What to do if you have delayed lower back pain after car accident?

If you have been in a car accident and have experienced back pain as a result, you are not alone. Back pain following an accident is one of the most common symptoms many car accident victims will face. 

Unfortunately, it is also common for people to experience back pain days after their accident. There are many reasons for this delayed onset of back pain, but it is important that whenever the pain does come on, you listen to your body and take the appropriate response measures. If you have been the victim of a car accident in Florida and are experiencing back pain, you have rights and legal options that can help you in your healing. The injury attorneys at Jack Bernstein are committed to representing all victims who begin experiencing back pain and other symptoms following an accident. 

Seeking comprehensive legal guidance can help you during your recovery process. Reach out today to speak with someone about your case. 

What Causes Back Injuries?

Back injuries often results from sudden forces during rear-end collisions, T-bone crashes, or high-speed impacts that abruptly halt your body’s motion per Newton’s Laws. Your torso continues moving forward until restrained by a seatbelt or airbag, straining soft tissues, compressing lumbar vertebrae, or shifting spinal discs, while adrenaline initially masks the trauma. Inflammation from muscle strain or herniated discs then develops gradually, causing symptoms to emerge days later as swelling increases and nerves become irritated.

Areas of the Spine Affected

The spine consists of cervical (neck, C1-C7), thoracic (mid/upper back, T1-T12), lumbar (lower back, L1-L5), and sacral sections, with lumbar vertebrae bearing the most weight and suffering the most common car accident injuries due to their flexibility. Car crashes frequently damage the lumbar spine through sprains or fractures, while thoracic injuries—less common but severe—affect breathing and cause nerve damage.

Cervical impacts lead to whiplash radiating to the back. These areas house 33 vertebrae, discs, nerves, and muscles, where even minor trauma can pinch nerves or cause delayed symptoms from soft tissue damage.

How long does it take to notice back pain after an accident?

The back pain after a car accident often develops gradually and its onset can vary from person to person. There are a number of factors — including age, health, your injury, and where you were seated during the time of the accident — that determine when and where you will feel pain. 

Some people may experience immediate pain, while others may not feel any pain for several days or even weeks. If you do not feel immediate pain, you are not alone. A number of victims report that they don’t feel symptoms, including back pain, until days after the accident. 

For many victims, the body requires time before symptoms of inflammation may be visible. Following intense physical trauma, soft tissue and muscles can become damaged, but you won’t feel it right away. Healing takes time, and so too does muscle strain after an injury. Once this muscle strain makes itself known following inflammation, your body will begin to display signs of swelling, bruising, and pain. 

The surge of adrenaline your body experiences after a car accident can also mask the injury you may have sustained. After your adrenaline levels begin to lower, you will start noticing sore spots, tenderness, and pain throughout your body.

It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accident, even if you do not feel any pain initially. This is because some injuries, such as herniated discs or spinal cord injuries, may not show symptoms until days or even weeks after an accident. If you have other internal injuries, waiting until you start feeling pain to seek medical attention can also cause more harm to your body and impede diagnosis and recovery.

What type of accidents cause back pain?

Any type of accident has the potential to cause back pain. However, car accidents including rear-end collisions, T-bone accidents, and head-on collisions, are some of the most common types of accidents that can cause back pain. The unexpected force of impact during these types of accidents can cause the body to move in unexpected ways, all of which can lead to back injuries. 

The data is clear that car accidents can cause back pain, and in events where an individual already suffers from back pain, a car accident can magnify pain and further exaggerate an injury. One study published in the Accident Analysis & Prevention journal shows that at least 31% of individuals involved in a car accident experienced some form of persistent lower back pain a year following their accident. 

Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints of injury following an accident. But it is not the only one. As with any accident, injuries can range from mild to severe. Other common injuries include but are not limited to the following: 

• Muscle strains or sprains in the back muscles
• Whiplash resulting in pain in the neck and upper back
• Herniated discs
• Fractured vertebrae
• Spinal cord injury (SCI), paralysis, and other neurological issues in severe cases 

Symptoms of Back Injury After a Car Accident

Back pain after a car accident may stem from compressed nerves or inflammation, presenting as muscle spasms (twitching knots), burning pain radiating to buttocks/legs (sciatica), stiffness limiting range of motion, sharp pain when changing positions, or discomfort during walking/standing.

Delayed symptoms include tingling/numbness in extremities from pinched nerves, worsening dull aches, or weakness signaling serious issues like herniated discs—seek immediate medical attention for numbness or bowel/bladder changes. Symptoms range from mild soreness to severe pain disrupting daily life, often masked initially by adrenaline and shock.

7 Types of Common Back Injuries from a Car Accident

1. Lumbar or Thoracic Vertebrae Fractures: High-speed impacts cause compression, burst, or flexion fractures in L1-L5 or T1-T12 vertebrae, initially dull aches escalating to sharp pain with instability.​
2. Back Sprains and Strains: Overstretching of muscles, tendons, or ligaments (soft tissue injuries) leads to muscle strain and delayed pain from inflammation.​
3. Herniated Discs: Spinal disc pushes through its outer ring during crash forces, compressing nerves and causing radiating pain or numbness days later.​
4. Spondylolisthesis: Stress fracture displaces a vertebra, narrowing the spinal canal and producing weakness or walking difficulty.​
5. Facet Joint Injuries: Damage to joints between vertebrae from twisting forces causes spasms, tenderness, and chronic pain.​
6. Discogenic Pain: Direct disc trauma results in sharp, shooting pain to hips/legs (sciatica), worsened by prolonged sitting/standing.​
7. Degenerative Spinal Disorders: Crash accelerates spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, or bulging discs, leading to long-term nerve damage if untreated.​

What to do when you have back pain after an accident 

If you have been involved in a car accident and begin experiencing back pain days after the impact, it is essential to take the appropriate actions for your health and any legal action you may choose to take. Follow these guidelines after experiencing a car accident: 

A. Exchange insurance information 

No matter the circumstances of your car accident, always exchange insurance information with all the parties involved. Additionally, always be sure to contact law enforcement as well in order to have a police report written up.

B. Seek medical treatment

It is essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accident. A doctor can evaluate your injuries, provide you with necessary medical treatment, and document your injuries.

Often, when you alert authorities following a car accident, an officer may ask whether you need to be seen by a medical professional like an EMT. You should always say yes, even if you do not feel as if you have any injuries or if you are not experiencing any pain. Seeking medical attention can help you establish a record of your injuries. This record will become important when you deal with insurance companies or if you decide to seek legal advice. 

C. Home remedies

In addition to receiving medical attention, there are some home remedies you can explore for mild back pain injuries. These remedies include applying heat or ice to the affected area or taking over-the-counter pain relievers.

D. Seek the guidance of a car accident attorney

If you were in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries in the form of a car accident settlement. This compensation can help you deal with medical expenses, property damage, and any pain and suffering you may have had to endure as a result of the accident. Speak with an experienced car accident lawyer to learn more about your legal rights and options.

How Long Does Back Pain Last After a Car Accident?

Mild strains resolve in 1-2 weeks, herniated discs in 2-6 weeks, and whiplash within 3 months, but chronic pain (>3 months) develops if untreated, worsening mobility and mental health. Factors like prior health and injury severity influence recovery; delayed lower back pain after car accident often lingers due to gradual inflammation. Early diagnosis prevents permanent issues like nerve damage.​

Treatment for Back Pain After an Accident

Back pain treatment options after an accident include physical therapy to strengthen the spine, anti-inflammatory medications or corticosteroids for swelling, muscle relaxants for spasms, and surgery for severe fractures or cord compression. Doctors use X-rays, CTs, or MRIs for accurate diagnosis, while chiropractic adjustments offer relief alongside orthopedist care. In Florida, seek care within 14 days for PIP coverage; treatment eases pain management and supports legal claims.​

What Can I Do at Home to Support Recovery?

Apply ice for 2-3 days to reduce inflammation, then heat; rest 2-3 weeks avoiding heavy lifting, sleep sideways with a pillow between knees, and use OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen. Gentle walking promotes blood flow over bed rest; follow physical therapist guidance to avoid aggravating hidden injuries.​

What Happens If a Back Injury Goes Untreated?

Untreated delayed symptoms lead to chronic pain, spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, permanent nerve damage, reduced daily life activities, and mental health issues like depression. Inflammation worsens, escalating soft tissue damage into severe complications affecting work and mobility.

How do I speak with a car accident lawyer near me?

When you speak with a car accident lawyer, you can look forward to working with a lawyer who will help you navigate your insurance claim and fight to secure additional compensation you may be entitled to following your car accident. At Jack Bernstein Injury Attorneys, our legal experts are committed to representing all victims of car accidents as they navigate the journey to healing.

Our legal team is here to help. Reach out today to learn more about your rights and options and speak with a car accident lawyer in Florida you can count on.

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