By: Accident Attorney
Back sprains and strains, sometimes referred to as pulled muscles, are a common injury suffered as a result of a car accident. The symptoms of a back strain can include back pain, muscle weakness and sometimes muscle spasms. The pain can occur suddenly, but usually comes on gradually and worsens without treatment. If you have been involved in a car accident and are experiencing any of these symptoms, always seek the advice of a medical professional to rule out the possibility of the more serious spinal cord injury.
A simple back strain is the most common cause of back pain – particularly lower back pain. What causes a back strain to occur in a car accident? Your spine is made up of bones, discs, your spinal cord, nerve roots and blood vessels. In addition, you have ligaments that link the bones together and tendons that connect the muscles to bones and discs. When your back moves, the ligaments, muscles and tendons work in harmony to handle the external forces placed on your back while it is moving. Both a strain and a sprain affect the soft tissue in your back. A sprain affects the ligaments while a strain affects the muscles and tendons. Both happen when your back is stretched beyond its normal capacity. When your back has received a sprain or strain, inflammation of the soft tissue will result. This happens because it is the body’s natural reaction to the injury. It is also your body’s way of protecting the injured area – sort of a natural splint for the injured area. The inflammation, however, can be very painful. The inflammation can cause someone to be unable to move for a few days and to remain sore for weeks or months later. Back sprains and strains are generally treatable with proper medical attention. As a rule, you will be back to normal within a few months after treatment begins, however left untreated a back strain or sprain can continue to cause pain and may worsen over time.
If you have received a back injury as the result of a car accident, seek the advice of a medical professional immediately. Many people attempt to ignore the pain of a back injury – thinking that the pain will go away on its own. Not only is the pain not likely to subside on its own, but you could have a more serious back injury and not know it if you do not have your injury evaluated. If you believe that someone else’s negligence may be responsible for the back injury that you have suffered, contact an experienced California car accident attorney. Contact the offices of Ledger & Associated at 1-800-300-0001 or visit them online at www.ledgerlaw.com for an evaluation of your case. Only an experienced car accident attorney can assess the facts of your case and advise you whether you have a valid personal injury claim. If someone else was negligent, and that negligence was the cause, or one of the causes, of your back injury, then you may be entitled to compensation for the damages you have suffered as a result.
