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Is Back Pain After a Car Accident a Symptom of an Injury?
Back injuries are a common consequence of motor vehicle accidents. Sometimes the victim may experience immediate back pain after their auto accident which would cause them to seek immediate medical treatment. They may also be able to file a personal injury insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to cover their medical expenses and other losses they have suffered within a short time.
But in other cases, the victims may experience delayed back pain, which begins after some time may have passed since the accident. If you’re in this position, you may be wondering whether the back pain you currently feel is a sign of a back injury and whether it could be related to the motor vehicle crash you suffered. The answer to your question is yes. Your back pain could be a sign of a back or spinal cord injury, and it could be related to the car crash you were in.
According to a 2020 study, some people may experience back pain, especially in the lower back area, years after a car crash, although the risks are higher for those who suffered other injuries in the crash. Still, you’ll need to get checked out by a skilled medical professional to confirm whether an underlying injury from your car crash is the reason for your back pain.
If your doctor confirms that you have a back injury, you may have trouble getting compensation from the at-fault driver or their insurance company. Because a significant amount of time may have passed, it may be difficult to convince them that your current back injury is related to your previous vehicle accident. But do not let that deter you from filing your insurance claim.
This guide discusses some common symptoms and types of back injuries that car crash victims may suffer and explains how to navigate the insurance claims process even if your back injury symptoms are delayed.
Symptoms of a Back Injury After a Car Accident
Although chronic pain is the most obvious, it is not the only symptom of a back injury. You could experience other sensations that could indicate damage to your back after a car accident, including the following:
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Tingling or numbness in your back
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Discomfort when walking or standing
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Muscle spasms, especially in the back area.
The spinal cord, which is located at your back, is connected to other parts of your body, including your hands, feet, neck, or shoulders. Hence neck or shoulder pain or a funny sensation in those areas could also indicate a problem with your back.
Sometimes the pain or strange sensation may not occur continuously but only becomes apparent when you try to do certain activities or change your body position.
Essentially the symptoms of a back injury extend beyond back pain alone. Hence it is important to get yourself checked out as soon as possible once you notice anything out of place.
Common Back Injuries That Could Occur After a Car Accident
Some of the common back injuries that are known to occur as a result of back trauma during car accidents include the following:
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Spinal cord injuries
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Soft tissue injuries such as back sprains
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Lumbar/Spine Injuries
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Herniated disc
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Degenerative spinal disorders such as sciatica and spinal osteoarthritis.
Some of these conditions have no permanent cure. You’ll need to manage and live with them for the rest of your life. Some may result in significant physical disability, requiring considerable lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and many expenses.
If you’re diagnosed with any of such illnesses, it is only fair that the person responsible for the accident or their insurance company bears some of the expenses you’ll need to incur due to your injuries.
Claiming Compensation for a Delayed Back Injury
Getting compensation for a delayed back injury after a car accident could be tricky. Insurance companies are constantly looking for reasons to deny auto accident claims. In your case, they may be justified unless you can establish a link between your back injury and an auto accident.
You’ll need to get checked out by a medical professional, preferably a specialist focusing on back or spinal injuries, and obtain a medical report from them. Their medical opinion/diagnosis could go a long way to show that the trauma from the car accident is the reason for your current injury, regardless of how much time has passed.
It would also help if you have not suffered a back injury at work in the intervening period or benefited from any Slip and Fall at Work Settlements. Otherwise, it would be easy to attribute your back injuries to causes other than the car accident.
You may also need to provide evidence of any expenses you’ve made during your treatment or due to the accident so the insurance company can assess your claim and properly determine the amount you can get as settlement.
What To Do if the Insurance Company Denies Your Claim
If the insurance company denies your claim despite the evidence you provided while filing, all hope is not lost. You can file a lawsuit against them to enforce your rights and get your deserved compensation.
By the Missouri personal injury statute of limitations, you have five years from the date of the injury to file such a lawsuit. If you fail to file the suit within that time, you’ll forever be unable to claim damages from the other party, no matter how good your case may be.
Hence you need to act quickly. Once you feel back pain or any other symptom after a car accident, seek medical attention immediately. The outcome of your treatment and diagnosis would determine whether you need to pursue a compensation claim.
How Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help
The personal injury compensation process could be difficult to navigate, especially in cases of delayed injury or symptoms such as yours.
The insurance company may try to deny your claim because time has passed between your accident and your current diagnosis. They may also try to underpay you or set up obstacles that would compel you to settle for an amount in damages that is much less than you deserve.
When this happens, you’ll need skilled personal injury lawyers to advocate for you and ensure that you are not cheated out of your entitlements regardless of the duration between your accident and your discovery of your injuries.
Personal injury attorneys understand the kind of evidence you’ll need to succeed with your insurance claim. They can ensure that all your documents are in order before you file. This way, the insurance company would have no reason to delay or deny your payment.
In the event that the insurance company denies your claim or settlement negotiations fail, your lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf at the appropriate court. They can represent you during the trial and advance arguments to further your claim before the judge.
With a competent lawyer by your side, you can rest easy and focus on taking care of your health, knowing that your case is in safe hands.
Contact Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien for Help With Your Car Accident Injuries
If you have further questions about getting compensation for a car accident back injury or any of the other Common Car Accident Injuries, we are here to help.
We understand the challenges of dealing with unwilling insurance companies, especially since you may also be dealing with your injuries and medical treatment. We are here to offer our support and represent you throughout the claims process to ensure that your finances are not depleted due to an accident caused by another.
Call us to schedule a free consultation immediately. Let us assess your case and strategize on the next steps together.
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