Why Car Accidents Cause Back Pain

Even low-speed collisions generate forces significant enough to damage spinal structures. The lumbar spine absorbs enormous energy during impact. Common injuries include muscle and ligament strain, disc herniations, vertebral fractures, and facet joint injuries.

Lumbar Strain
Muscle and ligament injuries from sudden impact. Common, painful, and often underestimated.
Disc Herniation
Disc material pressing on nerves, causing radiating pain, numbness, and weakness.
Facet Injury
Small spinal joints damaged by accident force. Causes local and referred pain.
Fracture
Compression or burst fractures in high-impact collisions. Requires immediate imaging.

Why Imaging Matters

Back pain that seems like "just a muscle strain" on physical exam can indicate significant structural injury on MRI. At MAIC, every patient with post-accident back pain receives thorough evaluation and imaging ordered on clinical findings — not cost minimization.

Legal Significance

Lumbar injuries are among the highest-value injury categories in PI cases — especially when they cause functional limitations or require surgery. Comprehensive documentation from day one is essential for maximizing case value.

Same-day evaluation. On-site MRI. Causation narratives to your attorney within 24 hours. Call 866-404-MAIC.