Written by Kelley Dick, personal injury attorney at Mansfield Melancon Injury Lawyers.
Symptoms of a Broken Tailbone
A broken tailbone is one of those injuries you don’t think about until it happens to you. Then, every movement is a reminder of just how much you rely on that small bone at the base of your spine. The pain can be sharp, dull, or radiating, and it can make simple things like standing, sitting, and even lying down uncomfortable.
The following are some of the telltale symptoms of a broken tailbone:
Pain That Gets Worse When Sitting
Perhaps the clearest sign of a broken tailbone is pain that gets worse when you sit down, especially on hard surfaces. The pressure on the injured bone can cause a sharp or throbbing discomfort. Sitting for long periods often makes it worse. Even after standing up, the ache can continue for hours.
Bruising and Swelling
After a fall or direct impact, the area around the tailbone can become swollen and bruised. The discoloration can range from a deep purple to a dull greenish-yellow as the injury heals.
Pain During Certain Activities
Because of the tailbone’s location, sexual activity can also become a cause of pain after a fracture. While this symptom is often overlooked, it’s a common issue for those with a broken tailbone.
Feeling of Instability
Some people describe a sensation of feeling “loose” in the lower back or sacral area, almost like the bone isn’t as stable as it should be. The feeling can make bending, twisting, and even walking awkward and unnatural.
Difficulty Transitioning From Sitting to Standing
Going from sitting to standing can be a challenge with a fractured tailbone. The shift in weight distribution and pressure can send a wave of pain radiating through the lower back and hips. Either way, it can make it tough to get out of bed or exit a vehicle.
Numbness and Tingling
Pain might be the most common symptom, but numbness and tingling (neuropathy) in the back, rear end, and legs can also be a problem. This is more likely to happen if the injury has affected the nearby nerves.
When to See a Doctor
Not every tailbone injury is a fracture. In some cases, the bone may just be bruised, and the pain will go away over time. However, if symptoms don’t get better or become more pronounced, it’s best to see a doctor. Ignoring an injured tailbone can lead to long-term problems like chronic pain and mobility issues.
How a Tailbone Fracture Affects Your Louisiana Injury Claim
A broken tailbone may not look dramatic on an X-ray, but the impact on your daily life — and your ability to work — is real and compensable under Louisiana law. Insurers often treat coccyx injuries as minor because they don’t require surgery, but that argument doesn’t hold up when the injury is properly documented.
Documenting the Injury for Your Claim
Medical records are the foundation of any tailbone injury claim. The sooner you see a doctor after a crash or fall, the cleaner the timeline connecting your injury to the incident. Ask your doctor to document not just the diagnosis but the functional limitations — difficulty sitting, inability to drive, disrupted sleep, and any impact on your ability to work. Those details matter when calculating pain and suffering damages.
How Insurers Argue Against Tailbone Claims
Because coccyx fractures often don’t require surgery and can’t always be confirmed on standard X-rays, adjusters frequently argue the injury is minor or pre-existing. They may offer a quick, low settlement before you understand the full extent of your recovery timeline. A Louisiana personal injury attorney can counter these tactics with proper medical documentation and an accurate picture of your damages.
Pain and Suffering in a Tailbone Injury Case
Louisiana law allows injured people to seek compensation for non-economic damages — pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress. A tailbone injury that keeps you from sitting through a workday, sleeping comfortably, or participating in normal daily activities is a legitimate basis for these damages. Under Louisiana law, you usually have two years to file a personal injury claim for incidents that occurred on or after July 1, 2024, but the sooner you speak with an attorney, the better your evidence will be.
Frequently Asked Questions About Broken Tailbone Injuries
Can a broken tailbone be caused by a car crash or slip and fall?
Yes. Tailbone fractures are a common result of rear-end car crashes, slip and fall incidents, and direct impacts to the base of the spine. Any collision or fall that puts sudden force on the coccyx can cause a fracture or severe bruising. If the injury occurred because of someone else’s negligence, you may have a valid personal injury claim in Louisiana.
How do I prove a tailbone injury in a personal injury claim?
Medical records documenting your diagnosis, imaging results, functional limitations, and treatment history are the core of a tailbone injury claim. A symptom journal tracking daily pain levels and how the injury affects your activities strengthens the case for pain and suffering damages. An attorney can help ensure nothing is left out of your documentation.
Will insurance cover a broken tailbone from a crash?
It depends on the circumstances. If another driver caused the crash, their liability insurance should cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If coverage is disputed or insufficient, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may apply. An attorney can review the available coverage and advise on the best path forward.
How long does a broken tailbone take to heal, and how does that affect my claim?
Tailbone fractures typically take eight to twelve weeks to heal, but some people experience chronic pain for much longer. The length of your recovery directly affects the value of your claim — ongoing symptoms, additional treatment, and extended time off work all factor into the damages calculation. Settling before you know your full recovery timeline can significantly undervalue your case.
What compensation can I recover for a broken tailbone in Louisiana?
You may be entitled to medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. The specific amount depends on the severity of the fracture, your recovery timeline, and how the injury has affected your daily life and work. A Louisiana personal injury attorney can give you a clearer picture of what your claim may be worth.
Contact a Louisiana Personal Injury Lawyer at Mansfield Melancon Injury Lawyers
If you suffered a tailbone fracture in a crash or fall caused by someone else, contact Mansfield Melancon Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with Kelley Dick or one of our Louisiana personal injury attorneys. There are no fees unless we win.