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Guide · Injuries after a crash · All states

Back pain after a car accident

Updated By Spencer, editorEvery fact cites a source

A sudden jolt like a car crash can cause back sprains and strains, herniated disks or broken vertebrae, according to MedlinePlus. Get care right away for numbness, weakness or trouble controlling your bladder. In New Jersey, your own PIP pays treatment first. A pain and suffering claim may need proof the injury is permanent. Checked October 11, 2026.

Sources: MedlinePlus, Back Injuries; MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Low back pain: acute; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-5(g); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8(a); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-2(i); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8.1(b)
Checker

What are you dealing with?

Pick the closest one. It shows what MedlinePlus says and how New Jersey's rules treat it. Only a doctor can tell you what your injury is.

Numbness, weakness or bladder troubleGet care right away
What it is
Signs MedlinePlus says need a health care provider right away.
Why it matters
They can point to a more serious injury.
The rule
MedlinePlus lists loss of control over urine or stool, weakness or numbness in the buttocks, thigh, leg or pelvis, and back pain after a severe blow.
What you can do now

Contact a health care provider now, or emergency services if it's severe.

Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Low back pain: acute
Pain that's getting betterKeep records
What it is
A back sprain or strain is one of the common back injuries.
Why it matters
With the lawsuit limit, an injury that heals may not allow a pain and suffering claim.
The rule
With New Jersey's lawsuit limit, pain and suffering is available only for the injuries the law lists, like a permanent injury or a displaced fracture.
What you can do now

Keep every bill and send copies to your auto insurer in writing.

Source: MedlinePlus, Back Injuries; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8(a); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-2(i); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8.1(b)
Pain that hasn't let upFollow up with a provider
What it is
Pain lasting past what MedlinePlus calls usual for acute back pain.
Why it matters
Whether an injury is permanent decides many New Jersey pain and suffering claims.
The rule
MedlinePlus says to contact your provider if an episode has lasted longer than 4 weeks. In New Jersey, an injury is permanent when it hasn't healed to function normally and won't with more treatment.
What you can do now

Ask your provider what the exam and any tests show, and keep copies.

Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Low back pain: acute; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8(a); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-2(i); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8.1(b)
A herniated diskKeep records
What it is
A herniated disk is one of the common back injuries.
Why it matters
In New Jersey, a doctor's certification of a permanent injury must rest on objective clinical evidence.
The rule
That evidence may include medical testing, under New Jersey's lawsuit limit law.
What you can do now

Ask for copies of your imaging reports and test results.

Source: MedlinePlus, Back Injuries; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8(a); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-2(i); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8.1(b)
A broken vertebraWorth a consultation
What it is
A fractured vertebra is one of the common back injuries.
Why it matters
New Jersey's lawsuit limit lists displaced fractures among the injuries that qualify.
The rule
A displaced fracture is one of the injuries that allow a pain and suffering claim under the lawsuit limit.
What you can do now

Ask your provider whether the fracture is displaced, and get the records.

Source: MedlinePlus, Back Injuries; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8(a); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-2(i); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8.1(b)

When to get care right away

MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, says to contact a health care provider right away for these. In an emergency, call emergency services.

  1. Loss of control over urine or stoolMedlinePlus lists it first.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Low back pain: acute
  2. Weakness or numbnessIn your buttocks, thigh, leg or pelvis.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Low back pain: acute
  3. Back pain after a severe blow or fallA crash can be one.Source: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Low back pain: acute

Common back injuries from a crash

MedlinePlus says back injuries can come from a sudden jolt such as a car accident. Common ones include sprains and strains, herniated disks, and fractured vertebrae.

It says acute back pain can last from a few days to a few weeks. Most people improve or recover within 4 to 6 weeks, and many feel better within a week. Contact your provider if an episode lasts longer than 4 weeks.

Source: MedlinePlus, Back Injuries; MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Low back pain: acute

NJWho pays for treatment

In New Jersey, your own auto policy's PIP pays medical bills first, whoever caused the crash, up to $250,000 unless a lower amount was chosen in writing.

  1. Or your health insurance first, if you chose thatPIP then pays reasonable medical expenses your health insurance doesn't cover, up to your PIP limit.Source: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3(d); New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Auto Insurance New Jersey Buyer's Guide
  2. Bills past your PIP limitsThey can be recovered from the person at fault, including deductibles and copayments.Source: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-12; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-2(k)
Source: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-4.3; N.J.S.A. 39:6A-5(g)

NJHow a back injury fits a claim

Unless a driver chose otherwise in writing, a New Jersey policy limits pain and suffering claims to the injuries the law lists. For a back injury, that usually means a displaced fracture or a permanent injury.

NJWhat permanent means

The body part hasn't healed to function normally and won't with further medical treatment.

Source: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8(a); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-2(i); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8.1(b)
NJWhat proves it

A doctor's certification based on objective clinical evidence, which may include medical testing.

Source: N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8(a); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-2(i); N.J.S.A. 39:6A-8.1(b)
NJYour share of the fault

It cuts what you recover. Above 50%, you recover nothing.

Source: N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1; N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.2
NJThe deadline

An injury lawsuit generally must be filed within 2 years.

Source: N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2(a)

What back injury claims settle for

No public source reports an average for back injuries that we can check. Firms post their best results. In New Jersey, the model jury charge says the law gives no table or formula for pain and suffering.

Source: Model Civil Jury Charge 8.11E (revised May 2017)

Sources

General information, not legal advice. We don't know the facts of your claim. A lawyer can review them, and most injury lawyers offer a free consultation.

What to do next

Questions people ask

Is it common to have back pain after a car accident?

MedlinePlus says back injuries can come from a sudden jolt such as a car accident, including sprains and strains, herniated disks and fractured vertebrae.

How long does back pain last after a car accident?

MedlinePlus says acute back pain can last a few days to a few weeks, and most people improve within 4 to 6 weeks. Contact a provider if it lasts longer than 4 weeks.

Who pays for back pain treatment after a car accident in New Jersey?

Your own PIP pays medical bills first, whoever caused the crash, unless you chose to make health insurance primary. Bills past your PIP limits can be recovered from the person at fault.

Can I sue for back pain after a car accident in New Jersey?

For the medical bills PIP doesn't cover, yes. For pain and suffering, most policies limit it to listed injuries, like a permanent injury proven by objective clinical evidence or a displaced fracture.

What is the average settlement for lower back pain from a car accident?

No public source reports one we can check. In New Jersey, whether the injury is permanent matters most, and the law gives no formula for pain and suffering.

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