Neck and Back Pain After a Car Accident
Minor pain could indicate a severe injury, so don’t wait to see a doctor.
Motor vehicle crashes are violent, so it’s common for people to have neck and back pain after a car accident. You could feel the pain instantly or have delayed pain that develops a few days or weeks after the crash.
Regardless, you should always seek medical care to properly diagnose and document any potential neck and back injuries. Then, you should contact an experienced car accident lawyer from our law firm to review your possible legal options.
Remember, neck and back pain can signify a potentially severe injury that can be costly to treat. And if you were injured in a crash that was not your fault, you deserve compensation you’re your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
How do car accidents cause neck and lower back pain?
The impact of a car accident can put a lot of pressure on the body and is often too much for our bodies to handle. The back and neck, especially, are sensitive to intense and sudden movements. For example, it’s common for people to suffer lower back pain and bulging discs in rear-end accidents due to the jolting nature of those crashes.
When a car accident happens, the body absorbs the force from the crash. Being thrown into your seatbelt or hitting something in the car can cause severe neck and back injuries.
Common symptoms and medical treatment
Swelling and inflammation make it possible for symptoms to show up much later after your car accident. But you could feel pain in your neck and back immediately after. Neck and back pain injuries cause the following symptoms:
- Lower back pain
- Unable to turn your neck
- Stiffness in the neck
- Heaviness in your head
- Headaches
- Dizziness or nausea
- Difficulty standing or walking
- Numbness
- Muscle spasms
Your treatment will depend on your injury severity, so we can’t stress enough how important it is to get checked out by a doctor after a car accident. Prescribed medication, ice, and rest may be enough to treat your neck and back pain. For more severe injuries, your doctor may recommend physical therapy and surgery.
How long does neck and back pain last after a car accident?
Since everyone’s body is different, there is no set timeline for your neck and back pain. It may go away within a few days or worsen. Sometimes, chronic pain won’t go away and can continue for weeks and months, especially if you aren’t diagnosed and treated by a doctor.
But what if you walk away from your car accident pain-free? You may think seeing a doctor is unnecessary, but it is far from that. You could very much be injured and experience no symptoms.
Delayed pain is very common after a car accident. It could take days for you to feel the pain of your injury. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. If you wait too long, your injuries could worsen. Diagnosing and documenting your injury as quickly as possible is better for your health and your potential injury claim.
How much is my case worth?
Your claim’s value will depend on the specific details of your case, such as the circumstances surrounding your injury, the severity of your injuries, available insurance coverage, and whether you share any fault for the accident.
Settlement amounts for neck and back injuries can vary dramatically, so the average payout for such claims can be misleading. The best way to get an estimate of your potential claim’s value is to let a car accident lawyer calculate your damages.
An attorney will consider your current and future medical bills, lost wages, the cost of replacement services, and other losses when requesting a settlement amount from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
How long does a lawsuit take?
The length it takes to resolve a car accident case involving neck or back pain will depend on different factors unique to your particular situation. However, it’s important to remember that your time to take legal action is limited.
If you want to seek compensation, you generally have two years from the date of your neck and back injury to file a lawsuit. Legal deadlines are strict.
What a car accident attorney can do for you.
If you’re suffering from neck or back pain after a car accident that wasn’t your fault, an attorney can aggressively advocate for your best interests and fight for the compensation you deserve.
At Hoover Rogers Law, LLP, our legal team has the knowledge, experience, and resources to help you navigate your path to recovery. In addition, we offer legal representation to our personal injury clients on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no fees unless we win your case.
Let us handle everything while you focus on healing. Contact us today to schedule your free injury case consultation.