Neck and Back Injuries From Car Accident
Many neck and back injuries result from other people’s carelessness or negligence. You should not have to bear the financial burden of medical expenses if someone else was responsible for your injury. A San Antonio personal injury attorney can help you seek financial compensation for your losses. Attorney Troy A. Brookover is a neck and back injury lawyer with more than 30 years of experience serving injured people. He has helped thousands of people pursue financial recovery so they can move forward with their lives.
At the Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover, we believe every injured person deserves skilled legal representation. The firm offers free initial consultations. You will not owe any legal fees unless you receive a settlement or court award for your injuries. Contact us in San Antonio today to discuss your case.
What To Do Right After a Neck or Back Injury
The most important thing to do after suffering a neck or back injury is to see a doctor immediately. Severe injuries can have long-term effects if they are not treated quickly. An injury that seems minor at first may cause more pain and discomfort in the days afterward due to swelling. Getting to a doctor as soon as possible is the best thing you can do to protect your long-term health.
Once you have begun medical treatment, write down everything you remember about how your injury occurred. You should do this while the details are still fresh in your mind. You may need to refer to these notes later. If you have any photos from the accident scene or other evidence that may be relevant to a personal injury claim, keep them in a safe, secure place.
It is a good idea to avoid making social media posts about the accident or your injuries. Insurance company adjusters will try to access your social media accounts. You never know how your innocent comments or family vacation photos might be used by an insurance company to call into question your claim of physical injuries. If you need to update anyone about your health, it is best to do so in person or over the phone.
Do not give any recorded statements to an insurance company until you have spoken to a personal injury attorney. An insurance company may offer you a quick settlement, but the offer most likely is far less than the full value of your claim. This is a common tactic by insurers to limit their liability. A neck and back injury lawyer can negotiate with the insurer on your behalf.
Most Common Types of Neck and Back Injuries
Some of the most common types of neck injuries in San Antonio are:
- Whiplash – A car crash or other accident can whip your head and neck violently forward and backward, extending beyond its normal range of motion. When this happens, it can injure the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones in your neck, shoulders, and upper back. The motion of your head and neck after an accident resembles a cracking whip. Whiplash injuries are especially common in rear-end collisions.
- Neck fracture – A severe accident can cause the bones in your neck to break completely, or they might develop hairline cracks, known as stress fractures. A neck fracture can be fatal if not treated quickly or leave victims paralyzed.
- Herniated discs – Each vertebra in your neck is supported by spongy discs that help cushion your spine. The discs can be damaged in an accident, causing extreme pain.
Back injuries are even more common. Some of the most common back injuries we see at our firm include:
- Back strains and sprains – Your spine connects to muscles, ligaments, and tendons throughout your back that help you move and bend. You may suffer severe pain and other effects if these muscles or connective tissues are injured in an accident.
- Herniated discs – Spongy discs between the vertebrae help cushion the bones and facilitate movement and flexibility in the spine. An injury can cause one or more discs to rupture, putting pressure on nerves and radiating pain to the arms or legs.
- Spinal stenosis – A motor-vehicle crash, fall, or other accident can injure your spinal cord and cause the channel that houses your spinal nerves to narrow. These injuries are often caused by loose bone fragments in the spine.
Most Common Symptoms of Neck and Back Injuries
Common symptoms of neck injuries include:
- Pain or stiffness in your neck, especially when turning your head
- Neck pain that worsens when walking or standing
- Headaches, particularly at the base of the skull
- Blurry vision
- Ringing in your ears
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating
- Numbness or weakness in the arms or upper body
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
Common symptoms of back injuries include:
- Pain in the upper or lower back
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your body below the site of the injury
- Muscle spasms
- Reduced mobility or range of motion
- Issues with digestion
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Sudden, unexplained changes in your heart rate or blood pressure
- Sexual dysfunction
Most Common Causes of Neck and Back Injuries
Any physical trauma can potentially cause a back or neck injury, but some of the most common causes of these injuries are:
- Motor-vehicle crashes – Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and semi-truck accidents can inflict intense physical trauma on the bones and soft tissues in your neck and back. Even if the bones do not fracture, the force of the collision may be enough to cause a serious neck or back injury. Pedestrians and bicyclists are especially likely to suffer back or neck injuries after a crash.
- Slip-and-fall accidents – Landing hard on your back or neck after a fall can injure the bones and connective tissues in your back and neck. People also suffer back and neck injuries by twisting at an unnatural angle as they try to catch themselves while falling.
- Sports accidents – A violent collision while playing contact sports such as football can injure parts of your back and neck.
- Work accidents – Back injuries are common workplace injuries often caused by lifting and handling loads. Slip-and-falls, coming into contact with heavy machinery, and being hit by a falling object on the job can cause a neck or back injury. You may be eligible to claim workers’ compensation benefits after a work-related injury or pursue a personal injury claim in some cases.
- Repetitive stress – Not all back and neck injuries result from a single traumatic event. Damage to the bones in your neck or spine may occur gradually due to repetitive tasks. As your bones weaken over time, they become more susceptible to injury.
- Physical assaults – When another person strikes you, whether with their hands or with an object, your back or neck could be injured. If you’re assaulted, see a doctor right away, even if you don’t think you were seriously hurt.
Pursuing Compensation After a Neck or Back Injury
Neck and back injuries can significantly affect many aspects of your life. A neck and back injury lawyer can help you seek compensation for many types of losses after an accident, including:
- Medical expenses
- Your lost wages and reduced future earnings due to your injury
- Your pain and suffering
- Future medical expenses if you need ongoing treatment
- Your reduced quality of life
- Your emotional distress
Filing a Claim for a Neck or Back Injury
Once you have begun medical treatment for a neck or back injury, an experienced lawyer At Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover can guide you through the entire process of filing a personal injury claim. We will:
- Investigate the accident
- Determine financial liability
- Calculate your present and future losses
- File a claim on your behalf with the at-fault party’s insurance company
- Enter into settlement negotiations with the insurance company
- File your case with your local civil court
- File any relevant pre-trial motions
- Take your case to trial if negotiations do not produce an acceptable settlement
Schedule a Free Case Review with Our Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys
We have seen how neck and back injuries can disrupt the lives of people after car crashes, work accidents, and other serious accidents. Our team of car accident lawyers will focus on helping you pursue full compensation for your injuries, so you can focus on your health and family. Contact the Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover today for a free consultation with a San Antonio back and neck injury attorney.