Fractures (bone breaks), wounds, substantial bruising, and damage to your spinal cord and internal organs are all examples of severe back injuries. Any of the following symptoms may point to a significant back injury: Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath Arm, leg, hand, or foot numbness or pins & needles that won't go away Fever or signs of infection Loss of bladder control In some cases, back pain is the only symptom people have to indicate that they're injured. If you suspect that you've been in a serious car accident, call 911 immediately. Stay on the phone with emergency responders; they need to know exactly where you were injured. After the emergency personnel have left the scene, follow their instructions completely. Don't try to move yourself. The first thing you should do if you have been in an accident involving another vehicle is to make sure everyone involved is okay. If anyone has been taken to the hospital, find out what happened from other witnesses or by contacting the hospitals directly. You may also want to contact your insurance company to report the claim. If you have been in an accident with no other injuries, then you should get medical attention as soon as possible. The doctor will be able to tell you whether further treatment is needed and if so, what type of surgery might be required.