tendons, or muscles.

Symptoms of lumbar spine injuries after an RTA:

• Swelling in the lower back
• Tenderness and muscle stiffness
• Restricted movement or difficulty bending
• Difficulty performing everyday task

How lumbar spine injuries can happen in an RTA:

• Sudden deceleration in a car or motorbike collision
• Being jolted as a passenger or during a side impact
• Rear passengers hitting the back of the seat in front or vehicle side panels during a sudden stop or crash
• Vertical impact from a collision that transmits force through the spine
• Being involved in a bus or coach accident, where passengers may be standing or seatbelts are not worn

How are lumbar spine injuries treated?

If you have suffered a lumbar spine injury following a road traffic accident, immediate medical attention is essential to assess the extent of the damage. As with most back and spine injuries, early intervention with physiotherapy is a key part of recovery and in more severe cases, surgical intervention may be required.

What is the role of a case manager in a personal injury claim? 

When dealing with Road Traffic Accident claims that have led to serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries or complex thoracic or lumbar injuries, we may assign a dedicated case manager. They will be able to help you to:

• Determine your immediate and long-term needs.
• Coordinate therapies and support services in a tailored way
• Help with care and treatment choices.
• Ensure compensation funds are used effectively to support the individual’s ongoing care and recovery.

Spinal injury compensation amounts:

Compensation for spinal injuries in the UK varies depending on the individual circumstances of your claim.

While each case is unique, the Judicial College Guidelines provide indicative ranges for general damages (covering pain, suffering, and loss of amenity):

• Minor spinal injury: up to £12,000
• Moderate spinal injury: £30,000 – £150,000
• Severe spinal cord injury: £150,000 – £196,450+

Keep in mind that your solicitor will also seek special damages to cover financial losses such as loss of earnings, medical expenses, and rehabilitation costs, ensuring your claim fully reflects the impact of your spinal injury.

4 – Slipped or herniated discs

A slipped or herniated disc occurs when one of the discs that cushion and separate the vertebrae becomes displaced, often due to the force of a car accident. This can put pressure on the spinal cord or surrounding nerves.

Symptoms of slipped or herniated discs after an RTA:

• Pain in the hip, legs or buttock. The pain can often be described as a radiating pain that affects daily activities.
• Numbness in the legs, feet, back etc
• Neck pain
• Reduced mobility, such as issues bending or straightening back

However, not all herniated discs cause symptoms, and some may go unnoticed. When symptoms do appear, they can range from mild discomfort to intense, radiating pain that affects daily movement and quality of life.

How slipped or herniated discs can happen in an RTA:

• Falls within a vehicle, such as on a coach or bus during a sudden stop or crash.
• Direct impact to the back, such as for pedestrians, motorcyclists, or cyclists.
• Sudden forceful stops in a car or motorbike collision.
• Being jolted unexpectedly as a passenger or driver in a vehicle.

Treatment for a slipped disc:

General treatment advice for a slipped disc includes short periods of rest, pain relief, and a gradual return to normal activities. In some cases, physiotherapy may be recommended to encourage correct movements and exercises, helping to relieve pain and improve mobility.

5 – Sciatica

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the hips and down each leg, is damaged or irritated. This can happen following the trauma of a car accident, particularly if there’s a slipped disc or spinal misalignment.

Common symptoms of sciatica after an RTA include:

• Sharp or shooting pain in the lower back
• Numbness in the legs
• Tingling in the legs
• Weakness in the legs

In some cases, symptoms can appear days or even weeks after the crash.

How is sciatica treated?

Sciatica can present in varying degrees of severity. Often, people suffering from sciatica are referred for physiotherapy and advised on pain management strategies during flare-ups. In more severe cases, surgical intervention, such as decompression surgery, may be offered to relieve pressure on the affected nerve.

Can I get delayed lower back pain after a car accident?

Yes, delayed back problems after a car accident can be just as debilitating as immediate pain following a car accident. Many people soldier on with their day-to-day activities as it’s easy to convince yourself that delayed back pain is unrelated to the car accident.

But following a car accident your body can experience shock which results in a delay in the feeling of pain. Furthermore, because many back injuries aren’t visible, it can feel easier to try and carry on and hope the pain goes away.

Pre-existing back conditions & car accidents

Trauma from a car accident can accelerate the progression of pre-existing spinal conditions. It may worsen their symptoms beyond what would have occurred naturally. This can often result in a much greater reduced quality of life.

Even though the car accident may not have caused the primary condition it is still possible to be compensated for the additional effects that the accident caused.

When assessing pain and shock following a car accident, here are some red flags to watch out for:

• Headaches: If you are suffering delayed car crash back pain, headaches are often a tell-tale sign. Although easily treated with medication, headaches can be nasty and persistent if not properly diagnosed.
• Neck and shoulder pain: Be aware, shooting neck and shoulder pains can be a symptom of whiplash, spinal injuries or a herniated disc. Even if the pain is minor, never ignore it.
• Abdominal Pain: Abdominal (stomach) pain symptoms should never be taken lightly. It can also signify internal bleeding or soft-tissue damage following a car accident.

If you’re in any doubt, the best thing to do is seek medical advice immediately. Call 111 or read NHS advice online to see if your symptoms of back pain match your own.

If it turns out that it is the case you are suffering a back injury, Fletchers Serious Injury can assist you in claiming car accident compensation for your back pain.

Can I make a compensation claim if I have a back injury following a car accident?

Yes, if you’ve experienced back pain as a result of a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be eligible to make a claim. We work on a no win, no fee basis, so there’s no risk in finding out whether you have a claim. Get in touch with our expert team for a free, no-obligation check.

Rebuilding your life following back problems after a car accident

If you have injured your back in a car crash, every aspect of your life could be affected. At Fletchers Solicitors, we understand that the resulting back injury doesn’t just affect your personal or your work life. As trusted personal injury specialists, this is where we come in. We offer:

• Around the clock file management and legal services
• Empathetic and qualified lawyers with case experience related to your injury
• A dedicated Court Of Protection team to handle any financial concerns

If you are suffering from a back injury following a car accident, call our expert lawyers today to ensure that you receive the right advice, as quickly as possible.

Rest assured, our dedicated and friendly team will be able to answer any questions without hesitation or fuss.

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• The severity of the injury
• How long it takes to recover
• The impact on your daily life
• The impact on future earnings

Minor soft tissue injuries may settle for a few thousand pounds, while severe spinal damage or chronic pain can result in six-figure settlements. 

To promote healing, avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities, and consider seeing a healthcare provider if pain persists or worsens.

1. Rest: Avoid strenuous activities for a day or two, but keep moving gently to prevent stiffness.
2. Ice, then heat: Apply ice for the first 48 hours to reduce inflammation, then switch to heat to relax muscles.
3. Gentle stretches: Try light stretching to relieve tension, but avoid any movement that causes pain.
4. Over-the-counter pain relief: Anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen, can help reduce pain and swelling.
5. Support your back: Use a pillow under your knees when lying down to take pressure off your lower back.
6. Consult a professional: If pain persists beyond a few days or worsens, consider seeing a doctor or physical therapist for further advice.

Avoid heavy lifting or sudden movements until fully healed.