Back Pain After a Car Accident? Protect Yourself With These 3 Steps

The back is one of the most complex parts of the body. Even a low-speed “fender bender” can cause extensive damage to your spine and untold pain and suffering. However, when your back injury is due to a motor vehicle accident, you may have legal options.

In this blog, the Andy Citrin Injury Attorney team discusses simple ways that you can help your back heal and protect your personal injury claims. Keep reading to learn more about what to do after a crash, how you can strengthen your back claim, and how to calculate your back injury’s settlement value.

3 Ways to Protect Your Back After a Crash

Your back is made up of a complex network of nerves, tendons, ligaments, bones, and soft tissue. It supports your body, protects your spinal cord, and helps your brain and body communicate with each other. In other words, it’s essential to almost everything we do.

When one part of your back is malfunctioning — because of injury, an accident, or simply moving the wrong way — it can quickly affect other areas of your body and make life extremely challenging. To protect your health and quality of life, follow these simple steps.

1. Ask a Doctor to Examine Your Back

During a crash, your back can endure a lot of trauma. However, it can be easy to ignore your injuries in the aftermath — your adrenaline is pumping, heart racing, and you’re focused on your immediate safety. However, what you think are minor aches and pains may be early signs of a serious back injury.

Your doctor can help you identify symptoms that you might otherwise miss and provide treatment that prevents your injuries from getting worse and speeds up your recovery. Depending on your situation, you may need care from a variety of medical providers, including your family doctor, neurosurgeons, physical therapists, chiropractors, and rehabilitation specialists.

RELATED: Can I Get Compensation for My Back Pain After a Car Crash?

2. Don’t Ignore Your Back Pain—It May Not Go Away

After surviving a crash, you may want to put the past behind you as quickly as possible. However, that doesn’t mean you should downplay your pain. Many severe back injuries take time to develop, and what seemed like minor aches and pains may really be early signs of a herniated disc or vertebral fracture.

Pay attention to your pain, and don’t assume that you can “walk it off.” This is particularly true if you start to notice:

• Pain that radiates down your arm or leg
• Muscle weakness or drop foot
• Severe chest or abdominal pain
• Problems with bowel or bladder control

These symptoms may be signs of a catastrophic back injury, like cauda equina syndrome, that requires immediate medical care.

3. Consult With an Experienced Injury Lawyer

When you’re suffering from a back injury that wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t have to pay for treatment — it’s that simple. However, calculating your damages isn’t nearly as easy. Before you accept a car accident settlement, consult with a lawyer.

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we help our clients identify precisely how much their car accident claims are worth. Depending on your circumstances, your damages may include:

• The cost of repairing your car and property
• Medical expenses, including surgeries, medication, and therapy
• Long-term care services
• Lost income and wage-earning capacity
• Replacement services if you cannot perform certain chores, like mowing the lawn
• Mobility aids, like wheelchairs, crutches, and ramps
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages, if the at-fault driver intentionally caused your injuries or was highly reckless

Recovering financial compensation for your injuries is notoriously difficult without the help of a lawyer. When you sustain a major injury from a “minor” crash, the insurance company will do all they can to minimize the value of your claims. Their goal is to close your claim as quickly and cheaply as possible.

However, one of our experienced back injury lawyers can help you fight for what you deserve, clearly explain your complicated injuries, and take your case to trial if necessary.

RELATED: Rear-Ended in Alabama? Here’s What You Should Do After a Crash

Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys: Demanding Justice for Car Crash Victims in Alabama and Mississippi

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we take your pain and suffering seriously. When your back injury is keeping you from working, spending time with your family, and enjoying your life, you don’t have to suffer alone. We’ve won millions of dollars for injury victims just like you, and are ready to speak with you about your claim. We’re also happy to meet with you in the comfort of your own home.

Our consultations are always free, confidential, and at no risk to you. To schedule a meeting with one of our experienced back injury lawyers, fill out our quick and easy online contact form or call us at 251-888-8888.

The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.