It is not always easy to know if your back pain is simply a muscle strain, a soft tissue injury,  or something more serious. You will not know for sure until you are evaluated by a medical professional, such as a Chiropractor.
There are several symptoms that indicate medical attention is needed. Here are some of the common back injuries caused by car accidents:
Disc Herniation is caused when the discs absorb the majority of the impact to the spine causing the soft center to push through a small crack in the exterior of the disc, which irritates the surrounding nerves. Some people experience symptoms such as tingling, numbness, arm pain or leg pain depending on the location of the herniated disc.
Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra shifts out of place due to a stress fracture in the bone. This may cause the bone to press on the nerves or narrow the spinal canal, causing pain, numbness, weakness, and difficulty walking. However, some people may not experience any symptoms at all until years later which is why it is crucial to be examined thoroughly after a car accident.
Spinal Fractures are very common in the middle and lower back during an auto accident. The impact that the upper body and lower body may sustain can pull the vertebrae apart. Some cases may result in spinal cord injuries or broken vertebrae. The most common symptom of a spinal fracture is moderate to severe back pain that becomes worse with movement.
If you experience back pain in a car accident, you should be evaluated by a doctor to make sure you did not sustain any serious injury. If you are experiencing numbness, tingling, weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control you may have a severe injury that must be addressed immediately.