Complaints of back pain after a car accident are frequent. The nature of the human body and the physics of a crash make some degree of back or neck pain almost unavoidable; however, this does not mean that these injuries should be easily dismissed.
If you are experiencing back pain after a crash, taking action is critical. A Philadelphia car accident lawyer may help you understand your options and pursue a personal injury claim. Their knowledge of car accident claims and experience with back injury cases can prove beneficial.
What Types of Back Injuries Do Car Accidents Cause?
The force, impact, and acceleration-deceleration of a collision can cause your body to move in unnatural ways. This can cause injury to the spine, discs, soft tissue, nerves, and muscles in the back and neck.
Some causes of back pain after a car accident include:
- Whiplash
- Fractures
- Herniated Discs
- Sciatica
- Spinal Stenosis
- Muscle Strains
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Spinal Fracture
- Spondylolisthesis
- Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerves)
- Nerve Damage
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Ligament Damage
- Ligament Sprains
- Facet Joint Injuries
If you’ve been involved in an accident, getting a medical evaluation is essential. Due to the body’s adrenaline response following a crash, there is often a delayed onset of pain. Imaging tests like CT scans, MRI, or X-rays may be necessary to identify any car accident injuries.
Additionally, back injuries from accidents may cause degenerative issues later on. Due to the injury, there may be an acceleration of the natural “wear-and-tear” of the discs and vertebrae leading to degenerative spinal disorders and degenerative disc disease.
What Are the Symptoms of Back Injury After a Car Accident?
Symptoms from car accident back injuries can range from mild to severe. These injuries can be painful and cause serious impairment of body function, particularly if the spinal cord is affected.
Common back injury symptoms include:
- Lower Back Pain
- Weakness
- Muscle spasms
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Stiffness
- Chronic Pain
- Limited Mobility
While rest, ice and heat therapy, and NSAIDs are sufficient pain management for some injuries, other therapies may be necessary to relieve symptoms. Physical therapy, massage therapy, steroid injections, muscle relaxants, surgery, and rehabilitation exercises are some frequently-used interventions.
How Long Does Back Pain Last After a Car Accident?
Recovery time will depend on your injury. For mild injuries like muscle strains, back pain may last for a few days or weeks. More serious injuries may cause pain that lasts for months or years. In severe cases, pain can last a lifetime.
The severity of the pain and the length of the symptoms will depend on the type of collision (i.e., side-impact accidents, rollover accidents, or rear-end collisions), if you had any pre-existing conditions, and how quickly you sought medical treatment. Depending on your injuries, quality chiropractic care, pain medication, and working with a pain management specialist can significantly improve your quality of life.
Who Pays for My Back Injury Medical Bills?
Who pays your medical bills will depend on your car insurance and which driver was at-fault. If you have full tort or at-fault coverage, you will typically make a claim for the costs of your treatment with the at-fault driver’s insurance. With no tort or no-fault benefits, you will make a claim with your own insurance, no matter who was to blame for the crash.
In some cases, your medical insurance may pay these expenses and seek reimbursement from the appropriate auto insurance policy.
Can You Sue for Back Pain After a Car Accident?
You may be able to sue for back pain after a crash. Since Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state, the type of insurance you have will matter.
If you’ve chosen full tort coverage, you may pursue the at-fault driver and their insurance for damages. However, if you have limited tort coverage, you will make an insurance claim with your own insurer. You can then pursue pain and suffering damages from the responsible party if you have a “serious” injury.
Understanding your insurance policy, how Pennsylvania’s fault law works, how to prove negligence, and the statute of limitations is critical to asserting your car accident rights. Experienced attorneys can help you with your personal injury lawsuit, fighting for fair compensation.
How Much Can You Get for Back Pain After a Car Accident?
The amount of your settlement or court verdict will depend on several factors. The type of injury, severity of the injury, and cause of the injury are major factors. Moreover, the kinds of damages available like economic, pain and suffering, or punitive damages will also affect the payout.
Pennsylvania currently does not impose a cap on damages. However, there is a cap of $500,000 on lawsuits against government agencies. A lawyer can help you understand the damages available in your case and create a strategy to maximize compensation.
Need Legal Help? Get in Touch with The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin
Back pain is considered to be one of the most common injuries resulting from a car accident. At The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C., we understand the serious nature of your back injury. If you are experiencing back pain after a collision, it is critical to take prompt action to secure your health and legal rights.
Contact us now for a free consultation. Our personal injury lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. With decades of experience, you can rest assured that your claim is in good hands.