Where Should I Go For Back Pain After a Car Accident in Indianapolis?

According to the Indiana University Public Policy Institute, over 46,000 individuals were hurt in car crashes in Indiana in 2019. Many of these accidents involved driver negligence, such as alcohol intoxication, speeding, or distracted driving. 

If you experience back pain after a car crash, consulting with a doctor is essential for ruling out a more severe injury and starting medical treatment right away. However, seeking legal advice after a crash can be just as important. 

Our Indianapolis car accident attorneys can help you determine what to do next as you could be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, income loss, and other damages. Morgan & Morgan can move forward with a claim if you suffer from back pain after a car accident. You only pay if we win and recover compensation for you. Contact us today for a free consultation to determine whether you qualify for damages. 

Symptoms to Look Out for After a Car Accident in Indianapolis

No matter how insignificant it might seem, any symptom of back pain could point to a significant injury. Back injuries could cause the following signs and symptoms, among others: 

• Pain radiating down the buttocks and into the legs
• Numbness and tingling in limbs
• Stiffness
• Pain in the general back and neck area
• Difficulty standing or walking
• Muscle spasms

According to a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), back pain is a common reason for missing work and the second most common cause of disability. If you experience any type of pain, discomfort, or other symptoms in your back area after an accident, seek medical advice as soon as possible. 

Common Back Injuries After Car Accidents

Back pain after a car accident may be harmless and could resolve on its own. However, consider seeing a doctor if you experience any symptoms, as pain after a crash could be due to any of these common and potentially severe injuries:

Slipped or Herniated Discs

Herniated or slipped discs frequently cause lower back pain after a car crash. When healthy, discs cushion the vertebrae. However, this cushioning effect is lost when a disc is pushed outside the spine due to accident trauma. A slipped disc can lead to pressure on the spinal cord and close-by nerves. While not all herniated discs cause symptoms, an individual with a herniated disc could experience severe lower back pain and numbness. 

Spinal Cord Damage

Spinal cord injuries from car accidents can be catastrophic and cause permanent disability. In a serious car crash, the spinal cord can get bruised, damaged, or severed. Injuries could result in permanent paralysis below the area where the spinal cord is damaged. 

Fractures

Due to the force of impact during a collision, fractures in the back region can be common. Tiny cracks and fissures in vertebrae, so-called compression fractures, can be caused by severe pressure and trauma in an accident. While minor bone fractures of the spine can get better with time and rest, more severe fractures may require significant surgical intervention. An untreated spinal fracture could lead to permanent nerve damage, spinal cord injury, and paralysis.

Soft-Tissue Injuries

Strains, sprains, and other soft-tissue injuries in the back region can be common car accident injuries. Injuries to tendons, muscles, and ligaments can cause severe pain, stiffness, and excruciating muscle spasms. While most soft-tissue injuries heal with rest and medication, individuals may be off work for weeks or even months with a significant injury.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a widespread soft-tissue injury in car accidents, often occurring even in minor rear-end crashes due to the forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck and head. While whiplash usually goes away with rest, time, and medication, severe whiplash can cause chronic pain and loss of motion.  

Where You Should Go After Injuring Your Back

Think about protecting your health and legal rights if you experience back pain after a car accident. Even a minor back injury can lead to steep medical bills, wage loss, and out-of-pocket expenses. If someone else caused your accident and injury, they should make you “whole” again and pay for your expenses. Seeking medical and legal advice can be your best next steps for getting what you deserve if another caused your back pain. 

Contact Law Enforcement

If a police officer attended your accident, they would have made an accident report, including all important crash details. However, if there were no police at the scene and you later developed pain, you should file an accident report immediately. 

In Indiana, you have ten days to report a car accident to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. It is important to note that anyone involved in a car accident is legally required to report a car accident with injuries, fatalities, or car damage totaling more than $1000.

Seek Medical Assistance as Soon as Possible 

If you were injured in a car accident or experienced pain in your back in the days following the crash, seek medical help promptly. Left untreated, back injuries can worsen significantly and lead to chronic pain and disability. Your doctor can evaluate and diagnose your injuries and develop a treatment plan. 

Moreover, you will receive a medical report which is essential evidence if you later want to file an insurance claim or lawsuit and hold the responsible party to account. Waiting too long to seek medical help can cause problems when you later wish to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver. 

Consult With a Car Accident Attorney

Insurance companies often reduce, delay, or deny claims. Consulting with a car accident lawyer early on in the process can help you receive an adequate settlement. Morgan & Morgan’s car accident lawyers know how to negotiate effectively with insurance companies and, if necessary, can file a lawsuit to get what you deserve. First consultations are free and allow you to learn about your rights and determine the best course of action.

You Could File a Lawsuit for Back Injury Compensation

An accident injury can change your entire life. While back discomfort after an accident may seem harmless at first, it could be connected to a significant underlying injury and result in high medical bills, loss of wages, and other unexpected expenses. Victims can also suffer from ongoing pain and anguish due to an accident and back injury. Back injuries can cause long-term mobility issues and prevent individuals from working or enjoying their usual hobbies and activities. 

If this has happened to you, and the other driver’s insurance company is denying you adequate compensation, you could file a personal injury lawsuit and fight for what you need to rebuild your life. 

Back Pain Compensation 

Compensation for back pain and back injuries can depend on various factors, such as the severity of your injury and pain. Usually, those with more extensive or permanently disabling injuries qualify for higher settlement amounts. The types of damages you could seek after a car accident include: 

• Healthcare costs and future estimated costs
• Transport expenses
• Car repair or replacement
• Adjustments to your vehicle or home
• Household assistance
• Lost wages and estimated future loss of income
• Awards for physical and emotional pain

Depending on your specific accident and injuries, you could also receive various other damages.