Neck and Back Pain After Car Accidents
Our Jacksonville accident attorneys can help you recover physically and financially
When you’re hurt in a car accident, the pain and impairment of the injuries can linger for days, weeks, months, or even longer. Pain isn’t just discomfort: it can affect your quality of life and your ability to work. It can also be a sign of a serious or even life-threatening underlying injury.
If your back or neck hurts after a car accident, don’t ignore it. Get checked out by a doctor and make sure you get a diagnosis for your injury. You should also get legal advice. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you get the treatment you need and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Whether you were hit from behind in a rear-end accident or hurt in another type of crash, insurance companies will try to limit your compensation.
That’s why you need to reach out to The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic in Jacksonville, Florida.
What causes neck and back pain after a car accident?
Neck pain and back pain are some of the most common symptoms after a car crash because of the way car crashes happen. When you’re sitting in a car, the force of the seat pressing against your back can cause injuries to the upper body, including upper and lower back injuries. When the body comes to a stop, the head keeps moving, and the violent forward and backward motion of the head can cause neck injuries such as whiplash.
What are common neck and back injuries caused by car accidents?
Some of the underlying injuries that may be associated with neck and back pain include:
- Herniated discs
- Sprains and strains
- Vertebrae fractures (broken back)
- Facet joint injuries
- Spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebra)
- Sciatica
- Pinched nerve
In addition, different types of damage to the body that often cause back and neck pain can also cause other serious injuries. For example, the violent forward and backward motion of the head that causes whiplash can also lead to a concussion. That’s why it’s important to get checked out by a doctor even after a minor car accident, especially if you have a burning pain in your neck; upper, lower, or middle back pain; or even just a headache. Tell your doctor about every symptom, no matter how minor.
How long does neck or back pain last after a car accident?
It’s common to experience delayed back or neck pain after a car accident. Some injuries are immediately obvious, but others can take days or weeks to set in. Some injuries heal in time, but others can develop into chronic pain that requires medical treatment for the rest of your life. The cost of medical treatment for chronic pain – including back and neck pain – can add up over time. These costs should be accounted for in your financial compensation for your car accident, either in a negotiated settlement or a jury verdict.
When to see a doctor after a car accident
Make sure you see a doctor right away after your car accident if you experience any neck or back pain or any other injury symptoms. And make sure you schedule a follow-up doctor’s appointment. Chronic pain often does not go away on its own and can get worse over time.
Your doctor can develop a treatment plan to provide relief from pain caused by a car accident. You’ll also have a medical record documenting your neck or back injury. This is important because insurance companies can be difficult to deal with when it comes to chronic back and neck pain. Many times, insurance companies deny these injury claims. That’s why having medical records documenting your injury is so important.
How much is a settlement for neck and back pain after a car accident worth?
The short answer is that you should be financially compensated for your injury-related expenses due to your car accident. In most cases, this money will be paid to you as a settlement. This is a one-time payment (made by an insurance company) to settle a car accident claim once and for all.
The thing to remember about a settlement is that once you accept it, your case is settled, meaning you can’t go back for more money. So you need to make sure your settlement covers the entire long-term cost of the injury, including chronic pain, future surgery, and other costs.
That’s why our Jacksonville car accident lawyers want to help you with your neck and back pain settlement. We know how the legal system works and we can demand maximum financial compensation for you.
An attorney can advocate for full value for your neck or back injury
Pain can have a profound impact on your quality and enjoyment of life. It can also affect you financially. You may need medication, physical therapy, or other treatment to help you manage your pain. You may also be unable to work, affecting your income. Those are real costs that deserve full compensation to help you rebuild your life and reach the same standard of living you had before your accident.