Back Pain After a Car Accident? Don’t Ignore These Warning Signs

At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., we’ve helped countless St. Louis residents secure compensation for back injuries caused by negligent drivers.

If you’re experiencing back pain after a car accident—even a minor one—it could be a sign of a serious underlying injury. In Missouri, thousands of crash victims suffer back injuries every year, many of which don’t show symptoms until days or even weeks later.

If you’re suffering from back pain after a car accident in St. Louis, don’t wait. Delaying medical and legal action can hurt your health—and your claim.

Contact us today at (314) 361-4242 or visit our online contact form.

FREE CASE EVALUATION

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ellen P.
3 months ago
Chris Hoffman is an excellent attorney. He is the best above the rest. What makes him different? He communicates promptly - I don't have to leave message after message for him to reach out to me. When I telephone his office, if he doesn't answer the telephone, his assistant does. Chris Hoffman is very attentive and focused. He means business, and he hit the ground running on the cases. I'm so blessed to have him for my attorney.
Charles B.
1 year ago
Best lawyer for car accidents and injury claims. Love this lawyer!
Zach B.
1 year ago
Much better than Morgan & Morgan. It is not the firm. It is the lawyer.
Ashley S.
1 year ago
"Of all the lawyers I have met, this one is a true professional. This attorney goes against the biggest law firms and wins!"
Response from the owner:The compliment is much appreciated. Like every profession, it all starts with training our lawyers to be the best at every aspect of car accident cases. But the foundation of a great case is a great client. Thanks!
james W.
1 year ago
I'd say this lawyer is in the top three of the best you'll ever see. Add this attorney to the interview list if you ever get in an automobile accident. This Law Firm is on another level.
Response from the owner:Much appreciated. Techniques that an attorney or any professional uses are paramount for success. This is part of our lawyers training and preparation. It leads to success. Thank you!
Dean R.
1 year ago
People say this is the best car accident lawyer in St.Louis. Yep! Seeing this attorney in action is incredible.
Response from the owner:Great compliment. We work hard to be the best. Our lawyers also work very hard to help other lawyers in our profession. Not matter what, a cases is only as good as the client is. Thanks!
Domaneshia A S.
1 year ago
Hire them!!!
Response from the owner:Thanks! Referrals and recommendations from prior car accident clients is our #1 source of cases. People who grew to trust us send family and friends.
Benjamin K.
1 year ago
The Hoffman law firm is truly professional. After hiring them I was truly relieved and knew I was in good hands. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Being in good hands is important. Many lawyers take cases with little experience and little resources. Our firm specialized decades ago. We are focused exclusively on accident cases.
dylan F.
1 year ago
Definitely recommend Mr. Hoffmann if you get into a car accident, this lawyer is top shelf.
lori W.
1 year ago
They are the best law firm I have encountered in my lifetime. Great for any accident!
Rachel M.
1 year ago
Great experience with this law firm. Excellent help with the car accident process. Definitely use them again.
Kyle D.
2 years ago
The lawyers on tv just dont compare for auto accident injury cases. Mr.Hoffmann is as good as they get.
Response from the owner:Thank you. The TV attorneys are just settlement mills. People are hiring a paralegal, not a lawyer. Our law firm is different. You are represented by an attorney and we do not have settlement quotas.
Leigha M.
2 years ago
If you have ever watched any lawyers, you will agree this is one of the best automobile accident litigators in Saint Louis County.
Ashley S.
2 years ago
I would describe this lawyer as highly educated, sharp, and top of his game. Explains the car accident process and treatment options well. The lawyer said if they don’t pay you, we will have the jury take it from the insurance company. Great lawyer. Dynamic person.
George K.
2 years ago
Very good car accident lawyer. Gets the job done.
Jessica J.
2 years ago
Interviewed all the TV car accident lawyers and decided to call this law firm that had great reviews. So happy I did. What a difference!
Response from the owner:TV car accident lawyers are just mass production. This is not a good fit for litigated cases. Paralegals instead of lawyers. Monthly quotas for settlements. Car accident victims end up in a cattle call with the lawyers on TV.
Jacob P.
2 years ago
Love my car accident lawyer. This law firm is a step above.
Response from the owner:Our lawyers train and track the best approaches on cases. Whether litigation in cases or the practicalities of certain treatment, the growth of our lawyers over time is paramount. Always staying ahead of and setting practice trends. Thank you.
Ashley S.
2 years ago
Serious family member have a car accident injury? Look no further. This litigator is for real. Always two steps ahead of the other lawyer.
Response from the owner:This is a sad reality for car accident lawyers. The #1 passenger in an auto accident is a relative. Helping a family make it through this and putting the family back together is one of the most rewarding things I do as an automobile accident attorney.
RIcky P.
2 years ago
This lawyer handles really big accident cases in St Louis. He is a lawyer, accountant and has his masters in tax so he gets the injury cases for individuals that can never go back to work or individuals own a business and cannot run it due to injury. He specializes in valuations of massive loss. Thank goodness a firm like this exists.
Response from the owner:Thank you. When accident are severe and you lose the ability to work or to continue a business, having an accounting and tax background is key. Valuing large losses are second nature for us.
Kasandra H.
2 years ago
You are a great lawyer! Thank you.
Response from the owner:That is a great compliment. Thanks.
Brandon W.
2 years ago
Asked a trauma surgeon who operates on car accident victims who are the best injury lawyers that have taken his deposition. He said “by far” it was Mr Hoffmann. Interviewed several attorneys and this was a correct assessment. In a league of his own!
Response from the owner:Our attorney have deposed nearly all the trauma surgeons at every Level 1 Trauma Center in Saint Louis. These doctors save lives after a car accident. Whether controlling bleeding or reestablishing blood flow or bone structures, they are life savers.
Morgan B.
2 years ago
Few lawyers in St. Louis can handle the biggest injury cases! This is one of them!
Response from the owner:Our law firm has made great efforts in terms of training to handle life changing injury cases. Whether in depth knowledge of the medical, loss of income and earning capacity, or lifetime medical care plans, our clients feel confident and know their case is in good hands. Thank you for the compliment.
Ashley A.
2 years ago
Cannot say enough about this lawyer. Call if in an accident. This attorney handles the biggest car accidents in St Louis.
Response from the owner:Thanks Ash! Our biggest source of cases is our clients. Our second biggest referral source is defense lawyers telling their relatives to call us. Few lawyers can handle the largest cases. Our law firm welcomes and has trained for this. We don’t do mass production settlement like the lawyers on TV. Our clients can never go back to work. Their cases need massive focus and effort and often long fought litigation.
Taylor T.
2 years ago
So glad I called attorney Hoffmann. This time I got it right! So glad I hired the Hoffmann Law Firm - professional, reliable and available.
Response from the owner:Thanks Taylor. Our lawyers answer the phone day, night, weekends and even during lunch. Being professional means training to beat the best defense lawyers. Client rely on us to get results and we do.
Malashia M.
2 years ago
Great lawyer. Cares about his clients, knows his stuff and goes the extra mile. I recommend this lawyer for car wreck injury claim. Every other lawyer on TV would not even help with my property claim. This attorney did.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words. Every case starts with a great client. You are correct the car accident lawyers on TV are mass production settlement mills. When injury clients fire them, we get their files and the cases are not worked up at all. Appreciate your confidence in us!

Common Types of Back Injuries After a Car Accident

Back pain can stem from a wide range of injuries, including:

1. Whiplash and Soft Tissue Damage

Whiplash isn’t just a neck injury—it often extends to the upper back and shoulders. The sudden jolt of a collision can strain muscles and ligaments, causing inflammation and stiffness.

2. Herniated or Bulging Discs

One of the most serious causes of back pain, herniated discs occur when the cushioning discs between your vertebrae rupture or shift. This can compress nearby nerves, leading to sharp pain, numbness, or weakness.

3. Spinal Fractures

In high-impact crashes, the vertebrae can crack or break. These injuries may require surgery and lengthy recovery times, especially if spinal cord involvement is suspected.

4. Lumbar Sprains

The lower back, or lumbar region, often absorbs much of the impact in rear-end and side-impact collisions. Sprains and strains in this area are common and may cause ongoing pain that interferes with daily life.

When Should You See a Doctor for Back Pain?

Many car accident victims assume their pain will go away on its own. However, untreated back injuries can worsen over time.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

  • Persistent pain or stiffness in the back or neck
  • Pain that radiates to the legs, buttocks, or arms
  • Difficulty standing, sitting, or walking
  • Numbness or tingling in the limbs
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control (seek emergency care)

A doctor can perform imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs to determine the extent of your injury and recommend treatment.

Can You Recover Compensation for Back Injuries in Missouri?

Yes. Missouri is an at-fault state, which means if another driver caused your accident, they (or their insurance company) may be responsible for your:

  • Medical bills (past and future)
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Rehabilitation or physical therapy
  • Permanent disability

If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, your own UM/UIM coverage may apply. Navigating these claims can be complex, especially when insurers try to downplay soft-tissue injuries.

Why You Need a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

Insurance companies often challenge back injury claims, especially when there’s no immediate ER visit or visible fracture. At The Hoffmann Law Firm, we know how to:

  • Document delayed onset injuries like herniated discs
  • Work with medical professionals to prove the connection between the accident and your pain
  • Maximize your claim value, especially when chronic pain or long-term care is involved

You won’t be treated like just another case file—we provide direct attorney access from start to finish.

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Get Legal Help Today

If you’re suffering from back pain after a car accident in St. Louis, don’t wait. Delaying medical and legal action can hurt your health—and your claim.

Contact us today at (314) 361-4242 or visit our online contact form.

FREE CASE EVALUATION