Back Injuries

Understanding Back Injuries From Car Accidents

Back injuries can occur in various ways during car accidents, including:

• Whiplash: This is one of the most common types of back injuries caused by rear-end collisions. Whiplash occurs when the head is forcefully jerked back and forth, straining the muscles and ligaments in the neck and upper back.
• Herniated Discs: The impact of a car accident can cause the discs between the vertebrae in the spine to rupture or slip out of place, leading to severe pain, numbness, and limited mobility.
• Spinal Fractures: High-impact collisions can result in fractures or breaks in the vertebrae, leading to significant back pain and potentially long-term complications.
• Sprains and Strains: The sudden jolt and force of a car accident can strain or sprain the muscles and ligaments in the back, causing pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.

What Are The Most Common Symptoms Of A Back Injury?

Back injuries can cause a wide range of symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of a back injury include:

• Severe pain in the back
• Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
• Weakness in the arms or legs
• Difficulty walking or moving
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blurred vision

If you have suffered a back injury, you should see a doctor right away. Your doctor will be able to tell you if you have suffered a back injury and if you need to seek medical treatment.

Diagnosing A Back Injury From Car Accidents

When it comes to diagnosing back injuries resulting from car accidents, a range of medical tests are available to determine the extent and nature of the injury. These tests play a crucial role in identifying specific conditions and guiding appropriate treatment. X-rays can help show effects on bone structure, and other tests – such as CT scans, MRIs, discograms, myelograms, electromyograms, and bone scans – can confirm the severity of a muscle, tissue, or nerve-related injury.

Who Is Liable for a Car Accident Back Injury?

Determining liability for a car accident back injury depends on various factors and requires a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Some of the most common liable parties include:

• Negligent Drivers: If another driver’s negligence caused the car accident resulting in your back injury, they may be held responsible. Negligent actions can include reckless driving, speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, or violating traffic laws.
• Vehicle Owners: In certain cases, the owner of the vehicle involved in the accident may be held liable for a back injury. This can apply if the owner entrusted their vehicle to an inexperienced or unfit driver or failed to properly maintain the vehicle, leading to a mechanical failure that caused the accident.
• Employers: If the at-fault driver was operating a vehicle as part of their job at the time of the accident, their employer may also bear liability. This is known as “vicarious liability” or “respondeat superior,” where employers can be held responsible for their employees’ actions during the course of employment.
• Government Entities: In some instances, accidents may be caused by hazardous road conditions, inadequate signage, poor road maintenance, or other factors for which government entities may be liable. However, suing government entities typically involves additional legal procedures and limitations.
• Product Manufacturers: If a defect in the vehicle or its components contributed to the accident and subsequent back injury, the manufacturer or distributor of the defective product may be held responsible. This can include defects in brakes, tires, seat belts, or other safety features.

At Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys, our team knows how to investigate a claim and gather the evidence needed to prove liability. We will fight to prove the liable party is responsible for your back injury and should be held accountable. Our team is ready to help you seek justice and obtain fair and just compensation.

How Much Compensation Can I Receive?

You may be able to receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more if you have suffered a back injury. How much compensation you can receive will depend on the specific circumstances of your case.

Georgia law limits non-economic damages to $350,000 in personal injury claims. Non-economic damages include compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other non-monetary losses.

If you have suffered a back injury in a car accident, you should contact our team at (706) 719-7177 to learn more about your legal options.