How Should I Handle Back Pain After a Car Accident in Ft. Lauderdale?

If you or someone you love has been involved in a traffic collision in Ft. Lauderdale, you may be uncertain about what steps to take next. It can be even more confusing and upsetting if you are experiencing back pain after the accident. 

When you are injured because of another person’s actions, you have the legal right to pursue financial compensation for any associated losses. With the help of a personal injury attorney, you may be able to get the money you need to move forward. 

So what should you do if you have back pain after a car crash in Ft. Lauderdale? Read on to find out. 

While your first priority should be your own health and safety, you should also contact a skilled legal professional as soon as possible. The sooner you begin the process of seeking financial recovery, the better. 

The accomplished attorneys at Morgan & Morgan have the specialized knowledge and experience to effectively fight for our clients. We proudly serve car accident victims in the Ft. Lauderdale area. 

Our compassionate attorneys understand that back injury victims face many financial difficulties. Because of this, our firm offers new clients a free case evaluation. 

Fill out the easy-to-use contact form on the Morgan & Morgan website to schedule your no-obligation free consultation today.

Understanding Back Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

Traffic collisions happen every day in the state of Florida. Back injuries are one of the most common outcomes of motor vehicle accidents. 

Even crashes that happen at low speeds can result in significant damage to victims’ backs. When a driver or passenger is subjected to the jarring force of a collision, back injuries become highly likely. 

The results can be devastating no matter what type of back damage a victim sustains. Even minor back injuries can cause long-term medical issues. 

If you are experiencing back pain in the wake of a car accident in Ft. Lauderdale, it is critical to seek medical and legal advice quickly. Every traffic collision involves a distinct set of circumstances.

Still, some types of back injuries are more common than others after a Ft. Lauderdale car crash. Some of the typical causes of back pain for traffic accident victims include:

Thoracic Spine Damage

The name for the upper part of the spinal column is the “thoracic vertebrae.” Those injuries that involve the upper back tend to be more serious than other back damage.  

The ribs connect to the thoracic spine. When a victim sustains damage to this area, they may suffer long-lasting or permanent nerve damage. 

If you feel upper back discomfort after a car accident, it is critical to speak with a medical professional. Thoracic spinal damage is especially common in high-velocity car crashes.

Lumbar Spinal Injury

The five largest vertebrae in the spine make up the “lumbar region,” or lower back. The lumbar region also contains the largest muscles in the back.  

When a car accident victim suffers a lumbar sprain or strain, they often experience severe back pain. Strains happen when the tendons or muscles in the back are overextended as the result of an impact. 

Sprains involve damage to the ligaments. Lumbar sprains and strains can result in a limited range of motion for the victim and significant lower back pain.

Herniated Discs

Spinal discs are rings of soft tissue that separate the vertebrae in the spine. Some victims of car accidents suffer herniated discs following their collision. 

Herniated discs happen when a spinal disc slips out of place. When a disc is displaced, it may place pressure on the nerves and surrounding spinal tissue. 

Because of the physical nature of these injuries, victims often experience intense and sudden back discomfort. Sometimes, herniated discs also cause nerve damage that leads to numbness or tingling in the legs. 

Herniated discs require medical treatment. If you have felt lower back pain after a car crash, do not hesitate. Contact a medical professional as quickly as possible.

Common Symptoms of Car Accident Back Injuries 

When you have suffered a back injury from a traffic accident, you may experience a wide range of symptoms. Even if you only feel minor back discomfort, it is critical to seek a medical assessment.

Some victims of collisions experience symptoms immediately after the incident. In other cases, the signs of a back injury do not appear for days or weeks. 

Some of the most common symptoms of a car-accident-related back injury include: 

• Pain in the upper back
• Pain in the lower back
• Weakness in the limbs
• Persistent headaches
• Stiffness
• Decreased range of motion
• Muscle spasms in the back
• Numbness or tingling in the limbs
• Difficulty walking or standing for extended periods 

Some victims presume that back discomfort will resolve without medical treatment. This is often untrue. 

Even minor physical damage can lead to long-lasting back discomfort and chronic mobility limitations. That is why you should seek medical attention as soon as possible after a Ft. Lauderdale car crash.

What to Do After a Back Injury in Ft. Lauderdale

In the moments following a car accident, most people feel overwhelmed and confused. This is especially true if you have been injured in the crash. 

If you feel pain in your back after an auto accident, do not hesitate. Seek a medical assessment immediately. 

This is important for multiple reasons. First, medical care will give you the highest chance of making a full recovery from your injury. 

Second, seeking medical treatment will serve as evidence that you are taking your back injury seriously. Medical records will function as valuable evidence in any resulting legal claim. 

A physician will be able to diagnose the cause of your back discomfort and recommend appropriate treatments. In many instances, a doctor will use medical scans to diagnose your condition. These might include: 

• X-Rays
• CT scans
• Myelograms
• Bone scans
• MRIs

Many types of soft tissue injuries will not appear on these scans. However, a trained medical professional will provide you with clear guidance about treating your back injury. 

Some back injuries resolve in a short amount of time with proper treatment. Others require long-term medical care, including:

• Prescription pain medication
• Injections to stem inflammation
• Physical therapy
• Chiropractic medical care

In some instances, back injuries require a surgical response. This is most common in the case of injuries that involve pressure to the spinal cord or nerves.

No matter what treatment your back injury requires, it is critical to seek medical care as soon as possible. Waiting to seek treatment may result in more severe and long-lasting back discomfort.

What Compensation Can I Recover From a Ft. Lauderdale Traffic Accident Claim?

If another person’s reckless behavior caused you to sustain a back injury, you have the legal right to pursue financial recovery for the associated harm. You should not have to pay for the personal and financial damage that another person caused. 

That is why you should consult with a knowledgeable accident lawyer as soon as possible after your traffic accident. A skilled tort attorney will review the facts of your Ft. Lauderdale accident and build a strong case on your behalf. 

The term for financial payments from a civil legal claim is “damages.” A trustworthy Florida tort attorney will fight for the maximum amount of damages possible in your case. 

Most injury victims wonder about the types of compensation that they can recover through a legal claim. Like most tort cases, Ft. Lauderdale motor vehicle collision claims typically involve two primary categories of compensation. 

These categories are “economic” and “non-economic” damages. 

Understanding Economic Damages

Economic damages are payments made to the victim by the at-fault party. These damages may be awarded following a trial or may be paid as the result of a settlement. 

Economic damages are meant to compensate the injury victim for their accident-related financial expenses. 

Some of the most common examples of economic damages include payments for:

• Current and past medical bills
• Anticipated future medical expenses and needs
• Property damage, including vehicular repair or replacement
• Loss of income and wages caused by missed work
• Long-term reductions to the victim’s earning potential
• Medical travel­, including ambulance rides
• In-home care, if necessary

Any type of financial loss resulting from the crash can be recovered through economic damages. A trained personal injury lawyer can help victims accurately calculate appropriate economic damages in their case.

Understanding Non-Economic Damages

Some of the most devastating outcomes from a Ft. Lauderdale car crash do not involve financial losses. Injured persons usually suffer more than just physical damage from their accident. The personal, physical, and emotional tolls that injuries take can be overwhelming for victims. 

Non-economic damages are payments to the victim to compensate them for these intangible types of harm. Some of the most typical examples of non-economic damages include payments for: 

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional turmoil and anguish
• Depression, anxiety, and panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Inability to enjoy life
• Embarrassment
• Ostracization 
• Disfigurement
• Permanent or temporary disability 

In many instances, collision injuries can be fatal. When this happens in the state of Florida, the decedent’s estate holders have the right to file a legal claim. 

Through a wrongful death claim, the survivors can recover compensation on behalf of the victim. Estate holders can also seek damages for their own pain and suffering, as well as funeral and burial costs. 

Most accident victims underestimate the value of their traffic collision claim. To calculate the appropriate amount of damages in your case, speak with a knowledgeable Florida tort lawyer.  

The accomplished legal experts at Morgan & Morgan understand what it takes to effectively recover compensation for our clients. Because of our impressive success rate, our clients know that their car crash cases are in good hands. 

It is critical to hold negligent parties accountable for the harm that they cause. Reach out to Morgan & Morgan to discuss your Ft. Lauderdale collision case today.