Back injuries are one of the most common types of damage caused by a car accident. The sudden jolt caused by a collision can force the structures in the back to twist or compress, which can injure the back in multiple ways. Back injuries can cause long-term, chronic back pain. If you have been injured in a car accident in Fort Wayne, make sure that you receive the compensation you need to pay for medical treatments and recover after an accident.
Types of Back Injuries
Your back is made up of three main parts: the muscles, the vertebrae and discs, and the spinal cord or nerves. Accordingly, most back injuries after a car accident tend to affect one or all of these parts.
Spinal cord injuries are the most serious type of back injuries because an injury to the spinal cord can lead to paralysis or death. Injuries to the spinal cord are permanently disabling.
Fractures of the vertebrae or disc injuries may occur to the cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back) or lumbar (lower back) areas of the spine. Fractures may require surgery or could be treated with a brace for several weeks after the injury. Fractures can take a long time to heal and often require extensive rehabilitation. A herniated disc occurs when the inner portion of the disc pushes outward and presses on the spinal column. This may require conservative treatment and physical therapy, though in some cases, it requires surgery.
Muscle pain, soft tissue damage and whiplash account for a lot of back problems after car accidents. While these problems can be relatively minor, they also can be excruciatingly painful and lead to lifelong pain if not properly treated. Damage from soft tissue injuries may take several days to manifest, so be sure to monitor your body for new, painful injuries in the days following an accident, and always see a doctor shortly after the accident for a medical evaluation.
Compensation for Back Pain after the Accident
Some serious back injuries cause permanent, lasting pain that makes working impossible. If you no longer can work due to a back injury caused by a car accident, you could qualify for Social Security disability benefits. If your injury is expected to last for more than a year, consult a disability attorney for help applying for these benefits.
But for most car accident victims, a personal injury insurance claim will be the primary avenue through which you recover compensation. Common types of damages collected by the victims of car accidents include:
- medical expenses;
- lost wages;
- lost earning potential;
- pain and suffering; and
- compensation for property damage.
Every case is different, and your personal injury lawyer can tell you what you can expect to receive if you file a lawsuit.
The attorneys at Hensley Legal Group represent clients who have suffered back injuries after car accidents in Fort Wayne and throughout Indiana. If you have been injured, act quickly to protect your right to compensation. Call (888) 505-8232 to set up a free initial consultation and see what type of compensation you could receive after suffering a back injury in a car accident.