Upper back pain after a car crash is concerning and may disrupt your daily routine. Your upper back pain may be difficult to diagnose and treat due to its complex structure.
Table of Contents
If you are experiencing upper back pain after a car accident, do not hesitate to reach out to our Harrisburg car accident attorneys. We can communicate with the insurance company and help you seek the claims you need to recover from damages and injuries.
Speak to one of our attorneys today. 717-727-2500.
What Causes Upper Back Pain After a Car Crash?
Your upper back plays a vital role in protecting you from crash impact. Also known as the thoracic spine, this area connects the base of your neck to where your ribs end. Think of it as armor for your spinal cord and internal organs. The muscles, bones and nerves in this region work together to help you breathe, move and stay upright.
However, your upper back may get injured if the force of the crash causes your seatbelt to restrain your body or the airbag deploying lead to bruising or fractures to the upper back. Upper back pain could happen in a car crash in several other ways, such as:
- Whiplash: This type of injury is often associated with neck pain, which can also affect the upper back. The constant back and forth motion of the head and neck can strain muscles and ligaments in the upper back.
- Spinal Compression: If you are in a seated position and bracing for impact, your spine can compress under pressure. This compression may result in vertebral fractures or damage to the discs in your spine.
- Body Collisions: Your body may collide with parts of the car’s interior, such as the seat, steering wheel or dashboard, causing direct trauma to the upper back.
The force of a crash affects your upper back in several ways. Here are the most common injuries that car crash victims may sustain:
- Muscle tears that cause ongoing pain
- Broken vertebrae from severe impact
- Damaged spinal discs that press on nerves
- Direct injury to the spinal cord
- Pinched nerves from swelling
- Torn ligaments between vertebrae
- Small joints that become inflamed and painful
How Do I Recognize Upper Back Injuries’ Symptoms?
Your body sends clear signals when something goes wrong with your upper back after a crash. Pay attention if you experience:
- Pain that feels like a knife in your back
- Muscles that suddenly tighten
- Problems turning or bending
- Pain that shoots down your arms
- Parts of your body that feel numb
- Trouble taking deep breaths
- Constant ache between your shoulders
- Headaches that will not go away
- Stiffness that limits movement
Why Do I Need to Seek Medical Attention Right Away?
Some car crash victims may ignore upper back pain after a car crash. However, waiting to see a doctor could lead to pain getting worse. Visiting a doctor immediately could:
- Create evidence that links the car crash to your injuries
- Finds medical conditions that could get worse without a diagnostic test
- Helps to create a treatment plan for a steady recovery
- Assist you in obtaining a fair claim
How Can Upper Back Pain Impact My Life?
An injured upper back affects more than just your spine. Many people face ongoing challenges like:
- Pain that keeps coming back
- Difficulty with doing simple tasks and hobbies
- Problems with completing work duties
- Feeling depressed or anxious
- Difficulty sleeping through the night
- Changes in family relationships
- Financial concerns due to increasing medical bills
How to Claim Compensation for Upper Back Pain
The aftermath of a car accident, especially after suffering upper back pain, can be costly. If you suffered upper back pain due to a car crash caused by another driver’s negligence, you may have grounds for a car accident claim. Understanding your legal rights is essential.
Key steps to take include:
- Documenting Your Injury: Keep thorough records of medical treatments, expenses and any impact your injuries have on your daily life.
- Report the Accident: File a police report and notify the accident to your insurance company. This helps you to establish a record of the incident.
- File a Claim: Depending on the circumstances, you may need to file a claim with your insurance company, the at-fault driver’s insurance or both.
- Negotiate a Settlement: Your lawyer will help you negotiate a fair settlement that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and any other damages.
- Prepare for Possible Litigation: If you and the other party cannot come to an agreement for a fair settlement, your lawyer may advise you to take the case to court.
Ready to Take Legal Action? Call Schmidt Kramer
If you or a loved one was involved in a car accident and have upper back pain, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. We also advised you to seek legal counsel from a trusted car accident attorney that can help you protect your rights.
At Schmidt Kramer, our attorneys are dedicated to helping victims recover after a car crash. We can help you determine your legal options during a free consultation. Our firm does not charge any upfront costs or fees. If we decide to represent your case, we only get paid if we win
Schedule your free consultation today: 717-727-2500.