Back Pain After a Crash? Look Out for These Warning Signs

What You Need to Know About Crash-Related Back Pain

• Back and neck injuries are relatively common after a collision.
• What may seem like a minor backache may be early signs of a serious condition, like a herniated disc.
• Pain, muscle weakness, and numbness are all common signs of back injuries after a car accident.
• After a crash, victims should document their pain, visit a doctor, and consult with an experienced car crash attorney.

During a car accident, violent forces can damage your back’s delicate nerves, muscles, and other structures. Unfortunately, insurance companies tend to fight back injury claims, because they’re expensive and complicated.

Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys has helped many car crash victims get fair compensation for their back injuries. To learn more about your legal rights, keep reading.

Don’t Ignore Your Back Symptoms After a Crash

The back is one of the most complex parts of the human body. It’s not uncommon for a seemingly “minor” accident to lead to extreme pain and discomfort in the days, weeks, and months after an accident — even when you might not feel hurt immediately following the collision.

When you’ve survived a car crash but have persistent pain, it could be connected to an injury in your back. These are common symptoms of an injured back you shouldn’t ignore:

• Numbness, tingling, or stiffness
• Sudden muscle weakness or a foot drop
• Pain that worsens when you try to move or perform your daily activities, like shoulder pain when you try to pick up your child or shooting pain down your leg when you walk
• Bruising or discoloration
• Throbbing pain, sudden intense bursts of pain, or soreness
• Loss of bowel or bladder control

These symptoms might show up later, and if they do, it’s in your best interest to get checked out by a doctor right away.

We know it can be easy for victims to dismiss their pain after a crash. However, without prompt treatment, your seemingly minor back pain may develop into a serious condition. These injuries may include:

• Slipped or herniated discs
• Radiculopathy and other nerve damage
• Arthritis and degenerative disc disease
• Stress fractures and broken vertebrae
• Sprains or strains
• Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
• Cauda equina syndrome

These injuries can be expensive, time-consuming to treat, and incredibly painful. If a reckless driver caused your back injury, you deserve to heal without worrying about medical bills, losing income, or missing out on the activities that bring you joy.

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

Back Pain After an Alabama Crash? Follow These Steps

After a car accident, many victims feel overwhelmed by their pain, stress, and questions about what comes next. You may stay awake at night, worrying about how you’ll pay for your medical care, car repairs, and other expenses. While nothing compares to personalized advice from one of our lawyers, there are steps you can take after a car crash to regain control.

Preserve Your Evidence

What many don’t realize is that there is plenty of evidence that victims can actively preserve, when they are able. Simply taking photos with your cell phone at the scene of the crash is a great way to build your case. If you can, take pictures of the road, scene of the crash, and cars.

Get Checked Out By a Doctor

Whether you feel pain right away or days after an accident, it’s always a good idea to get examined by a doctor. They can help you identify and treat your injuries before they get even worse. This can improve your chances of a fuller recovery and reduce your need for ongoing care.

As your medical bills come in, make sure you keep copies of them. When someone else causes your injuries, you can include the cost of your medical care in your insurance claim or lawsuit.

Create a Pain Diary

When you need to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit, they will ask you about the severity and frequency of your pain. Sometimes, it’s hard to remember all these details. A pain diary can help you track your pain and help you answer questions about your symptoms and limitations.

In a simple notebook or even a daily planner, note what pain you feel and at what severity, what activities your injury prevents you from doing, and the other ways your symptoms affect your life. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our ebook, which includes helpful worksheets.

RELATED: How to Rebuild After a Catastrophic Injury

Consult With an Alabama Car Crash Lawyer

Getting fair compensation after a crash isn’t an easy process. Insurance adjusters typically offer victims low settlement offers that barely cover the costs of their medical bills. To fight back, you’ll need a respected, aggressive lawyer.

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we offer victims a free consultation so they can understand their options and the true value of their case. Meeting with an attorney is the best way to understand the amount you should receive and the legal steps you should take to get there.

Back Hurt After a Crash? Call Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys

If you injured your back, shoulder, or neck in an Alabama car crash that wasn’t your fault, you deserve to understand your options. Schedule your free consultation today by calling our office at 251-888-8888, or by filling out our simple online contact form.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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