Vehicle accidents can cause a wide range of injuries. In many cases, injuries are relatively mild, and those involved make a full recovery. However, some vehicle accident injuries are delayed, and signs and symptoms do not show up for a while after the incident occurs. Here, we specifically want to look at delayed back pain after a car accident. This type of injury can create difficulties when it comes to seeking medical care as well as securing compensation from the at-fault party. A Chicago personal injury lawyer can help make this possible.
Common Types of Back Injuries After a Vehicle Accident
Some of the most obvious back injuries that occur after an accident involve the spinal cord. Often, spinal cord injuries are immediately apparent after a collision occurs because they can result in temporary or partial paralysis that leads to short or long-term disabilities.
However, it is not uncommon for a person’s body to go into “fight or flight mode” after a collision occurs. This usually means that the body releases a stream of adrenaline that gives a temporary energy boost and can cover up significant back pain. Some of the most common types of back injuries after a vehicle accident include:
- Muscle and tendon strains
- Whiplash (affecting the neck and upper back)
- Spinal cord issues
- Herniated or ruptured discs
- Nerve damage (including the sciatic nerve)
Can a Car Accident Cause Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the pathway of the sciatic nerve. This nerve branches from your lower back through the hips and buttocks and down both legs. In most cases, sciatica will only affect one side of a person’s body.
Sciatica can occur in a wide variety of ways, typically when something causes the sciatic nerve to become pinched or otherwise become injured. It is entirely possible for a vehicle accident to cause sciatica. Our bodies go through trauma anytime a collision occurs and we are inside of the vehicle. Even relatively minor accidents can lead to our bodies moving in directions they do not usually move. Often, sciatica is a delayed injury that is not immediately realized in the aftermath of a vehicle accident. It is crucial to seek immediate medical care after a vehicle accident occurs and to follow up with a doctor with any type of pain that continues to occur in the back area after a vehicle accident.
Types of Compensation Available for Sciatica After a Car Accident
Individuals who experience sciatica as a result of a vehicle accident may be entitled to various types of compensation from the at-fault party. This can include both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages can refer to coverage of any calculable expenses after an accident occurs, such as medical bills, lost income, property damage expenses, and more. Non-economic damages refer to more immeasurable types of losses. For sciatica, this can include immense emotional and psychological pain and suffering caused by the injury.
It is very important for any person who experiences sciatica as result of a vehicle accident to work directly with an attorney who can help them with their entire case. An attorney can investigate the incident, determine liability, and work with medical professionals to help their client recover full compensation.