Neck And Back Injuries After An Accident

Our necks and backs hold us up every day, but they can break down easily after an accident. Learn how to understand your neck and back pain and how to deal with recovery from these all-too-common injuries. 

All at once our bodies are incredibly strong and durable, but vulnerable to injury. Our backs and necks support every movement we make, but they don’t cope well with unnatural movements.

Ironically, the safety mechanisms built to protect us, like our seatbelts, head rests, and airbags, are a major cause of injury and ongoing pain. Don’t get us wrong—these devices save lives and prevent fatal and serious harm, but they can’t absorb the entire impact during the violent force of an accident. 

Your ligaments stretch as your body gets whipped backward, which can make even simple daily tasks like turning your head uncomfortable or impossible.

Can a car accident cause long-term back pain?

We’ve seen accidents cause everything from minor, temporary aches or pains to lifelong injuries with devastating consequences.

But amidst the pain and uncertainty, there is hope. At The Morris Law Group, our car accident lawyers have witnessed first-hand how medical advancements and proactive treatment can help. Read our guide below to understand the intricate nature of neck and back injuries so you can navigate the road to recovery. 

Common Neck and Back Injuries After Accidents

What is a common back and neck injury in a car accident?

The forces in a car accident or other incident commonly cause various injuries, including:

• Whiplash. Because your head is often jerked forward and backward when a vehicle hits another object or stops suddenly, your neck and back muscles or ligaments can become strained, causing neck pain, stiffness, dizziness, and headaches.
• Herniated Discs. The discs between our spinal vertebrae cushion our spines as we move and flex. During an accident, their soft, jelly-like centerss can break through the outer layer, causing serious pain, weakness, and numbness.
• Spinal Cord Injury. In more severe cases, your spinal cord may incur damage, causing partial or full paralysis, loss of sensation in parts of the body, and other serious complications.
• Facet Joint Injury. There are joints connected to your spinal vertebrae that can sprain or dislocate during an accident. These injuries can cause serious pain and limit mobility.
• Muscle Strains or Sprains. Muscles within your neck and back can overstretch during an accident, causing them to tear or become injured.
• Bone Fractures. Your neck and back are full of complex bone systems, which can be fractured or broken in a severe accident. 

The Sudden Impact of Neck and Back Injuries

Your life can change in an instant after accidents, with neck and back injuries impacting your life, your ability to work, and your ability to maintain the same quality of life you enjoyed pre-accident. 

How long does neck and back pain last after a car accident?

Minor injuries may last a few days,  while more severe neck and back injuries can cause lifelong struggles. You may even see delayed neck pain after car accident, where you feel okay in the immediate aftermath, but pain develops over the net 24-48 hours. 

Some common challenges include:

• Chronic Pain. Some people have acute pain that goes away over hours, days or weeks, but chronic pain is ongoing. When pain won’t quit, it can interfere with your work, sleep, quality of life, and mental health.
• Limited Mobility. Injuries can cause stiffness and reduce the range of motion in your neck or back, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks, work, drive, dress or bathe.
• Neurological Issues. Because your spinal cord connects your brain to your body, a serious spinal cord injury can cause nerve damage, numbness, tingling, weakness, and even partial or full paralysis in parts of the body.
• Emotional Issues. Living with neck and back pain can have a long-lasting and negative impact on your mental health, causing anxiety, depression, and other mental challenges that impact your ability to enjoy your life. 
• Financial Stresses. Treating neck and back injuries isn’t cheap, and medical expenses, rehab, and lost wages can seriously impact your financial health. 

Understanding Your Legal Rights

Your neck or back injury may come with a long, expensive road ahead, and you may be entitled to compensation for your losses from insurance companies or at-fault parties. 

Your legal rights for compensation go beyond your medical bills because your losses can be far-reaching after an accident. You may be legally entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, and lost quality of life. We’ve seen everything from lower back pain car accident settlements to spinal injuries, neck injuries, and more. 

Neck & Back Injury FAQs

Can whiplash make my back hurt?

Whiplash is a relatively common cause of neck pain after an accident, but it can also impact your back if your upper and lower-back muscles and ligaments strain. The whiplash movement causes a chain reaction, with the sudden jolt sending shockwaves throughout your body and leading to stiffness, lowered mobility, and upper back pain after car accident. 

What happens if your neck hurts after a car accident?

From a treatment perspective, the faster you move to get help after an accident the better your likely outcomes will be. Seek immediate medical attention, even if your neck pain feels relatively minor—some neck injuries and delayed lower back pain after car accident take up to 48 hours to show symptoms. Follow your doctor’s recommendations, report to your insurance company and the policy, and document everything so you have proof of injury and treatment costs later. 

Can I claim for back pain after car accident?

You have the right to make a claim for back pain after an accident, so long as you can prove that the pain is a direct result of the accident. Use medical evidence, like X-rays, care records, and more, to establish a solid link and prove the connection with your treatment for back pain after car accident. In Ontario, you may have the right to compensation through your own insurer’s Accident Benefits and tort claims against the at-fault driver. 

Can you get compensation for neck pain after car accident?

As long as the neck pain was caused by the car accident, you have a right to claim. See above. 

Does a neck injury qualify for disability?

Possibly, yes. If the neck injury is severe and impacts your ability to function in your life, it could qualify for disability benefits. A minor neck strain that heals quickly with minimal impact on your activities likely wouldn’t qualify, while a more severe injury, such as a herniated disc or nerve damage, causing chronic pain, limited mobility, or neurological issues, could make you eligible for disability benefits.

The Morris Law Group—Car Accident Lawyer Hamilton

The legal process can be complex, and in Ontario you face everything from the statute of limitations to gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, litigation, and more. It’s vital you use a trusted accident attorney who understands Canadian and Ontario laws and can advocate for your fair compensation. 

Our expert legal team at The Morris Law Group has successfully advocated for neck and back injury clients for 60+ years. We’re dedicated to fighting for your rights and ready to answer any question you have—don’t face this difficult time alone. Request a free consultation or call us at 905-526-8080 to learn more and start working on your neck and back pain after car accident settlement.