Back and Neck Pain After a Car Accident

Back and Neck Pain After a Car Accident

After a car accident, some symptoms may not show up immediately. Injured  victims commonly experience neck and back pain after a car crash. You may have suffered a whiplash injury or spinal cord injury.

You deserve compensation for your back and neck injuries. If your accident happened in a no-fault state like Florida, you don’t need to prove fault to recover compensation from your PIP insurance.

If your injuries exceed that coverage, however, you must prove negligence on the part of the defendant to obtain compensation from them for your losses. The support of a legal professional as you pursue compensation from the at-fault party can make a huge difference in your claim.

A Clearwater car accident attorney can recommend steps to protect your rights as an injured victim.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation

Common Causes of Back and Neck Pain After a Car Accident

Back and neck injuries can have a significant impact on your daily life. When you understand the common causes of back and neck pain after a car accident, you can find quality care and protect your rights as an injured victim.

Here are the injuries associated with back and neck pain:

Whiplash Injuries

Whiplash is a common injury that occurs when the head is forcibly whipped back and forth, causing strain and damage to the neck. This often happens during rear-end collisions, where a vehicle strikes the front vehicle from behind.

Symptoms of whiplash can include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and even shoulder or upper back pain. Seek immediate medical attention after a whiplash injury to prevent complications like persistent neck pain, chronic headaches, or nerve damage.

Disc injuries

The forceful impact from a car accident can cause damage to the spinal discs, which are the cushioning pads between the vertebrae in the spine. Herniated or bulging discs can occur when the discs rupture or protrude, putting pressure on the spinal nerves.

This can lead to intense back and neck pain, numbness or tingling in the extremities, and even muscle weakness. Disc injuries require proper diagnosis and treatment to prevent long-term complications.

Neck and back pain associated with disc injuries require prompt and quality medical care. A car accident attorney can prove the extent of your injuries so you can receive the maximum settlement value that covers your medical expenses.

Spinal Cord Injuries

In severe car accidents, the spinal cord can sustain physical harm, leading to significant back and neck pain and potential paralysis. A spinal cord injury is catastrophic and requires immediate medical attention.

Spinal cord injuries often result in long-term medical care and rehabilitation. Spinal cord injury victims often need to modify their homes or vehicles to cope with the new reality.

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident, consult with an attorney experienced car accident lawyer to explore your options for compensation.

Muscle Strains and Sprains

The sudden impact of a car accident can cause muscles in the back and neck to stretch or tear, resulting in strains or sprains. These injuries can trigger neck and back pain and affect your range of motion.

If left untreated, muscle strains and sprains can lead to chronic pain and the development of scar tissue.

Fractures

In high-impact collisions, fractures can occur in the vertebrae, resulting in severe back and neck pain. These fractures can be stable or unstable, and the latter can lead to spinal cord compression and nerve damage.

Fractures require immediate medical attention and often require surgical intervention. If you have suffered back fractures in a crash, a car accident attorney can provide legal support in your pursuit for compensation.

Compensation for Back and Neck Pain

Suffering from back and neck pain after a car accident can be a life-altering experience. It can impact your ability to work or enjoy everyday activities. Spinal cord injury, a severe back injury, can cause permanent disability.

Victims of car accidents endure physical harm, emotional anguish, and financial burden. Nonetheless, personal injury law allows them to obtain compensation for their losses. A car accident attorney can evaluate the extent of your losses and the applicable damages.

Victims of back and neck pain are eligible to various types of compensable damages, including:

Medical Expenses

The medical treatment for back and neck injuries can be costly. To recover, you’ll endure various expenses ranging from medication, emergency room visits, diagnostic tests, physical therapy, and ongoing healthcare.

Compensation can help cover these medical costs, ensuring you receive the necessary treatment without causing financial strain.

Lost Income

Back and neck injuries can often lead to time away from work. This can result in lost income and a significant financial setback. Compensation can help reimburse you for the salary, bonuses, tips, and overtime you lost due to injuries.

A car accident lawyer can compile pay stubs, bank statements, and tax records to prove the extent of your lost income.

Pain and Suffering

A spinal cord injury can trigger persistent back and neck pain. Most victims of spinal cord injuries endure significant pain and suffering due to nerve pain, loss of movement, sensation, and difficulty with daily activities.

A car accident attorney can document the extent of your pain and suffering and pursue compensation for your losses.

Pain and suffering damages don’t have a direct dollar value because it is an intangible loss. A car accident lawyer understands various computation methods, allowing them to protect your interest during negotiations.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life

Back and neck pain can severely impact your ability to enjoy activities or participate in hobbies that you enjoyed before a car crash. It falls under non-economic damages, compensating you for an intangible loss.

Here are a few examples of loss of enjoyment of life:

• A car accident victim who can no longer play soccer due to chronic back and neck pain
• A travel enthusiast who can no longer enjoy visiting places due to limited mobility
• A car accident victim who is afraid of going to social places because of emotional distress

Compensation can account for the loss of enjoyment and the disruption to your quality of life caused by your injuries.

Emotional Anguish

The events leading to a car accident can be a source of emotional anguish to injured victims. Discovering you’ll be permanently disabled can also trigger anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

A car accident lawyer can help you recognize and fight for compensation for the emotional distress and anguish you have experienced.

Permanent Disability

When it comes to neck and back pain after a car accident, one of the most serious outcomes can be permanent disability. This occurs when the damage to the neck or back is so severe that it leads to long-term or lifelong limitations and impairments.

Permanent disability can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, affecting their ability to work, engage in daily activities, and enjoy recreational pursuits. It can result in chronic pain, limited mobility, and decreased independence.

The permanent disability damage allows an injured victim to obtain compensation for the losses associated with their new reality.

Steps to Take If You’re Experiencing Pain After a Crash

Your actions after a car accident can enhance your health and protect your rights as an injured victim.

Take the following steps if you experience pain after a crash:

Seek Medical Attention

If you experience neck and back pain after a car accident, you should seek immediate medical attention. Even if your pain seems minor at first, it can indicate a more serious underlying injury.

The impact force of a car accident can cause significant damage to your neck and back, even in seemingly low-speed collisions. Whiplash, herniated discs, and spinal cord injuries are just a few examples of the injuries that can result from such accidents.

Without proper diagnosis and treatment, these injuries can worsen over time and lead to chronic pain and long-term disabilities.

By seeking medical attention, you not only prioritize your health but also strengthen your potential legal case. A doctor’s visit will create timely medical records you can rely on to pursue a personal injury claim.

A car accident attorney will rely on medical records to fight for a fair settlement value for your losses.

Gather Accident Related Information

After a car accident, gather as much information as possible to support any potential personal injury claim. Having thorough documentation will strengthen your case and increase your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and damages.

Here are some essential pieces of information you should gather after a car accident:

• Obtain the names, phone numbers, and addresses of all parties involved, including drivers, passengers, and witnesses. 
• Exchange insurance information with the other parties involved, including policy numbers and insurance company names. A car accident lawyer can use insurance information to initiate a claim and negotiate for a maximum value for your losses.
• Collect the driver’s license information of all drivers involved in the accident. 
• Take pictures or videos of the accident scene, including the vehicles involved, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries. Visual evidence can be invaluable in proving liability and damages.

By gathering accident-related information, you will have the necessary evidence to support your personal injury claim. A car accident lawyer can provide legal support in the process of collecting and preserving the evidence.

Report the Accident to the Police Department

After a car crash, report the incident to the police department, regardless of the severity of the injuries or damage to the vehicles involved. Many states require drivers to report crashes that result in injuries, death, or property damage.

By reporting the accident to the police, you establish an official record of the incident. This record is an invaluable source of evidence when filing an insurance claim or pursuing legal action.

A police accident report is an objective account with essential information, including:

• details about the accident scene
• witness statements
• Violations of traffic laws

Further, involving the police can protect your rights in case of a dispute or disagreement with the other party involved. The official report can establish the at-fault party, allowing you to obtain damages for your losses.

Get in Touch With an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

While many injured victims obtain compensation from the insurer of the at-fault party, some do not. You can work with a car accident lawyer to protect your interest during the personal injury claim.

Insurance companies are not your allies; their primary goal is to minimize liability, pay as little as possible, or reject your claim. Without a car accident attorney, you may be at a significant disadvantage when negotiating with insurance companies.

They can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and advocate for the maximum compensation possible for your injuries.

A car accident attorney can also advise you so you can make appropriate decisions that protect your rights. Lastly, a car accident lawyer will ensure your claim adheres to legal timelines and deadlines.

Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer About Your Injury Claim Today

A back or neck injury can affect your ability to work or enjoy life. You, therefore, deserve compensation for your injury-related losses. Even so, the journey to protect your rights has many hurdles.

The insurer of the at-fault party can shift blame or deny your claim. You must also gather compelling evidence to prove the extent of your injuries. You can lose your right to compensation if you initiate a personal injury claim without legal support.

A Clearwater personal injury lawyer can advise you, gather evidence, negotiate, and maximize the settlement value on your behalf. Protect your rights by getting in touch with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident.