Most people deal with back pain at some point in their lives. In fact, back pain is one of the most common reasons people see a doctor in the United States each year. While many times back pain is simply caused by a minor strain like a pulled muscle from improperly lifting a heavy object or something similar, other times, you can end up with back pain from a car accident. Minor issues that cause back pain typically resolve on their own without the need for medical intervention, but you should always get checked out by a car accident doctor after an accident. In fact, people who suffer from back pain after a car accident injury are more likely to end up with chronic pain if they don’t have their injuries examined as soon as possible after the wreck. Visit a College Park car accident doctor near you if you experience side back pain after a car accident so you can get an accurate diagnosis and thorough treatment plan.
5 Types of Car Accidents
There are several different types of car accidents that can occur on the road. It is important to be aware of these various types of car accidents and take steps to reduce your risk of being involved in one. Following traffic laws, practicing defensive driving, and maintaining your vehicle can all help reduce the risk of a car accident. Here are five types of car accidents and how they can result in injuries that should be treated as soon as possible.
Rear-End Collisions
A rear-end collision is one of the most common types of car accidents. Commonly referred to as a fender-bender, a rear-end collision occurs when one vehicle hits the back of another vehicle. Rear-end collisions often occur because of following too closely or failing to stop in time. Distracted driving, speeding, and tailgating can all result in a rear-end collision. It’s important to note that even a rear-end collision that occurs at a low rate of speed can still result in car accident injuries.
Side-Impact Collisions
Side-impact collisions are also commonly referred to as T-bone accidents. A side impact collision occurs when the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle, forming the shape of the letter “T”. This type of car accident is often caused by driver error, like running a red light or failing to yield the right of way. Side-impact collisions can result in serious or even life-threatening injuries, especially if your car has fewer safety features like airbags built into the sides of the vehicle.
Head-On Collisions
A head-on collision occurs when the front of one vehicle collides with the front of another vehicle. These types of car accidents can be particularly dangerous because of the forces and high speeds typically involved. A head-on collision can also result in serious car accident injuries that may even be life-threatening. A driver or passenger could get ejected from the vehicle with the force of impact, resulting in significant injuries.
Single-Vehicle Accidents
Single-vehicle accidents refer to a car accident where a vehicle crashes on its own, meaning it does not collide with another vehicle. A single-vehicle accident may involve hitting a guard rail, fence, or another type of property. Single-vehicle accidents are often caused by factors such as weather, poor visibility, or mechanical failures. A single-vehicle accident can still result in significant car accident injuries, especially if the sudden force of the impact caused the driver or passengers to get jolted around violently.
Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents are another serious type of car accident that can result in dangerous or life-threatening injuries. A rollover accident refers to when a vehicle tips over either onto its side or the roof. This type of accident can occur because of excessive speed, overcorrection, or uneven terrain.
Car Accident Injuries That Can Cause Side Back Pain
A car accident can be an incredibly stressful experience. You may feel so overwhelmed that you don’t realize you have even been injured right away. The adrenaline likely coursing through your body after a traumatic event like a car wreck can also temporarily mask pain and other symptoms. That means it may take hours or even a few days for you to fully experience all the symptoms of your car accident injuries. Back pain is a common complaint after a car accident, and certain types of car accident injuries can result in back pain on the side of the body.
Sprains & Strains
Damage to soft tissues in the body, including muscles, ligaments, and tendons, is known as sprains and strains. A sprain refers to an injury to a ligament, which helps connect bones to other bones at a joint. Ligaments help stabilize joints in the body, so damage to one of the ligaments in your back that stabilize your spine can result in back pain, bruising, and swelling in the area. A back strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon that helps connect bones and muscles together. When a muscle or tendon becomes overstretched or torn, it results in a strain. A back strain can occur along with an injury like whiplash or occur in the muscles along the sides of your back that support your back.
Broken Bones
Broken bones can also occur due to a car accident. A broken bone that can cause back pain on the side of your body may include a broken rib. A broken rib refers to when a rib bone breaks or fractures, commonly caused by a sudden blow to the area. A broken rib can cause severe pain when you’re breathing or moving your chest and upper body. You may also experience swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the area. Sometimes a bruised rib can also be mistaken for a broken rib, which is why it’s important to get these kinds of injuries checked out by a car accident doctor.
Herniated Disc
A herniated disc refers to a spinal injury that can occur because of a car accident. The sudden impact or jostling around caused by the force of impact can damage the spinal discs that separate vertebrae in the spine. Spinal discs are comprised of a tough outer shell that protects a gel-like center. If the outer shell becomes cracked or torn due to trauma from the accident, the gel-like center can slip out and aggravate nearby nerves. Nerves around the spine control a variety of functions, and irritation or damage to one of these nerves can send pain and other signals to other parts of the body, like the side of your back.
Nerve Damage
Nerve damage can occur due to a herniated disc or because of another type of injury or irritation to a nerve. The nerves in and around the spine that get damaged by a car accident injury can disrupt healthy communication from the brain to the rest of the body. Swelling, inflammation, and compression can all impact nerves and cause side back pain after a car accident.
Organ Damage
In serious cases, organ damage may occur because of a car accident. Damage to the kidneys, spleen, liver, pancreas, or intestine can cause pain that may radiate into your back and side. A sudden blow to the back, abdomen, or side can result in pain in the area and elsewhere, depending on the type and severity of the injury. Your car accident doctor will check for and rule out serious organ damage after a car accident.
What to Do after a Car Accident
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it can be difficult to stay clear-headed and know what steps to take next. Here are three things to remember with what to do after a car accident that can help keep you safe and may even save your life.
Accept Emergency Medical Attention
If paramedics arrive at the scene, you should always accept emergency medical attention. Even if you don’t experience any pain right after the accident, first responders are trained to check you over for any injuries and get you any emergency medical treatment as needed. Remember that shock and adrenaline can often mask signs and symptoms of a car accident injury, so it is best to get looked over by a professional.
Track Any New or Changing Symptoms
Keep track of any symptoms you experience immediately after the car accident if you notice them. You should also jot down any new symptoms you notice and when you first notice them. You can also keep track of any changes to your symptoms, like an increase in pain with certain movements or a decrease in dizziness after resting. Share these symptoms with your doctor and a timeline of when they occurred to help them assess and diagnose your car accident injuries.
Follow Up with a Car Accident Doctor
Always follow up with a car accident doctor after an accident. If you received medical attention at the scene or in an emergency room, you would still need to find a suitable doctor for follow-up treatment. Car accident doctors work with these types of injuries every day and have the skills and expertise to treat a wide range of injuries. If you didn’t get any medical attention at the scene or immediately after, a College Park car accident doctor can diagnose and treat car accident injuries.
How a Car Accident Doctor Can Help
Car accident doctors provide comprehensive diagnostics and treatment plans for a wide range of injuries and issues after a wreck. The sooner you find out what types of injuries you have sustained from the car accident, the sooner you can get started on treatment and improve your chances for a full recovery. Here’s how a car accident doctor can help you with side back pain after a car accident.
Injury Diagnosis
Car accident doctors can diagnose your injuries using a combination of reported symptoms, your medical history, a physical assessment, and diagnostic imaging tools. Your doctor will want to know what symptoms you have been experiencing and may also examine areas where you experience pain and discomfort. They can also use technologies like X-rays, CT scans, or MRI to get clearer pictures of the affected area to help determine or rule out a car accident injury.
Pain Management
Car accident doctors offer a wide range of options for managing your pain after a car accident. Your car accident doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to help manage pain and inflammation, or they may write you a prescription for a more serious injury. They may also recommend more natural options for pain management, like resting, applying ice, and heat to the area.
Chiropractic Care
Car accident chiropractors can also help you recover from side back pain after a car accident. Chiropractic care for car accident injuries offers an all-natural solution to treating the source of your pain and other symptoms.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist can support you through your treatment and recovery from a car accident injury. Whether you are dealing with a back strain or a broken rib, your physical therapist will provide you with personalized treatment and techniques to help you recover while also improving your strength and mobility.
Surgical Interventions
In some cases, surgery may be required to treat your car accident injury. Car accident doctors who perform surgery will talk to you about all your options for treatment and about what surgical options may be necessary to treat your injuries.
Recovering from a Car Accident Injury
Visit AICA Orthopedics in College Park for a team of highly qualified and effective car accident doctors. Our doctors include orthopedic surgeons, chiropractors, physical therapists, and neurologists who work together to provide you with comprehensive treatment and care. Our College Park car accident doctors have access to state-of-the-art equipment to diagnose and treat your injuries on-site, so you can get everything taken care of in one convenient location. Get started with our team of trusted car accident doctors at AICA Orthopedics in College Park today!