Car accidents are extremely common. They can range in severity and can result in moderate to serious injuries, and sometimes even death. In the United States, approximately 2.35 million people are injured or disabled in car accidents. A back injury may not be immediately apparent after a car accident. If you experience back pain after a car accident, you must seek medical attention immediately. Also, you should contact a top-rated law firm with expertise in auto accidents and back injuries to get all the information you need in regards to making a claim. Contact Normandie Law Firm—our experienced lawyers in Los Angeles want to fight for your case.
Some common car accident injuries include head injuries, neck injuries, internal injuries, facial injuries, and psychological injuries. Back injuries, however, may not be apparent instantly. Back injuries may also present themselves in many different forms. Injuries may appear as sprains, strains, herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and fractured spine. Back injuries are serious. They can result in shoulder pain, neck pain, and, of course, lower back pain. Back injuries can be so severe that the victim can be left with limited mobility. The victim may be left with the financial strain of having to routinely visit chiropractors.
What Causes Pain after an Automobile Accident?
What is the cause of pain after a car accident? Let’s discuss what may be causing your neck and lower back pain.
- Whiplash—In a car accident, more specifically in a rear-end collision, the force of impact pushes your head backward and then forwards. That sudden and forceful movement results in whiplash. A victim experiencing whiplash will usually feel symptoms as soon as the next day. Symptoms include pain and stiffness in the neck, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, fatigue, difficulty concentration, and ringing in the ears. Although most symptoms may subside after a few days, it is important for the victim to be medically evaluated to rule out any other injuries.
- Spinal Fractures—During an accident, seatbelts keep thoracic and lumbar spine, the middle and lower back, secured in place. Due to the force of impact, a victim’s upper body may abruptly thrown forward. The motion of the upper body moving forward while the lower body stays in place may result in the vertebrae being pulled apart and becoming broken. Symptoms for a spinal fracture includes moderate to severe back pain that is irritated and worsens with any movement.
- Spinal Injuries—If a broken vertebrae moves out of place, the victim may have injured his or her spine. Spinal injuries are considered to be more serious because the spine is such a complex structure. Spinal injuries may be worsened with movement, so in the case of an accident, it is important for the victim not to be moved until paramedics are on the scene and have efficiently restrained the victim to avoid further damage. Some symptoms of spinal injuries include numbness, tingling, weakness, and even loss of bladder and bowel control.
- Spinal Stenosis—Spinal Stenosis is defined as the narrowing of the bone channel occupied by the spinal cord. Spinal Stenosis can appear in two forms—lumber or cervical stenosis. In lumbar stenosis, the nerves in the lower back are compressed. Symptoms are similar to symptons of sciatica: tingling, numbness, and weakness. These symptoms may radiate from the lower back down to the legs. Victims may also experience leg pain associated with walking. Symptoms generally subside while sitting. Cervical stenosis is considered to be more serious. Characterized by neck pain, cervical stenosis results in the compression of the spinal cord. This compression of the spinal cord can lead to severe weakness, and paralysis.
Treatment for Back Pain after a Car Accident
All of the injuries discussed above are treated differently. Treatment may range from prescription of pain relievers to invasive surgery. For more information, consult with a skilled attorney with expertise in back injury lawsuits.
- Whiplash—Treatments or whiplash are rather simple. A doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen. Muscle relaxants may also be prescribed. Taking this medication will help with any pain or swelling. A doctor may advise a victim to ice the affected area. Icing the neck may help reduce pain and swelling. Additionally, a doctor may order the victim to use a neck brace or collar to add neck support.
- Spinal Fractures—The most popular treatment for spinal fractures is a variety of pain medications. Each prescribed medication will help with a specific symptom. Doctors may also suggest a short period of bed rest to help with pain. Back braces may also be recommended. Back braces provide extra support to the spine. Since back braces reduce a victim’s mobility, a victim may experience a reduced amount of pain. Some surgical treatments of spinal fractures include vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, and spinal fusion surgery.
- Spinal Injuries—Spinal injuries are not reversible. Treatment for spinal injuries usually focuses on preventing any additional damage. A victim with a spinal injury will be offered a variety of medications to subdue the pain. The victim will need to be immobilized to prevent further injuries. Surgery may be needed to remove pieces of bones that may contribute to more damages, or to attempt to stabilize the spine.
- Spinal Stenosis—Like with every other injury, anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxers will reduce the victim’s pain. Epidural steroid injections may also provide symptom relief. The best way to reduce pain for victim’s with spinal stenosis is to modify their activity and find an exercise program that helps strengthen their back.
No matter the injury, the victim will absolutely have to go through some sort of physical therapy in order to regain the strength they once had in their backs. Rehabilitation is an important part of recovering from a musculoskeletal injury. Although some of these injuries may never be reversed, physical therapy ensures that the victim is rehabilitated to have a better quality of life. To receive a recommendation to a qualified medical professional, reach out to an accomplished attorney who has experience in back injury cases.
Filing a Claim
If you were in a car accident, you may have sustained a serious back injury. Musculoskeletal injuries are often long-lasting and costly. You may be eligible to receive compensation with the assistance of an expert attorney who has experience handling back injury claims.
- Medical Expenses—You may be compensated for any of your medical bills regarding your back injury. Hospitalizations, medications, surgeries, rehabilitation, and any supplies needed like neck and back braces are eligible to be compensated. Any past, present, and future medical expenses associated to the injury will be eligible for compensation.
- Loss of Income—Your back injury may have left you unable to work. You may be eligible for compensation. Compensation will be based on your wage history and on your prospective wages if were still able to work.
- Pain and Suffering—Your injuries may have caused you emotional and mental distress. You may be compensated for the pain, mental anguish, and anxiety that arose from your back injury and the car accident.
The Normandie Law Firm
You should contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible to discuss what type of compensation you may be eligible to receive. Contact Normandie Law Firm, our attorneys with experience in back injury cases will evaluate your situation. The causes of back injuries after an accident are many, and the treatments can vary from a simple prescription to invasive surgery. You may continue to suffer from ligament and other musculoskeletal pain throughout your whole life.
Normandie Law Firm, one of the top firms in the state, understands how much you have suffered due to your back injury. Because of this, we provide all of our clients with free consultations. We want to inform you about your rights and guide you towards receiving the compensation you deserve. If you already have an attorney elsewhere, you can contact us and get a free second opinion about your case. We will do our best to ensure that you have all the information possible to have a successful case.
We offer our clients a Zero-Fee guarantee. This means that you will not have to worry about paying any upfront fees. We are strictly contingency-based. You will not pay us anything, unless our expert attorneys win your case.
Contact us today to speak with a lawyer experienced in back injury cases stemming from car accidents.
Our Recent Back and Spine Injury Verdicts & Settlements
Our law firm has successfully settled tens of millions of dollars on behalf of clients who have suffered back, neck, and spinal cord injuries. Below, you will find some of our most recent settlements on behalf of these clients. If you have suffered a back, neck, or spinal cord injury, feel free to contact our lawyers for a free no-cost case evaluation.
