Several types of injuries can happen as a result of an auto accident. Commonly, those injuries are in the neck and back. They range from mild neck pain to herniated discs to serious head trauma. These violent collisions can be debilitating and are too often life-threatening.
Today we’ll go over some of the most common injuries after an auto accident and the steps to take to ensure your rights are met.
Neck and Back Pain and Injury
When an auto collision takes place, the neck and back usually bear the brunt of the encounter. This is based on how we’re sitting, airbags, seatbelts, and whether we tense up. If you are in a collision, you may not know the damage that’s been done immediately. Often, adrenaline kicks in, and the pain goes undetected for hours or even days. Seek medical attention as soon as you can after a vehicle accident.
You may experience any of the following:
Cervical fracture
The part of the spine that starts in the neck is called your cervical spine, and it consists of vertebrae that protect the spinal cord. These vertebrae are essential to the spine’s structure, supporting its integrity and the neck’s important range of motion. For a relatively small area of the body, it’s pretty powerful.
However, the forceful impact of a collision can harm the area significantly, breaking vulnerable neck bones (vertebrae), called a cervical fracture. The break can lead to surgery, rehabilitation, neck brace, hospital care, traction, physical therapy, permanent injury, and more.
Herniated discs
The spine is made up of several discs with a soft cushioning inside them; when the back or neck is jerked or sustains a violent blow or impact, excessive pressure on the discs can push the soft cushioning outside it’s intended enclosure, known as disc herniation.
While that alone does not cause pain, when the cushioning hits the nerves around the spine, pain is the result; it can be sharp and shooting or dull and chronic. Sometimes a chiropractor can non-invasively get the spine back into its proper balance; other times, surgery is necessary. Both can lead to rehabilitation, several doctor’s visits, and prescription medication for the pain.
Neck sprain or whiplash
Quick, sudden impacts from behind can cause the neck to thrust forward and back abruptly; the movement stretches ligaments and muscles in the neck to an unnatural state and can cause neck sprain or whiplash. The result is often:
- Pain
- Loss of range of motion
- Stiffness
- Numbness
- Loss of flexibility and mobility
- Dizziness
Sometimes, the pain spreads to the shoulders and down the back, which may be due to the over-compensation of other muscles, joints, and ligaments unintended to support the body in its injured state. Treatments come in the form of pain medication, neck brace, rehabilitation, and physical therapy in most cases.
Broken back
As you can imagine, this is a severe, life-altering, excruciating injury. A broken back requires immediate attention, and the patient may be in the hospital for weeks or months. Rehabilitation will be needed, and depending on how significant the spine is injured, damage can be permanent.
Next Steps and How an Auto Accident Attorney Can Help
After your collision, it’s imperative to see a medical doctor as soon as possible. Even if you aren’t in pain, or in “much” pain, these types of accidents often see a rise in pain as time goes on.
Not only will a visit with a doctor tell you the true severity of your injuries, but should you need to pursue legal action, having your injury documented will help your case dramatically. If insurance needs to be involved, it’s important that they also know how the event took place and how you were impacted.
Seeking the advice of a North Denver car accident attorney should be the next step after your medical needs are met. Here’s why:
Inability to work means lost income
Your injury has probably kept you from work, whether for a couple of days or months or the foreseeable future. A personal injury lawyer can help get you the financial income you lost and will lose while recovering from your injuries, even if you can never work again.
Medical bills mean lost income
Your insurance may cover it, but if the accident wasn’t your fault, they shouldn’t have to. A skilled attorney will submit your medical bills, insurance increases, and all financial documents pertaining to your injury to the court to get them paid or reimbursed.
Loss of property means lost income
You may have lost your car, items in your car, or even items on your body due to the auto collision. It is not your responsibility to pay for those things to be fixed or pay for new items. Let a personal injury attorney get you the compensation you’re entitled to.
Pain and suffering and accountability
While the accident’s monetary portion is more easily accounted for, the pain and suffering portion takes some experience and legal knowledge to prove. Our team knows how to fight for all you lost in your accident and hold all parties accountable for their negligence.
The Takeaway
If you’re wondering whether a caring, experienced personal injury lawyer is going to truly help with the backlash of your auto accident, the answer is yes. The attorneys at Hull and Zimmerman want to support you on your road to recovery. Let us take over the legalities so you can focus on your rehabilitation.
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