After a car accident, back and spinal injuries can arise in different forms. Injuries to the back or spine are known to cause pain or numbness that often seems unrelated to the back or neck. These injuries could be the first sign of nerve damage that will last the rest of your life.
At West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD, our car crash attorneys in Houston are all too familiar with the catastrophic injuries that can result from the actions of a negligent driver, and back injuries are some of the most devastating for our clients.
Common Types of Back Injuries
Car crashes involve massive amounts of energy. The full weight of the cars involved can cause serious injuries in the event of a car crash — even at low speeds.
Seat belts and airbags prevent occupants from ricocheting around in the car or being ejected in an auto accident. However, even safety devices like these can come with a cost. The passengers in the car may also be aggressively jolted and twisted. These forces can leave muscles strained, spinal discs crushed, and vertebrae damaged.
Spinal injuries can take many forms, but some of the most common include:
- Muscle strain. The back muscles may be strained, resulting in back pain and weakness. Whiplash is characterized by muscle strain in the neck.
- Spondylolisthesis. The bones that make up the spine are known as vertebrae. These bones can slip out of place if they fracture. This condition is known as spondylolisthesis, and it can result in a painful spinal cord injury.
- Disc injury. The cushions between the vertebrae are called intervertebral discs. The discs can be compressed when they are subjected to the force of a car accident. A bulging or herniated compressed disc can put pressure on the spinal cord.
Damage to the vertebrae or discs can put pressure on the spinal cord, causing severe back pain. Pain, numbness, and weakness in the limbs and buttocks can also be caused by pressure on the nerves. Nerve pressure can even cause bladder and bowel control problems.
Personal Injury Claims for Spinal Injuries
Many types of auto accidents can cause serious back injuries, such as:
- Pedestrian accidents. Even at low speeds, a pedestrian striking a vehicle or the pavement can sustain severe back injuries.
- Bicycle accidents. Cyclists are almost completely unprotected in the event of a collision. As a result, cyclists frequently sustain back injuries as a result of car accidents.
- Motorcycle accidents. Motorcycles have the ability to reach high speeds. Motorcyclists can break vertebrae, ruptured discs, and strain back muscles in the event of a traffic accident.
- Commercial truck accidents. The weight of a fully-loaded semi-truck can be 20 times that of a car. The driver and passengers can suffer serious back injuries as a result of this significant force.
Personal injury cases for back injuries have some common characteristics, regardless of the type of car accident that resulted in a back injury.
Seeking Compensation for a Spinal Injury
There are many costs and expenses that are associated with back injuries following a car crash, such as:
- Medical bills. Out-of-pocket medical expenses, both current and future, are included in your accident damages. Medical treatment, physical therapy, and prescription and over-the-counter medication are also included. Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other emotional issues may require expensive mental therapy.
- Lost income. Many accident victims are unable to work due to back injuries. These lost wages can be recovered in a personal injury claim.
- Diminished earning capacity. Back injuries force some people to change careers. A truck driver with a back injury may be unable to sit long enough to complete their route. Loss of earnings as a result of a career change is another type of loss.
- Pain and suffering. Intense emotional and mental anguish can have a serious impact on those dealing with a back injury.
Back injuries caused by a car accident can last a lifetime. Compensation from a personal injury claim, on the other hand, can assist accident victims in receiving the treatment and recovery they need. Consulting an experienced Houston car accident lawyer as soon as you discover a back injury can help you the complete financial compensation you deserve.
Spinal Injury Lawyers in Houston
There are many obstacles that may arise during a car accident claim. That is why you need a trusted attorney on your side. If your case goes to court, a Houston car crash lawyer can assist you with the difficult personal injury claim paperwork, time-consuming legal processes, and the fight to obtain the money you deserve.
West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD can conduct an investigation into your accident and assist you in obtaining evidence to demonstrate the extent of your injuries. Your lawyer will set up appointments with claims adjusters and assist you at every level of your case in order to obtain the highest potential settlement amount, including gathering evidence to show that the other driver is responsible.
Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD and Nader Rabie, JD are here to help you make a complete recovery after a severe car accident.
Contact West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD immediately at (713) 840-7200 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation if you or a loved one has been unfairly injured in a traffic accident.
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