Milwaukee Back Injury Lawyer

Virtually any type of car accident can cause back injuries, from a minor “fenderbender” rear end collision to a head on collision at high speeds. The severity of the injuries can depend on a number of factors, including the type of vehicle, location of the impact (front, rear, driver’s side, passenger side), and speed at which the vehicles were travelling when they collided.

Common back injuries due to car accidents include:

• Lumbar (lower back) injury: The fifth largest vertebrae and the strongest muscles in the back are located in the lumbar region. For that reason, sprains and strains in this area can be particularly painful. This type of injury can cause swelling, tenderness, bruising, and loss of mobility. This can seriously affect a victim’s ability to engage in normal daily activities.
• Thoracic (upper back) injury: The thoracic area of the spine is connected to the chest region and the ribs. Injuries in this area can be a serious matter. High-speed crashes can cause fractures and sprains in parts of the back, and could cause permanent damage to the nerves.
• Herniated disc: The discs in the spinal column cushion and separate the vertebrae and help protect the spine. When a disc is displaced in an accident, it can put pressure on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves, causing sudden intense pain and numbness of the legs.
• Spinal cord injury: This is the most serious type of injury suffered in car accidents. When the spinal cord is damaged, it can cause partial or complete paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia) for the injured person.