If you have been in a car accident, you may be suffering from back injuries. Back pain is one of the most common injuries after a car accident, and it can be excruciating and debilitating.
Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today to know what steps to take next and whether or not you have the right to file a personal injury claim.
What Should I Do If I Have Back Pain After My Car Accident?
If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important that you take the proper steps to protect yourself and your legal rights. There are three things all car accident victims should do, including:
Seek medical treatment. Your health and well-being should be your top priority after a car accident. If you are experiencing back or neck pain, it is important that you see a doctor right away so that your injuries can be diagnosed, treated, and documented. Car accidents can cause serious injuries to the spine and other parts of the body, and if left untreated, these injuries can become long-lasting or even permanent. A medical professional will diagnose your injuries and create a treatment plan that is right for you.
Report the accident to your insurance company. Insurance companies typically require policyholders to report accidents within a certain time window. Therefore, failing to report the accident may result in your insurance company denying your claim.
Contact a personal injury lawyer. If you have been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you file a personal injury claim and get the money you deserve.
Symptoms of Back Injuries After a Car Accident
Many different back and neck injuries can occur after a car accident. Some common symptoms of back injuries include:
- Pain or stiffness in the back
- Difficulty moving the back, torso, or legs
- Numbness or tingling in the legs, or feet
- Paralysis or loss of strength
If you suffer from back pain after a car accident, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately. You should not wait until the symptoms worsen to get help. If left untreated, your injuries can become more severe and could be long-lasting. A doctor will properly diagnose your injuries and create a treatment plan to help you recover.
Common Back Injuries After a Wreck
The back is a complex part of the body that can be injured in many different ways. However, some common auto accident injuries relating to back pain include:
Slipped or Herniated Discs
The disks between each vertebra act as shock absorbers for the spine. Lumbar disk herniation is a serious injury that happens when the disks between the vertebrae rupture or bulge out.
A herniated, bulging, or slipped disc in the back can cause compression on the spinal cord, which can cause numbness or tingling down the legs, feet or toes,, radiating pain down the back and legs, or weakness in the legs.
Spinal Cord Injuries
In some cases, car accidents can cause a serious spinal cord injury. The spinal discs in your lumbar spine are flat and round, like a jelly doughnut. When too much pressure is placed on them, the inner portion of the disc can push out through tears in the outer layer. This is called a lumbar disc herniation or herniated disc.
Lumbar Sprains or Strains
Lumbar sprains or strains occur when ligaments in the back are torn from where they attach muscle to bone. A car accident victim may experience low back pain that branches into the posterior, restricted range of motion, difficulty maintaining normal posture, muscle spasms, and pain that lasts up to two weeks.
Spinal Fractures
If the force of impact is powerful, you may suffer from a fractured spine. This type of injury can occur in any part of the back or spinal column and cause severe pain, numbness, and paralysis that may be permanent.
Pinched Nerves
If a nerve is compressed or injured as the result of a car accident, you may experience tingling, numbness, and pain in the affected area. This condition is known as a pinched nerve and can be very painful and debilitating.
Thoracic Spine Injuries
The thoracic spine is the middle part of your spine. If this area suffers an injury, you may experience pain and reduced mobility in the upper back as a result.
Facet Joint Injuries
The facet joints in the cervical spine help in head and neck stabilization and mobility. The impact of a car collision can inflame and irritate the joints.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries may cause back pain, tightness, pinching, and muscle spasms.
Treatment of Back Injuries After a Car Accident
If you have suffered a back injury after an auto accident, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. This can help ensure that your condition does not worsen and that you receive the proper treatment for your injuries.
Some of the most common treatments for back injuries include:
Physical Therapy
Physical therapists can teach you how to strengthen your core muscles and improve flexibility for you to return to normal activities as quickly as possible after a car accident.
Surgery
In some cases, surgery may be needed to repair a broken bone in the spine or remove a ruptured disc. Often when you have surgery, vertebrae are fused together. This is called a fusion.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractors may be able to relieve pain, stiffness, and other symptoms of back injuries with a combination of adjustments, manipulations, and massage.
Long-Term Complications of Back Injuries
Back injuries can have several long-term consequences. Some of the most common complications that may occur include:
Chronic Pain
Chronic back pain can be caused by various conditions, such as degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, or herniated discs. This pain becomes so severe that it interferes with daily life and activities in some cases. It may persist for months or years after an accident.
Loss of Mobility
If you suffer from a spinal fracture or other serious back injuries, you may be left with reduced mobility and difficulty performing everyday tasks.
Incontinence
If you have suffered a back injury in an auto accident, you may experience incontinence due to nerve damage or other complications associated with your injuries. You may also suffer from sexual dysfunction if nerves in this area are damaged by the trauma of being involved in a car accident.
Depression and Anxiety
Many people who suffer from chronic pain or other complications of back injuries experience depression and anxiety as a result of their condition. This is particularly common in those who are unable to work or return to normal activities because of the severity of their symptoms.
Can You File a Lawsuit for Back Injuries Caused by a Car Accident?
To determine whether you have a case, it is important to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer who can review the facts of your situation and advise you on your best course of action.
If you decide to file a lawsuit, your attorney will help you gather evidence to support your claim and negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company for fair compensation.
What Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Can Do For You
The Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence to establish liability and negligence.
Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.
Determining the Value of Your Case
If you have suffered a back injury in an auto accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To find out how much your case is worth, contact the personal injury attorneys of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. for a free consultation. Our experienced lawyers are dedicated to helping victims of car accidents obtain justice and fair compensation.
Here are a few of our case results:
- $6 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a rear-end collision.
- $4.8 million for a severely injured client after another vehicle struck his motorcycle.
- $1.9 million for a client who suffered a permanent back injury due to a car accident.
- $1.5 million for a client who had to undergo multiple surgeries after a negligent motorist cut off his motorcycle.
- $1 million settlement obtained on behalf of our 19-year-old client who was a passenger in a car in which the driver lost control, causing a collision. As a result, our client suffered extensive brain damage with cognitive impairment. He was in a coma for an extended period of time. Although he has regained consciousness, he is unable to care for himself. The law firm asked the Court to appoint him a guardian to care for him. The law firm is helping to establish a special needs trust so that the proceeds from the settlement will be protected against any medical liens.
- $1 million settlement on behalf of a client who suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.
Contact an Accident Lawyer Today
If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.
We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600 or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.