Can I Get Spondylolisthesis From A Car Accident?

You Were Rear-Ended. Now Your Back Won’t Stop Hurting.

Spondylolisthesis isn’t rare. But it’s rarely talked about until it happens to you. Every year in the U.S., around 4% to 6% of the population experiences some form of spondylolisthesis, according to data from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). It’s especially common among people over 50, but trauma, like a car accident, can cause it in younger individuals too.

If you’ve been in a crash and now you're dealing with unexplained back pain, leg numbness, or stiffness, you need to know what’s happening to your spine and how to protect your rights. Let's talk about how spondylolisthesis from a car accident can happen, what symptoms to watch for, and what your next steps should be.

What Is Spondylolisthesis?

Spondylolisthesis happens when one of your vertebrae, the bones in your spine, slips out of place over the one below it. This misalignment can put pressure on your nerves and spinal cord, leading to serious pain and mobility problems.

It’s not just a pulled muscle or typical soreness from a wreck. It’s structural. And if left untreated, it can get worse.

There are different types, but trauma-induced spondylolisthesis is what’s most relevant after a car crash. In this case, the force of impact can fracture parts of the vertebrae (like the pars interarticularis) which leads to the slippage.

Can a Car Accident Really Cause Spondylolisthesis?

Yes, and it’s more common than you’d think.

Even low-speed crashes can jolt the spine with thousands of pounds of force. When that force twists or compresses the spine unnaturally, it can lead to a fracture or instability that causes a vertebra to shift. Rear-end collisions and T-bone impacts are common culprits.

In Missouri alone, the Department of Public Safety reported over 131,000 traffic crashes in 2023, with about 36,000 involving injuries. That’s tens of thousands of people potentially exposed to traumatic spinal injuries. Many never realize how serious their back pain really is.

The problem? Spondylolisthesis isn’t always diagnosed right away. It might start as stiffness or soreness. Weeks later, you could be dealing with sciatica, numbness in your legs, or trouble standing for long periods.

Symptoms of Spondylolisthesis After Car Accidents

If you’ve been in a car accident, here’s what to watch for in the days or weeks that follow. These symptoms may point to traumatic spondylolisthesis:

• Lower back pain that doesn't improve
• Pain that worsens when standing or walking
• Stiffness in the lower spine
• Pain radiating to your buttocks, thighs, or legs
• Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet
• Trouble walking or balancing
• Muscle spasms or tight hamstrings

Symptoms can vary based on how much the vertebra has slipped and whether nerves are involved. Some people have mild discomfort. Others lose mobility entirely. The key is to recognize when the pain isn't typical post-accident soreness.

How Is Spondylolisthesis Diagnosed?

Doctors typically start with a physical exam, but imaging is key. An X-ray can show if a vertebra has shifted, but an MRI or CT scan can reveal whether nerves are being compressed.

If you've already had back scans, ask your doctor if they’ve specifically evaluated you for spondylolisthesis. It’s easy for this to be missed in general imaging unless the radiologist is looking for it.

How Do You Treat Traumatic Spondylolisthesis?

Treatment depends on how much the vertebra has moved and how bad the symptoms are. Here's how doctors usually approach it:

• Conservative care: Includes rest, NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, and physical therapy. This works if the slippage is minor and there’s no nerve damage.
• Bracing: A back brace can stabilize the spine while it heals naturally.
• Steroid injections: These help reduce inflammation and pain if nerve roots are involved.
• Surgical treatment: In severe cases, spinal fusion may be recommended. This surgery realigns and stabilizes the spine using metal rods and screws.

Surgery is more likely if the slip is graded as moderate or severe, if nerve compression is confirmed, or if the condition doesn’t respond to other treatments after several months.

Treatment costs can easily run into tens of thousands of dollars, especially if you need surgery or long-term rehab.

Legal Rights After a Crash

If your spondylolisthesis was caused by a car accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation for:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Reduced earning capacity

But to prove your case, you need clear documentation. That means getting medical evaluations early, following up with recommended treatment, and documenting how the condition affects your life.

It also means not signing off on any insurance settlement too quickly. Insurance companies may try to claim your condition was pre-existing or unrelated to the crash. That’s why having the right legal help is critical.

What Makes Spondylolisthesis Cases Tricky?

Insurance companies often argue that spondylolisthesis must be congenital or degenerative. Basically, that you had it before the accident. But trauma-related spondylolisthesis has been well documented in medical literature.

A 2022 study published in the Spine Journal found that patients who suffered high-impact injuries, especially in motor vehicle collisions, had significantly higher rates of acute spinal instability. That includes vertebral slippage. In younger patients, traumatic spondylolisthesis may occur even without bone degeneration.

A lawyer experienced in spinal injury claims can help you gather the expert opinions and evidence you need to show causation clearly.

Missouri-Specific Injury Data

In Columbia and across Boone County, spinal injuries are a serious and recurring issue in local traffic accidents. According to crash data from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Boone County alone saw over 4,700 motor vehicle crashes in 2023, with nearly 1,400 resulting in personal injury. Many of these injuries involve the spine, especially in rear-end collisions, which remain one of the most common accident types statewide.

Rear-end crashes frequently cause whiplash and axial loading injuries, both of which can trigger or worsen spinal instability. These forces compress or hyperextend the spine in milliseconds, increasing the risk of fractures, soft tissue damage, and vertebral slippage such as spondylolisthesis. The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety reports that back and spine injuries consistently rank in the top five most reported outcomes from these crashes.

Importantly, Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule in personal injury cases. This means your compensation can be reduced if you're found partially at fault for the accident. For example, if you're awarded $100,000 in damages but deemed 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000. This makes it even more important to work with a local attorney who can investigate thoroughly and argue your case effectively.

Laws also differ on how long you have to file. In Missouri, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is five years, but waiting too long to get medical documentation or legal help can hurt your case.

This local legal landscape makes it critical to work with a law firm familiar with Missouri injury law, court procedures, and local medical providers. A Columbia-based attorney can help tie your spinal injury clearly to the crash, work with experts to prove causation, and push back against insurance companies that try to deny or downplay your claim.

When to Call a Lawyer to Handle Your Case

If you’re reading this and wondering if your pain is “bad enough” to make a claim, let me be clear. It’s not about how bad it feels today. It’s about how this could affect your health and finances tomorrow.

Back injuries like spondylolisthesis can become lifelong problems. That’s why you need someone in your corner early.

Contact Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer

You don’t have to navigate this alone. The legal team at Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer has experience handling complex spinal injury claims and car accident cases across Missouri.

If you’re dealing with spondylolisthesis from a car accident, we can help you understand your legal options, connect with trusted medical experts, and fight for fair compensation.

Call today for a free consultation. Let’s talk about what happened, what you’re dealing with, and how we can help.