Learn how a car accident lawyer can help after a neck or back injury.
Some of the most common types of car accident injuries involve damage to the neck and back. Under Ohio law, crash victims deserve to be paid for their accident-related expenses.
But how do you actually get the money you deserve for your back or neck injury claim? How does the process work? And how much money can you receive? Crash victims need accurate answers to these questions as soon as possible. That's why we want to help.
The Ohio car accident attorneys at the Gervelis Law Firm have years of experience handling complicated injury claims. We know how the compensation system works when it comes to painful neck injuries, along with back and spinal cord injuries sustained in serious car crashes.
What are common car accident neck injuries?
More than 800,000 people on average each year sustain painful neck injuries in car accidents, according to a recent scientific study. Such neck injuries often include:
- Whiplash – The most common car accident neck injury, whiplash involves the neck being suddenly and forcefully jerked back and forth, especially in rear-end accidents. A type of soft tissue injury, whiplash can affect the neck's muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
- Neck fracture – Broken bones in the neck may occur due to high-impact car accidents, which can be severe and may require surgery or other forms of emergency medical care.
- Neck sprain and strain – Injury to the neck muscles and ligaments caused by being stretched or torn due to the sudden, forceful movement of the head and neck.
What are common car accident back injuries?
Serious back injuries sustained in car crashes cover a wide range, including:
- Herniated disc – Injury to the soft, rubber-like cushions (discs) in the spine, in which the discs are torn, and the jelly-like center of the disc pushes through the outer wall of the spine. Herniated discs can cause significant pain and discomfort, especially if the bulging disc presses on a nerve.
- Spinal cord injury – Injuries to the spinal cord, which carries messages from the brain to the rest of the body. Spinal cord injuries can result in total or partial loss of movement below where the spinal cord injury took place.
- Spinal fracture – Severe car accidents can cause fractures or breaks in the vertebrae, the bones that make up the spinal column, resulting in severe pain and limited mobility.
- Lower back injury – Injuries to the lower back often occur due to car crashes. Such injuries often involve the lumbar bones (L1 to L5) and the sacral bones (S1 to S5) near the base of the spine.
- Compression fracture – Injuries in which the vertebrae bones in the spine collapse due to the force of the crash compressing the spine.
- Facet joint injury – Injuries to the joints located between the vertebrae in the back. Facet joint injuries can be very painful and make it difficult for victims to move.
- Thoracic outlet syndrome – Car accident injury in which the nerves are compressed in the upper back, specifically in the area of the spine located between the first rib (thoracic outlet) and the collarbone.
How do crashes cause neck and back injuries?
Neck injuries and back injuries caused by car accidents may occur because one driver did something they should not have been doing on the road. Common examples of reckless or negligent driving behavior include:
- An aggressive driver following another car too closely (tailgating), resulting in a rear-end accident.
- A speeding driver who doesn't have time to avoid crashing into another car.
- A texting driver who crashes into another vehicle because they weren't paying attention to the road.
- A drunk or impaired driver who collides into another car, often head-on, resulting in a back injury or neck injury.
- A reckless driver who ignores the rules of the road, including running a red light or not stopping at a stop sign.
How do I know if I have a neck or back injury?
There are many symptoms and warning signs of a serious neck injury or back injury sustained in a car crash, particularly:
- Severe pain
- Frequent headaches
- Difficulty moving the injured area
- Pain or numbness in the hands or arms
- Reduced range of motion in the injured area
The best way to know if you have a neck or back injury due to a car crash is to see a doctor right away. They can diagnose what's wrong and provide the necessary medical care.
What medical treatments are available?
Medical treatments for back and neck injuries can vary widely. Depending on what type of injury you sustained, such treatments can include:
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medications, especially for chronic pain
- Temporarily immobilizing the injured area
- Rest
- Cortisone shots
What is the average settlement for a neck or back injury?
There's no set amount, but the short answer is you should be financially compensated for all your injury-related expenses, including future anticipated expenses due to your car accident injury. Even if you have medical bills years after your collision due to your injury, you should not have to pay for such expenses.
The best way to know for sure how much money you should receive for your specific accident is to consult an experienced attorney.
An Ohio car accident lawyer can protect your rights.
After a serious car accident, medical bills and other expenses can quickly pile up. Unfortunately, insurance companies are known for offering lowball settlements or denying injury claims altogether to save money. This is why it's important to have an experienced law firm on your side to look out for your best interests and aggressively advocate for the compensation you're entitled to under Ohio law.
At Gervelis Law Firm, our Columbus, OH car accident lawyers are dedicated to helping you recover the compensation you deserve. We take the time to understand your unique situation, answer your questions, and explain all of your potential legal options.
Don't wait until it's too late to take legal action. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to see how our law firm can help you. With five conveniently located offices throughout Ohio, we're here to help you through this difficult time.