New Mexico Back & Spine Injuries

Our Rio Rancho and Albuquerque personal injury lawyer has represented many hundreds of clients with back injuries ranging from minor whiplash injuries to very serious spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis.

Back and spine injuries often occur in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, slip & fall accidents, and bicycle or pedestrian accidents. 

Back injuries can cause problems anywhere from the neck to the tailbone (coccyx). The back includes:

• The bones and joints of the spine (vertebrae).
• The discs that separate the vertebrae and absorb shock as you move.
• The muscles and ligaments that hold the spine together.

Back “injuries” are the most common cause of back pain. Back and spine pain can occur when you use your back muscles in activities that you do not do very often, such as lifting a heavy object or doing yard work. Injuries also may occur from tripping, falling a short distance, or excessive twisting of the spine. Severe back injuries can result from car accidents, falls from significant heights, direct blows to the back or the top of the head, or a high-energy fall onto the buttocks.

Some people are more likely to develop back pain in a car accident than others. Factors that increase your chances of back pain and injury include getting older, having a family history of back pain, previous accidents, sitting for long periods, lifting or pulling heavy objects, or having a pre-existing degenerative disease such as osteoporosis or osteoarthritis.

Sudden (acute) injuries

Back and spine pain from an injury may be sudden and severe. Bruising and swelling may develop soon after the injury. Acute injuries to the back and spine include:

• An injury to the ligaments or muscles in the back, such as a sprain or a strain.
• A fracture or dislocation of the spine. This can cause a spinal cord injury that may lead to permanent paralysis. It is important to immobilize and transport the injured person correctly to reduce the risk of permanent paralysis.
• A torn or ruptured disc. If the tear in the disc is large enough, the jellylike material inside the disc may leak out (herniate) and press against a nerve.
• Compression of nerves in the lower back.

Symptoms of a serious spinal cord injury immediately following a back injury, may include:

• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Weakness in the legs
• Numbness or tingling in the buttocks, genital area, or legs

If you have a back injury from an accident, you should get medical treatment in order to get relief from your pain.  This can include doctor visits, physical therapy or chiropractic therapy.  There are also other things you can do to help reduce your back pain such as:

• Maintain an ideal body weight. This reduces the load on your lower back. Lose weight if you need to.
• Practice good posture and body mechanics.
• Adjust your car seat so that you are not reaching for the steering wheel when you drive. Your arms should be in a slightly flexed, comfortable position.
• Always wear your seat belt while you are in a motor vehicle.
• Home exercises and stretching, under guidance from a doctor or therapist.

These activities can help you recover more quickly from injuries and decrease your chances of having chronic pain from your back injury.

At our Rio Rancho and Albuquerque law offices, your personal injury lawyer at GOODWIN LAW OFFICE has over 20 years experience giving legal advice to clients with back and spine injuries.  We are not doctors or therapists, but we understand how you feel when you have a serious back or spine injury and we know how it can affect your daily life activities.  We know which doctors and treatments you may need, and we know how to properly present the details of your back injury to an insurance adjuster or in court.

We invite you to contact us today for more information on the legal aspects of back and spine injuries in New Mexico.  Please contact GOODWIN LAW OFFICE at (505)896-9477 for a free consultation.