How Common Are Back Injuries After a Car Accident?

Published on Aug 26, 2025 |

Car Accidents

A moving car has kinetic energy which means that when car is suddenly stopped due to a collision with another vehicle, that energy is transferred to the occupants of the car. There’s a moment when the car stops, but the people inside continue to move, even when restrained by a seat belt.

The force of impact in a car accident can mean a jolt forward and backward that results in a back injury.

According to a report published by the National Library of Medicine, up to 50% of all drivers and passengers involved in low-velocity car collisions report some form of lower back pain. Back injuries after a car accident can also lead to surgery, physical therapy, and lost wages. All of that puts a strain on the victim.

It is even worse if another driver’s negligence caused the injury. In this scenario, you’re entitled to file a car accident claim to recoup any of your losses, including the time off from work and pain and suffering.

The amount of your accident settlement will depend on the severity of your back injury and how they affect your life. The following are the most common types of back injuries.

Car accidents can cause a range of back injuries in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions.

Here are some of the most common:

Whiplash

Of all the categories of back injuries from a car accident, whiplash is the most common.

At the moment, the impact of your head and neck jerking backward and forward with such force that it can strain and tear muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your neck. Too often, whiplash is misdiagnosed as not being severe.

That can lead to long-term mobility challenges and lingering pain.

Soft Tissue Injuries

A soft tissue injury relates to a strain or tear on the muscles and ligaments along your back. When it occurs, it can result in significant pain, stiffness, and spasms.

A Herniated Disc

Our spine contains 23 intervertebral discs. The force of a collision can cause the disc to crack, rupture, or become displaced.

The ruptured disc itself might not cause the pain, but when it compresses the surrounding nerves in your lumbar or cervical spine, it can trigger the following conditions:

  • Lower back pain
  • Sciatica
  • Weakness
  • Numbness
  • Tingling down the leg and foot
  • Fractures

The jolt in a crash can trigger a fracture to the spinal vertebrae that requires immediate medical care. These fractures can be simple or compound and may require immobilization to heal.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Your spinal cord connects the vertebrae in your spine and transmits messages from your brain to the rest of your body. If the accident causes the spinal cord to be bruised or lacerated, it could lead to paralysis or permanent nerve damage.

What Are the Symptoms of a Car Accident Back Injury?

After a vehicle collision, it’s common to feel aches and pains all over your body. A thorough examination might reveal that your injury is focused on your back. Some of those symptoms may not appear for days or hours after the accident.

These symptoms can also be managed with over-the-counter medications or completely debilitating. After a car accident, you may experience the following:

  • Muscle Spasms
  • Burning Pain
  • Stiffness
  • Sharp Pain
  • Discomfort When Walking or Standing
  • Tingling or Numbness
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Disorientation

Getting the Maximum Compensation

A back injury after a car accident can be extremely disruptive.

The treatment begins with X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans. From there, you could be prescribed a course of treatment that requires simple rest and pain management.

There could also be more intense treatment that requires surgery, hospitalization, and physical therapy. All of that leads to increasing medical expenses. You also have to factor in your pain and suffering that is directly related to your discomfort and inability to enjoy life.

At Western Justice Associates, PLLC, we work diligently to help our clients obtain the maximum benefits to which they’re entitled.

That can mean negotiating with insurance companies or presenting the case in front of a jury in a civil trial. We have a proven track record of success and pride ourselves on providing the right guidance and information to help you decide what is the next move.

Call to schedule a free consultation.