Back pain is common after a car accident. Any injury to the back can be quite costly, physically debilitating and emotionally traumatic. If you have suffered back pain from a crash, you may be eligible to pursue compensation to help cover your treatment and other medical-related expenses.
However, back pain can be difficult to prove when filing a claim for compensation. There are many challenges involved in these cases, which is why it can be important to have legal representation.
Our lawyers at Greg Monforton & Partners know how to gather evidence of back pain and link it to an accident. Call to set up a free consultation today. Our firm has been helping Ontario residents for 40 years. Visit our client reviews page to learn what our satisfied clients have to say about our services.
Need legal help? Call (866) 320-4770
Areas Affected by a Car Accident
A car accident can affect multiple areas of the back. This includes the lumbar vertebrae or lower back and the thoracic vertebrae or upper back. Any damage to nerves, tendons, muscles, tissues, bones and ligaments in the back and going up to the spine can have a long-term impact.
Many accident victims commonly experience pain in the lower back. There are five large vertebrae in the lumbar spine. Any soft tissue sprains or strains to the lumbar spine in the lower back can be very painful. In a rear-end crash, you may sprain and damage a ligament or strain and stretch a ligament, tendon or muscle. An injury to the lower back could result in the following:
- Bruising
- Limited movement
- Swelling
- Tenderness
Pain in the upper back is less common but can be quite serious. The thoracic spine connects to the rib and chest area. Sprains or fractures to the thoracic spine in the upper back can lead to permanent nerve damage and chronic pain. This often happens in high-speed car accidents.
Common Back Injury Symptoms
After a car accident, you may feel sore everywhere. This can make it harder to figure out if the pain you are experiencing is back-related. The pain can radiate in many different areas of the body.
Some common back injury symptoms include:
- Burning pain – Accident victims may feel searing pain down their back. The ache may be minor and go away rather quickly or it can result in a burning sensation that persists for several days.
- Discomfort – A back injury may make any sort of physical activity uncomfortable. You may have discomfort while standing or walking. You may experience mild pain or a throbbing sensation.
- Muscle spasms – Muscle twitches in the back may happen repeatedly. You may feel tenderness or a hard knot in the affected area. A muscle spasm may cause mild pain or be debilitating.
- Numbness or tingling – Tense muscles may pinch nerves. This can lead to numbness or tingling that radiates from the affected area up to your hands or arms or down to your legs and feet.
- Sharp pain – Sitting up or standing after sitting for a period of time may cause sharp back pain.
- Stiffness – You could feel less flexible. This is because muscle tension often happens after a crash. The stiffness you may be experiencing may subside after stretching or remain constant.
Why Back Pain May Be Delayed
One of the biggest challenges with claims involving back pain is connecting the injury to the accident because symptoms of the injury are often delayed.
Accident victims may not feel much pain afterward and think that they are okay and did not suffer any injuries. They may be feeling startled and shaken up if their bodies are still in fight or flight mode.
However, days or even weeks later, accident victims may start to experience pain in their back and other areas of the body. This is because the adrenaline they were experiencing is no longer hiding their pain.
Victims May Not Seek Treatment Right Away
When accident victims are not in too much pain, they may not seek treatment. Even after experiencing symptoms, victims may avoid going to a doctor because they assume the pain is minor and will ultimately subside on its own. If the pain gets worse, they may only use an ice pack or heating pad for relief.
Delaying treatment can cause an injury to worsen. Even if you think your pain is minor, it is important to seek treatment as soon as you can. It could help you rule out any severe medical issues and possibly shorten your recovery time. You do not want to do anything to make an insurer question your back pain.
Disproving Your Back Pain is Preexisting
If you are pursuing compensation for your back pain, the insurance company may try to deny your claim. They may say that your symptoms are from a preexisting injury. If an insurer asks you for a recorded statement or to sign a medical release form, they will be looking for any information to use against you.
A lawyer can help you gather the evidence needed to show that:
- The other driver’s carelessness caused the crash
- You suffered back pain due to the car accident
- Your damages result from the crash and your back injury
He or she may even use a qualified medical expert to help connect the car accident to your injuries.
Call a Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
If you are suffering from back pain after a car accident, you need an experienced lawyer to protect your best interests and help you pursue maximum compensation for your damages. Our car crash lawyers based in Windsor are here to help. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients.
Greg Monforton & Partners. Free Case Review. Ph: (866) 320-4770