Pella Car Accident Injury Attorneys

Car accidents cause a wide range of injuries, and some of the most significant involve the back, spine, and soft tissues of the body. Pella residents injured in crashes caused by another driver need to understand the nature of their injuries, the medical care required, and the legal rights available to them under Iowa law. This article covers three common but serious car accident injuries: broken back fractures, torn tendons, and thoracic strain, and explains what each means for your health and your claim.

Even when a crash seems relatively minor from the outside, the human body can be jarred, twisted, and impacted with significant force. Vehicle damage does not always reflect the severity of injuries to the people inside. In some cases, symptoms do not even appear until days or weeks after the collision. This is why it is critical to seek medical attention promptly after any accident, whether or not you feel seriously hurt at the time.

Broken Back Injuries After a Car Accident

One of the most severe injuries a person can sustain in a car crash is a broken back. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2,362,000 people were injured in car accidents in the United States in 2012 alone, and the forces involved in those crashes make spinal injuries a real and ongoing concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that car accidents account for 46 percent of all spinal cord injuries in the United States.

What Is a Broken Back?

A broken back refers to one or more vertebrae in the spinal column becoming fractured as a result of trauma. In a car accident, the two regions of the spine most frequently affected are the thoracic vertebrae in the mid-back and the lumbar vertebrae in the lower back. However, any section of the back may sustain fractures or dislocations in a significant crash. There are three primary fracture patterns a car accident victim may experience: a flexion fracture, an extension fracture, and a rotation fracture. Within each of those patterns, more specific types of fractures may occur, including compression fractures, fracture-dislocations, and axial burst fractures.

The Dangers of Fractured Vertebrae

The vertebrae in the spinal column serve a vital protective function: they surround and shield the spinal cord. When vertebrae are fractured or dislocated, that protection is compromised. If the spinal cord itself is not damaged, no permanent neurological consequences should result, though surgery, significant pain, and a lengthy recovery may still be required. If the spinal cord is damaged, however, the consequences can be far more serious and permanent.

According to the CDC, a traumatic spinal cord injury can result in long-term neurological damage that affects the following systems and functions:

• Nerves throughout the body
• The respiratory system
• The urinary system
• The gastrointestinal system
• Mental health, including depression and anxiety

While paralysis and loss of physical function are the outcomes most commonly associated with spinal cord injuries, changes in mood, personality, and cognitive function are also serious concerns. Even in cases where the spinal cord is spared, fractured vertebrae can require surgery, involve extended and painful healing times, and limit a person's ability to return to the same active lifestyle they enjoyed before the crash. Car accidents that result in broken back injuries can also cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), adding a psychological dimension to an already serious physical injury.

How Seat Belts and Airbags Reduce Spinal Injury Risk

The CDC reports that wearing a seat belt while driving reduces the odds of sustaining a spinal cord injury in a crash by 60 percent. Using both a seat belt and a functioning airbag reduces those odds by 80 percent. Making sure your vehicle's safety systems are properly maintained and using them every time you drive can make an enormous difference in the severity of injuries if a crash occurs.

Torn Tendon Injuries in Iowa Car Accidents

A torn tendon is another serious injury that Iowa drivers and passengers may sustain in a car crash. Tendons are soft, band-like tissues that connect muscles to bones. When the force of a collision stretches a tendon beyond its normal range, the result can be a partial or complete tear that significantly impairs movement and function. The joints most commonly affected by torn tendons in car accidents are the shoulder, ankle, and knee.

Common Types of Torn Tendons from Car Crashes

The specific type of tendon injury depends on the mechanics of the crash and the position of the body at the moment of impact. The following are the most frequently seen torn tendon injuries in Iowa car accident cases:

• Shoulder: Shoulder tendon injuries can include tears of the bicep or the rotator cuff. Either can occur when a person extends their arm to brace for impact. A rotator cuff tear may also accompany another shoulder injury, such as a dislocation or a broken collarbone. Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of long-term disability.
• Ankle: Tearing of a tendon in the ankle can significantly affect a person's mobility and ability to bear weight. This type of injury often results from sudden, forceful impact to the legs during a collision.
• Knee: Torn tendons in the knee include injuries to the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap to the shinbone. A tear to this tendon is frequently disabling and requires a significant amount of force to occur, making it a marker of high-impact crashes.

Signs and Symptoms of a Torn Tendon

If you were involved in a car accident and are experiencing any of the following, a torn tendon may be a factor in your injuries:

• Bruising around the affected joint
• A popping or snapping sensation at the time of injury
• Numbness or weakness in the affected area
• Difficulty moving the joint normally
• Pain that worsens with movement

Treatment for a Torn Tendon

The appropriate treatment for a torn tendon depends on whether the tear is partial or complete. Partial tears may heal without surgical intervention. Nonsurgical treatment typically includes ice application, rest, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and swelling. If those measures are not sufficient, a steroid injection may be used. During the recovery period, the injured person will likely need to avoid working, which can affect wages and financial stability.

Complete tears or cases that do not respond to conservative treatment often require surgery to restore normal movement. After surgery, the patient may need a cast, splint, or sling, and most patients require some form of physical rehabilitation before they can return to normal activities. Recovery timelines are generally longer when surgery is involved, and future medical costs including rehabilitation must be accounted for in any claim for compensation.

Thoracic Strain Injuries: When Mid-Back Injuries Are More Serious Than They Appear

Not every car accident injury is immediately dramatic. Some of the most common back injuries sustained in collisions are what medical providers describe as strains, and while the name may sound minor, the impact on a person's daily life and ability to work can be significant. A thoracic strain is one of the most frequently occurring back injuries in car accident cases, and it deserves to be taken seriously from both a medical and a legal standpoint.

What Is a Thoracic Strain?

The thoracic region refers to the mid-back area of the body. A strain, by definition, is an injury to a muscle or tendon, which are the tissues that attach bones to muscles. A thoracic strain is therefore an injury to a muscle or tendon in the mid-back region. These injuries range from mild muscle pulls that may resolve within a week or so, all the way to full muscle or tendon ruptures where the tissue actually tears. More severe injuries in this category may require several weeks or months of recovery.

Seeking Medical Treatment for a Thoracic Strain

A doctor will typically order an X-ray or other diagnostic imaging and conduct a physical examination to diagnose a thoracic strain and determine its severity. Most thoracic strain injuries are treated with rest and activity restrictions, with physical therapy incorporated into the recovery program to help restore mobility. Over-the-counter or prescription medications may be recommended to manage pain during the healing process. In the most severe cases, surgery may be required to repair a ruptured muscle or tendon.

Regardless of the severity, it is important to retain copies of all medical bills, prescription costs, and documentation of any work restrictions your doctor provides. This documentation will be essential in supporting your insurance claim or any subsequent lawsuit. Because symptoms of a thoracic strain sometimes do not appear until days after the crash, seek medical evaluation even if you feel relatively fine immediately following the accident.

Filing an Iowa Injury Claim for Thoracic Strain After a Car Accident

Iowa is a fault state for auto insurance purposes. This means that the driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for bodily injury and property damage resulting from the crash. If the other driver was at fault, you may file an insurance claim with that driver's insurer to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering related to your thoracic strain. If you caused the accident, a no-fault medical payments (MedPay) policy or your own health insurance may cover your injury-related expenses.

If you are uncertain about how fault is assigned in your case, or if the other driver's insurer is disputing liability, consulting with a car accident attorney before making decisions about your claim is strongly recommended. A qualified attorney can evaluate the specific facts of your crash, help you understand the full value of your losses, and ensure that you are not pressured into accepting a settlement that does not adequately cover your medical needs and financial damages. To learn more about protecting your rights after an Iowa car accident, request a free copy of The Legal Insider's Guide to Iowa Car Accidents: 7 Secrets to Not Wreck Your Case.

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