Back injuries caused by car accidents in Tampa, Florida, can be serious. The spine has many nerves that connect the rest of the body to the brain, which control movement. Its delicate structure makes it vulnerable to several injuries, which can interfere with movement.
Whiplash
Whiplash occurs when the head violently jerks back and forth, knocking the spine out of alignment. People commonly think that they didn’t get injured, because the adrenalin masks the pain. Statistics show that whiplash often occurs at low accident speeds at 14 mph or less.
The most common symptom is neck pain, which may range from mild to severe. Other symptoms include numbness or tingling that radiates to the shoulders, range of motion loss, dizziness, and headaches.
Herniated Disc
The spinal column is made of discs that serve as cushions to the spine. The outside of the discs consists of a tough membrane designed to protect them.
The impact of an accident can cause the discs to push through the spine, causing a herniated disc. The first sign a victim may notice is a pain in the lower spine since the bottom discs are more likely to get injured. Other common symptoms of a herniated disc include hand or leg numbness, worse pain upon standing or sitting, and trouble walking.
Spinal Cord Injury
A sudden hit to the spine may cause a broken spinal cord or damage surrounding tissues. Loss of function can still happen even without a broken spinal cord. There are four common types of spinal cord injuries: thoracic, cervical, sacral, and lumbar, or lower back.
The lumbar and sacral spine make up the lower part of the spine, and the sacral spine lies between the lumbar and cranium. Injury to the thoracic spine, or upper back, is usually the most serious injury because it could destroy nerves permanently. Some typical symptoms of spinal cord injury include muscle weakness, trouble breathing, loss of movement, and decreased bladder and bowel control.
Motor vehicle accidents can also cause many emotional and behavioral issues. People who have been the victims of a crash caused by the negligence of another motorist might want to have an attorney’s help when seeking compensation for the losses that they have incurred.
Protect your rights and seek fair compensation for your back injury caused by a car accident in Tampa. Contact Burnett Law, P.A., today to schedule a free consultation with our experienced attorneys.