A back injury from a car accident can cause physical pain and result in financial loss. From our experienced Greenville car accident lawyer at Bobby Jones Law, here’s what victims in Greenville, SC need to know.
Common Types of Back Injuries After a Car Accident
Common back injuries from car accidents include the following:
- Whiplash—Whiplash occurs when the force of a car accident stretches soft tissue beyond what it can withstand. Whiplash results from strained muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissue.
- Broken vertebrae—Vertebrae can break from car accident trauma. The break can cause sharp pain, limit mobility, and leave the spine exposed and vulnerable.
- Spinal cord damage—Trauma to the spinal cord may include compression, cutting, or severance. The result can be immediate, irreparable damage to the body’s vital communication channels.
- Herniated disc—When the soft tissue of the spinal disc bulges through its tough, outer membrane, it can cause pain, numbness, and tingling.
- Facet joint injury—Harm to the joints between vertebrae.
- Nerve damage—A car accident can result in nerve damage to areas besides the spinal cord. These peripheral nerves are a complex network that branches from the spine.
- Sprain—Ligament stretches or tears, resulting in pain, stiffness, or muscle spasms.
- Secondary symptoms—Back trauma can impact systems throughout the body.
If you have back pain after a car accident, you may be entitled to a monetary award. An attorney can represent you in your claim.
Long-Term Effects of Back Injuries from Car Crashes
A back injury can cause long term effects. A person may experience:
- Pain, aching, or sharp
- Limiting range of motion
- Disfigurement, loss of posture
- Inability to work
- Secondary medical problems from loss of activity
- Degeneration, wear and tear
- Loss of muscle
- Weight gain
- Diminished quality of life
- Mental health challenges
Back injuries can affect a person physically, financially, and emotionally. These long-term effects deserve compensation. The victim must identify the long-term impact for their legal claim.
How Back Injuries Affect Settlement Value
A back injury can be valued for a car accident claim settlement. It’s important to fully explore several aspects of the injury:
- Accurate and complete diagnosis
- Pain and suffering associated with the injury
- Long-term pain, discomfort, and disfigurement
- Indirect physical injury, like radiating pain and damage to bodily systems
- Intangible lifestyle impact, including work, social relationships, and community
- Cost of care, including surgery, rehabilitation, medical supplies, and more
- Long-term prognosis
At the time of injury, the person’s long-term recovery may not be known. It’s important to fully explore the injury’s impact and settle the case at the right time. You may have legal representation throughout your case.
How much is the average settlement for a car accident back injury?
The average settlement for a car accident back injury depends. Most cases are settled, but some can go to trial. Awards can vary depending on the applicable law in the jurisdiction and the available insurance policies.
A car accident with mild back injuries may settle for $5,000 to $15,000. Serious, life-changing injuries may be awarded $200,000 or more. Catastrophic injury claims may be even higher.
It’s impossible to determine what you might receive in a settlement based on calculated averages. There are many factors that may impact what you may receive for your case.
How long does your back take to heal from a car accident?
Soft tissue injuries from a back injury may heal in several weeks. Severe injuries may require months of treatment and healing. Some back trauma may leave permanent disability and disfigurement.
What you do in the days and weeks after a car accident can impact your healing. Thoroughly identifying injuries, ensuring proper rest, and the appropriate rehabilitation efforts can minimize impact.
Common Legal Issues in Back Injury Claims
Here are some common legal issues that arise in back injury claims.
Settling too soon. If the insurance company offers you a quick settlement, be careful. They may be hoping that you’ll settle the case before the full extent of your injuries is known. That can result in getting less compensation than you deserve.
Undervalued pain and suffering. Back injuries can be painful and can cause long-term disability and lingering pain. Too often, car accident victims don’t know what this means for compensation. They may undervalue their pain and suffering.
Rehabilitation. As the car accident victim, you must take reasonable measures to mitigate your damages. That means resting injuries and following medical care instructions. Expect the defense to check social media and ask witnesses about your activity levels. Keeping a diary of pain and medical care can build evidence in your favor.
Medical evidence. Back injury car accident claims rely on medical evidence. There are special rules for admitting medical evidence in court using qualified experts. It’s important to understand these rules and prepare testimony properly.
All damages. If the back injury is the most disabling harm from the car accident, it can be easy to focus on it exclusively. But many types of economic and non-economic compensation may be available. The claim may seek compensation for all damages.
Proving Pain and Suffering in a Back Injury Claim
An important part of a back injury compensation claim is proving pain and suffering. Even a soft tissue injury can cause significant pain and impairment.
Typically, this is done with a combination of medical experts and lay testimony. The victim may journal their recovery and physical limitations. They may explain how their work, family, and personal activities have been impacted. Medical professionals can explain the diagnosis, expected prognosis, and patient impact.
Talk to a Car Accident Back Injury Attorney in Greenville, SC
Bobby Jones Law represents people injured in car accidents. We handle claims in Greenville, SC, and the surrounding areas. If you or a loved one has been hurt, we invite you to contact us. Discuss your case. See how our law firm represents car accident back injury victims, and how we may help you. We’re taking new cases now. Contact us today.
