Back Injury Lawyer: Why You Need One After a Serious Accident
Back injuries are one of the most common injuries that occur from an accident. They’re also one of the most painful, dangerous, and life-altering injuries, next to traumatic brain injuries. What is more, a back injury can be the result of just about any accident, even minor ones, from a slip and fall at work to a vehicle collision.
Considering that a back injury can lead to long-standing pain, hefty medical bills, difficulty getting around, and even impact your ability to work, it’s critical that you fight for the compensation you deserve. For these reasons, your next step should be finding a back injury lawyer to help guide you.
Types of Back Injuries
There is a wide range of different back injuries involving different symptoms and levels of severity. Back injuries can be temporary, long-term, or even lifelong.
Some of the most common types of back injuries from accidents include:
Herniated Discs
This is when one of your spinal discs, which act as a cushion between your vertebrae, gets partially or completely pushed out of place.
A herniated or bulging disc can lead to shooting pain, radiating numbness or tingling, and muscle spasms.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Car accidents are one of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries in the United States. They can either be classified as complete or incomplete, which refers to the severity of the spinal cord injury.
Spinal cord injuries can lead to symptoms such as loss of mobility, weakness in certain parts of the body, and the inability to register temperatures or feel pain in some areas. Some may become completely paralyzed as a result.
Fractured Vertebrae
A fractured vertebrae, also known as a spinal fracture, is when one or more vertebrae - the individual segments that make up the spinal cord - breaks.
Frequent back pain, numbness of the limbs, and difficulty walking are common symptoms of this type of back injury.
Sprains and Strains
Also known as soft tissue injuries, sprains and strains affect the ligaments and muscles/tendons, respectively.
During an accident, these soft tissues may become stretched and torn, resulting in pain, inflammation, bruising, and limited mobility in the area.
Common Causes of Back Injuries in Personal Injury Cases
Back injuries can result from any type of accident, not just car accidents. Here are some other causes of back injuries that are commonly seen in personal injury cases:
Motorcycle accidents
Sports-related injuries
Workplace accidents
Use of a defective product
Why Hire a Back Injury Attorney?
Even if the evidence is clear as day, and it’s obvious you weren’t at fault, fighting for compensation for a back injury on your own can be difficult. With many complicated aspects to consider, the potential for a dispute from the opposing party, on top of the insurance company denying or dragging on the claim, it’s imperative to have a personal injury attorney by your side to help.
What is more, recovering from an injury, let alone an accident, can be exhausting, physically discomforting, and emotionally traumatic, which can make it difficult to get through court without a legal representative.
When you hire a personal injury lawyer, you can rest assured that they will help:
Ensure you know your rights
Decide who’s at fault based on the circumstances of your accident
Fill out and file all necessary legal documents on your behalf
Document your injuries and gather evidence
Determine how much compensation you may be owed
Communicate and negotiate with the insurance company
Take your case to trial if a settlement can’t be reached beforehand
Represent you in court and make solid arguments to defend you
Types of Compensation for a Back Injury
Did you know that you may not only be entitled to compensation for medical expenses related to your back injury, but also other types of compensation as well?
Potential compensation for back injuries includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost wages from not being able to work temporarily or permanently, loss of enjoyment of life, as well as physical therapy or rehabilitation.
The Long-Term Aftermath of a Back Injury
Obtaining a back injury isn’t just a short-term inconvenience; it can be a long-term or even permanent alteration.
After a back injury, one may suffer from chronic and debilitating pain, the need for several lifestyle adjustments, trouble getting around on their own, and the inability to work. They may have to attend frequent physical therapy appointments, have to hire a part-time or full-time caregiver, or may have to have multiple surgeries. Some may never be able to walk again or return to their original career or recreational activities.
With the long-term impact of back injuries, it’s critical to have a legal representative by your side to help you recover the costs of your injury, whether it be past, current, or future expenses.
How to Prove a Back Injury in Court
A back injury following an accident can be proven in court with:
Medical records
Treatment journal
MRI or CT scans
X-rays
Police report of the accident
Witness statements
Orthopedic or spinal specialist statements
Documentation regarding your employment or income
Time Limit to File a Personal Injury Case
Every state has its own time limit or statute of limitations for filing a personal injury case. In California, people typically have up to two years from the date an injury occurs to file a lawsuit.
Once the statute of limitations is up, the victim may no longer be eligible to seek compensation in court. This is why it’s imperative to act as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Suffering from a back injury can be a major life-changer, affecting your mobility, leading to significant pain, and more. A back injury can also hit your wallet hard with costs for diagnosis, physical therapy appointments, pain medication, and potential surgery. Fortunately, a personal injury attorney can help you fight for the compensation that’s rightfully yours.
Have you or a family member recently been involved in an accident that resulted in a back injury? It’s time to consider taking legal action. Contact our law firm today to get a free consultation.