He should definitely go to the doctor. If the driver had insurance, his insurance company should pay for the medicals.

I am sorry to hear this. He NEEDS to be seen, even though there are no obvious injuries. He could have injured his back enough that if he moves a certain way, he could injure his spinal cord. And yes...they will be able to do something. He may also want to consider a chiropractic visit. Back issues are nothing to mess with.

I hope he goes. (((hugs)))

Yes: GO!!

Not just in the hope of immediate relief, but also because back and neck issues can worsen down the line, and the injured person needs to establish injury at the time of the accident to protect his legal rights.

So glad it wasn't worse.

Susan

Please do all you can to encourage him to go. My husband was hit and his car spun around several times and was totaled. He didn't think he needed to go to the ER but he ended up with back spasms for months after that and finally ended up with physical therapy, muscle relaxers, some kind of electrical muscle stimulation and heat treatments. This might have happened anyway but you have to rule our possible fractures before starting therapy.

Make him GO! As others have already said, results of those kinds of injuries often don't manifest themselves until later but may be seen on X-rays, scans, etc. right away.

The last thing he needs is a condition that could trouble him in many areas of his life for years to come.

Suzi

Please make him go. My dd was in an accident some years ago. Was fine that night, but over the course of the next few weeks, developed a herniated disk. She has a permanent back injury, that has cost her a lot of money in treatment, and will be with her the rest of her life (for which the insurance company awarded her about $35,000).

Your son HAS to be seen, he has to document it if he has any kind of injury--especially one that could be permanent. Because if he doesn't do this now, down the road, he may not be able to get his health insurance to cover his medical treatments. One of the first things hospitals/drs ask is "is this injury the result of an accident". When the answer is 'yes', most insurance companies balk at paying. Your son has no choice but to get his injury diagnosed and treated, AND to get the appropriate insurance to pay for that treatment and his future pain and suffering.

And after you've dragged him to the hospital, make a stop at your lawyer's--these things are MUCH easier if you let your lawyer handle them from the start, rather than waiting till everything's in a legal tangle and the attorney has to charge extra to sort it all out.

Good luck.

He doesn't know what they can do because he doesn't know what's wrong with his back. For all he knows, something could be broken. For all he knows, it could just be sprained or strained. He does not know if he needs traction, a body cast, a neck brace, or muscle relaxers. Could be any of a wide range of things. If that doesn't get him to thinking, then how about several people I know who are no longer able to work due to back injuries and also cannot collect disability insurance. Those cases take 5-7 years if they ever come to fruition here in the states. Is he thinking yet?

I'm going to try again to get him to go this afternoon. He is 22 and HARD HEADED.

Good luck with this; he does need to go see about this. It may be sore muscles or less than that. But I waited and after about a week I had the worst pain - muscle spasms, in my back and neck. The other problem, the back is related to so many other parts of the body. I ended up with a twisted vertebre in my neck because the muscles were so strained in my neck that they changed my posture. I've been having PT for a shoulder injury and that has helped my neck so much.

I'm glad your son is safe in such a scary accident. You have my prayers.

gng

I'm so glad he wasn't injured any worse than he was. It may turn out he only has minor injuries but he should be checked out to rule out anything thing more serious.

Are there other reasons he doesn't want to go? For instance, does he think the driver might be charged for some offense? Will the driver report the accident to his insurance company, and cause his rates to go up, and so your son doesn't want that to happen?

He is 22, so you can't put him in the car and take him, but you can call his/your doctor for advice.

OR, tell your son if he doesn't go you will call 911. He is being very foolish.

The fact that whether or not insurance will pay his bill for this is not important. He needs to be seen.

Sue

It takes a couple of days for a back injury to really start barking after and accident. By day 5, I was in utter agony.

The muscle relaxer didn't touch the pain.

Gayle

Susan,

He don't go -

he don't know.

If he has sense enough to go, he'll be surprised at the amount of information that they can come up with.

And the things that they can do to promote healing and mitigate the damage - or forestall further injury that lack of treatment may cause.

If he needs a brace - he needs to get it operational *immediately*.

If he should need traction, etc - same thing.

Tell him to get his ass down to the ER!

Not be an ass himself!

Good wishes for success in convincing him to go.

And good wishes to him for there being no damage - and, if there is some, for the medical people's success in treating it.

And patience if there is trouble, to see his way through the difficulties with good humour.

I'm sorry that he's been saddled with this problem - and thankful that he's escaped with probably not too serious damage.

ole joyful

Show him this thread.
He's GOTTA GO to the ER or private Dr.

Ok, he FINALLY went. His dad had to step in and insist. I wish he would have stepped in sooner. Will post an update later, when he comes home.

Hope he's ok.Just never know,these things flare up a few days after the accident,more so than the same day or even day after.Better to be safe than sorry.
Kathi

I'm glad that he appears to not be seriously injured! BUt it is a GOOD thing that he went in!

Ok, he FINALLY went. His dad had to step in and insist. I wish he would have stepped in sooner. Will post an update later, when he comes home.

I don't know why that posted twice?? My computer jammed though, and I had to reboot, I don't know if that had anything to do with it.

He's back from the emergency department. He is having muscle spasms in his back, and he got muscle relaxers. He's supposed to take it easy for at least a week. Of course he thinks he'll be playing basketball on Monday. All in all, it could have been much worse. Thanks everyone.

glad he went! i didn't and have back problems since the 60's...

he is an adult but we all need direction, that's for sure!

So glad that it appears to be not more serous.
ivamae

It was always interesting when reviewing charts in the ER to see how many patients waited several days to be seen after what they considered a "minor accident" and then to sadly learn that vital organs had been bruised and torn without a lot of noticeable pain at first. When I asked the trauma nurse manager about this she explained it quite simply, "well you need to realize that even though the outside of your body stops moving on most impacts, the internal organs do not" in fact, most nurses make it a point to stop in the ladies room before leaving the hospital....regardless of the need to void...why? For exactly this reason....having a full bladder and a car accident don't mix...bladders rupture quite easily when slung around inside of you.....
Sorry to be so graphic...but that is what made me the "5 o'clock Pottie Queen" thought you'd wanna know!

Oldrustybucket, that is interesting and good to know.

I just checked on him, and he is still in a lot of pain, and I guess he "was sick" in the shower. He's only taken one muscle relaxer so far, but that could very well be what made him sick. I'll have to check the informational sheet.

Susan, I am glad that your son saw a doctor. I was a passenger in a car accident about 6 or 7 years ago and to this day I am still suffering neck problems. I was taken to the hospital by ambulance. I had no visible signs of injury.

Susan, have your son get an insurance claim form from the driver's insurance company. You never know if this will affect him down the line. I didn't sue the insurance company but I had the driver pick up the tab for the ambulance ride and my meds since the accident was his fault.

I hope your son feels better soon.

Anne

Hope you got him to go to the doc and he is feeling better...STacy

Hope your son is feeling better today. Kids know EVERYTHING at 22 years old...at least I thought I did! :-)
Sending healing thoughts your way.

I'm glad he's OK and that it wasn't worse, Susan. Here's hoping he's all better by the end of the week!