How Common Are Spinal Injuries After A Car Accident?

Maryland residents who get into car accidents may be at risk for serious injuries. The spine in particular can be vulnerable.

WHAT IS A SPINAL INJURY?

A spinal injury is one that can affect the neck, middle back or lower back. Injuries occur when the victim experiences impact that jolts the body forward violently and then back such as in a car accident.

People involved in car accidents should seek immediate medical treatment. While it’s common to experience aches and pains after a collision, injuries might be serious if the spine is affected. Prompt medical treatment can quickly diagnose these injuries and prevent them from worsening.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SPINAL INJURIES FROM CAR ACCIDENTS?

Certain types of spinal injuries are exceedingly common after a car accident. Whiplash is probably the most common of all. It normally occurs after a rear-end accident as the neck is violently jerked forward and then back. The injury can affect the vertebrae and tissues in the neck region, causing pain and limited range of motion. In severe cases, a person might have headaches, tingling or numbness in their extremities, sleep problems, tinnitus and even difficulty concentrating.

A herniated disc is an injury that affects a disc in the spine. The disc may have a small break, which puts pressure on the nerves around the area. This injury can develop from the impact of a car accident. Symptoms such as pain that moves down the body, weakness and tingling or numbness can occur.

Spinal fractures can also be suffered in a severe car crash. This injury involves a partial or complete break of one of the vertebrae in the spine. It occurs when the victim suffers blunt force trauma to the spine. Sometimes, the injury can be minor such as a small crack. However, it can be more serious if a vertebra has a full break.