If you experience lower back pain following a traffic accident, you should seek medical care as soon as possible. Some injuries require emergency treatment or stabilization to prevent further damage or future complications.
Body pain after a car accident, especially lower back pain, can limit sufferers’ physical activity. You may require medical treatment and miss work. Some people continue to live with chronic pain from car accidents and lower back injuries. You could recover money damages for all these losses.
Lower Back Pain and Injuries Following a Traffic Accident
If you have immediate discomfort or develop low back pain following a traffic collision, it is essential to go to the nearest emergency department or see your doctor as soon as possible. You not only can rule out serious injuries, but you’ll receive an accurate diagnosis and begin treatment quickly.
You could sustain these lower back and lumbar spine injuries in a car crash:
- Fractures
- Sprains and strains
- Spinal stenosis
- Disc injuries
While people generally worry about breaking their back and becoming paralyzed, other injuries to the lower spine and spinal column can cause lasting, chronic pain and inflammation. It is not uncommon to have a chronic pain condition that affects the lower back even without suffering a severe injury in a crash.
Treatment for Your Lower Back Pain Will Depend on the Cause
When you see a doctor, they will likely order X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, and other tests to determine the cause of the pain. These tests allow them to diagnose you, formulate a treatment plan, and begin your care.
The treatment for a lower back injury could include almost anything from emergency surgery to conservative treatment of rest, ice, and heat. Physical therapy, chiropractic therapy, and prescription pain management are other common, non-invasive ways of managing lower back injuries.
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Recoverable Losses and Expenses from Your Crash Claim
If you can prove that another driver caused your accident, you can pursue compensation for the losses and costs you incurred. You would do so by filing a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability policy. You could negotiate a settlement to cover these damages:
- Medical treatment and care costs
- Future care and support
- Any required mobility devices
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Car repair or replacement
- Pain and suffering
Pursuing Financial Recovery Based on Your Car Accident Claim
Most car accident cases do not require the victim to go to trial. Instead, they settle early before the claimant sues, or they reach an agreement pretrial.
When the victim identifies who caused the accident and has evidence to prove it, they can support their insurance claim and demand a just payout from the insurer. The insurance company usually enters settlement negotiations, which could lead to reaching an agreement that compensates the victim fairly.
When the insurer refuses to negotiate in good faith, the claimant can sue the at-fault driver in civil court. Taking legal action does not rule out a settlement, and many cases still settle out of court after filing suit. However, if there is no pretrial settlement, the judge and jury will hear the evidence and rule on a financial award.
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How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help with Your Claim for Damages
If you hire a car accident lawyer to manage your insurance claim, they will handle your entire collision case and fight for an appropriate payout based on the facts of your case. In addition, they will fight to secure compensation for your medical care, chronic pain, and the impacts the accident had on your life.
You can count on your attorney to advocate for you while building a case and navigating the claims process by:
- Investigating the accident and its cause
- Identifying the liable party
- Collecting evidence to support your claim
- Documenting your injuries and damages
- Demanding an appropriate payout based on your injuries and losses
- Negotiating with the insurance company
- Suing the liable party if necessary
You should act quickly after receiving a diagnosis for your injuries. You may only have a short time to sue if that becomes necessary. Deadlines in the Gulf South states vary from one year in Louisiana (La. Civ. Code Art. 3492) to two years in Alabama (Ala. Code § 6-2-38) to three years in Arkansas (Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105) and Mississippi (Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49). Some factors could shorten your deadline considerably as well.
Morris Bart, LLC Helps Car Accident Victims Seek Money Damages
The Morris Bart law firm provides complimentary consultations for traffic accident victims in the areas we serve: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas. We have 15 locations in these four states and handle personal injury claims and lawsuits based on contingency.
Call (800) 537-8185 now to discuss your injuries with an attorney from our team. We can assess and explain your options for seeking compensation.
Questions?Call (800) 537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
