Back or Spinal Cord Injury
Get a car accident back injury lawyer who can handle your claim
Some of the most serious car accident injuries involve injuries to the back and spine. In an instant, your life can change forever due to a serious back or spinal cord injury sustained in a car accident caused by another driver. When this happens, it’s important that you get the medical care you need to properly treat your injury.
Back Injury Case Results
$372,000 for a car accident back injury victim
$310,000 for a lower back injury victim
Medical expenses can add up fast in such cases. Often, you might not be able to work for several weeks or perhaps ever again due to your injury. You should be focused on getting the best medical treatment possible, not whether you can afford to. That’s our job. That’s why we want to meet with you right away.
Car accident back injury attorney Stephen A. Longo has years of experience working with injury victims and their families. As a result, he and his legal team at The Longo Firm, LLC, in Colorado Springs know how to find the evidence needed to build the strongest possible legal case. That way, you can focus on what matters most – your recovery.
FAQs About Car Accident Back Injuries
- What are common back injuries?
- What are common spinal cord injuries?
- How do I know if I have a back or spinal cord injury?
- How do doctors treat back injuries?
- What is the average back injury settlement for a car crash?
- How much is my injury claim worth?
- Should I accept a settlement for my car accident back injury?
- Can I sue the driver who caused my spinal cord injury?
- How can a car accident back injury lawyer help me?
What are common back injuries?
Back injuries sustained in a car accident can cover a wide range, including:
- Strained back muscles.
- Nerve damage to the back.
- Fractured vertebrae.
- Stress fractures that move the vertebrae out of place, a medical condition known as spondylolisthesis.
Many other types of back injuries are common. In each case, it’s critical that you have your injury identified and treated as soon as possible. That way, you can hopefully fully recover in a timely manner.
What are common spinal cord injuries?
Many back injuries involve injuries to the spine. These are some of the most serious car accident injuries that can result in a permanent disability. This includes paralysis, which can result in the loss of movement below the spinal cord injury.
Depending on the location and severity of the spinal cord injury, victims may have one of the following types of paralysis:
- Partial paralysis, meaning the person can still move parts of their body below the injury location due to an incomplete spinal cord injury.
- Complete paralysis, meaning the person cannot move any part of the body below the injury location since the spinal cord is completely severed. In such cases, there are two, common types of complete paralysis:
- Paraplegia (paralysis of the legs and lower part of the body, meaning the person can still move their arms)
- Tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia (paralysis from the neck down, meaning the person cannot move their legs or arms)
Every spinal cord injury is different. No two are ever exactly the same. That’s why it’s important that your injury is properly diagnosed right away. That way, you can receive the medical treatment need for your specific injury.
How do I know if I have a back or spinal cord injury?
The only way to know for sure if you have a back or spinal cord injury, along with the severity of your injury, is to have an experienced doctor diagnose exactly what’s wrong. Medical professionals often use a wide range of medical tests to determine if you have an injury to your back or spine. Such diagnostic tests often include X-Rays and MRIs.
It’s also important to pay attention to possible symptoms or warning signs of a serious back injury. Such symptoms often include:
- Severe back pain.
- Numbness or loss of feeling in certain parts of your body.
- Difficulty walking or standing up.
- Difficulty breathing or pain in the chest when breathing.
You know your body best. If something doesn’t feel right, seek immediate medical attention, including even going to a hospital emergency room right away if you suspect you have a spinal cord injury. Such injuries can be life threatening and sometimes require immediate medical care.
How do doctors treat back injuries?
Medical care for back injuries caused by car crashes can cover a wide range. Some treatments can be simple and straightforward. Others might be more complicated or long-term. Depending on what type of back injury you sustained, and the severity of your injury, medical treatments can include:
- Rest and relaxation to give your injured back muscles time to recover.
- Ice and heat applied to sore and injured back muscles.
- Physical therapy designed to rebuild strength and improve flexibility.
- Prescription medications to control back pain that lingers after the crash.
- Spinal injections that target damaged nerves or inflamed tissue.
- Braces or supports to help stabilize the back and allow proper healing.
- Back surgery for bone fractures, herniated discs, or other severe back or spinal cord injuries.
Back injuries should always be taken seriously. Recovery often takes time, and in some cases the effects can last a lifetime. Following through with every step of treatment is critical for your health and your legal case. The sooner you get the medical care you need, the stronger your case for maximum financial compensation.
What is the average back injury settlement for a car crash?
There is no such thing as an average settlement for a back injury claim. Every case is different, and the amount you receive depends on the details of your crash and the extent of your injury. Some claims may be resolved for a smaller amount, while others may be worth much more.
Insurance companies often claim to look at the cost of your medical care, the income you lost while recovering, and whether you will need ongoing treatment in the future. They may also consider how much your injury has affected your ability to live your life. But in reality, most insurance companies offer far less money than what your back injury claim is really worth.
That’s why it’s important not to assume your case is like anyone else’s. Settlements for back injuries can vary widely. Before accepting any settlement offer, talk to a back injury lawyer who understands these cases and can calculate the true value of your claim. That way, you can demand the money you rightfully deserve.
How much is my injury claim worth?
There’s no set dollar amount when it comes to spinal cord injury claims. However, the financial impact of a back injury can often be much higher than other claims due to the severity of your injuries. What matters most is you should be paid for all your accident-related expenses, now and in the future. Such expenses can include:
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs.
- Emergency medical care.
- Surgical procedures.
- Follow-up doctor’s appointments.
- Physical therapy.
- Follow-up surgery.
- Prescription pain medications.
- Home modifications due to a permanent disability, including paralysis.
- In-home medical care in certain circumstances.
- Replacement income if you cannot work while you’re recovering from your injury.
- Lost future income if you cannot return to work due to a permanent disability.
The stakes are high in many back injury cases. Insurance companies know this. That’s why they often do everything they can to reduce or deny claims involving back or spinal cord injuries.
It is critical that you have an experienced attorney on your side. Your lawyer can find evidence demonstrating the other driver was at fault, which is essential for obtaining compensation in states with a fault-based insurance system. Colorado and Arizona, for example, have such a system, which requires the at-fault party (which is often the at-fault driver’s insurance company) to compensate injury victims.
Should I accept a settlement for my car accident back injury?
Insurance companies often move fast to make a settlement offer after a serious back injury caused by a car crash. The money may seem appealing, especially if you are facing large medical bills and cannot work. But these first offers are usually designed to save the insurance company money, not to cover all of your expenses.
And once you accept a settlement, that’s it. Your case is settled. Even if you need more money in the future, you cannot go back and ask for additional compensation months or years later. That means if your condition gets worse or you need more medical care in the future, you could be stuck paying out of pocket. This is why many initial offers are risky for injured drivers.
So what should you do? Before you sign anything, have a car accident injury lawyer review any settlement offers you receive. Your attorney can calculate what your case is really worth and negotiate for an amount that fully protects you. Accepting too little too soon could leave you without the financial resources you need to move forward.
Can I sue the driver who caused my spinal cord injury?
Yes. If another driver’s reckless behavior caused your spinal cord injury, you have the right to take legal action. A lawsuit may be necessary if the insurance company refuses to pay what you deserve or denies responsibility altogether. Suing the driver can give you a chance to pursue full compensation for your losses.
Filing a lawsuit allows you to present evidence of how the crash happened and how your life has been changed. This could include medical records, testimony from doctors, and proof of lost income. It also gives you the ability to ask for damages (compensation for financial losses) related to pain, suffering, and permanent disability.
Spinal cord injuries often have lifelong consequences. If you are left with paralysis or ongoing pain, you cannot afford to settle for less than what your case is worth. A car accident spinal cord injury lawsuit may be the best way to hold the at-fault driver accountable and secure the resources you need for your future.
How can a car accident back injury lawyer help me?
Handling a back injury case on your own can feel overwhelming. Insurance companies are focused on protecting their bottom line, not your future. Having a lawyer on your side levels the playing field and ensures your case is taken seriously. A skilled attorney can:
- Investigate your crash to uncover evidence that proves fault.
- Collect medical records and expert testimony to support your claim.
- Negotiate directly with the insurance company for a fair settlement.
- File a lawsuit on your behalf seeking damages (financial compensation).
- Make sure all legal paperwork and deadlines are handled properly.
- Represent you in court if necessary.
With the right attorney on your side, you don’t have to face the insurance company alone. Your lawyer can fight for the money you need to pay your bills, replace lost income, and move forward with your life. Having a strong legal advocate in your corner gives you peace of mind and the best chance for justice.
Take a stand after your accident. Contact us.
Don’t underestimate the complexity of your legal case. If you don’t take a stand, you could end up having to pay for your accident-related expenses out of your own pocket, even though you didn’t do anything wrong.
Car accident back injury attorney Stephen Longo knows how to handle tough legal cases. He thrives on fighting for injury victims and making sure their rights are respected. You can count on him to always put your best interests first. If you have a question about your case, you can call attorney Longo directly anytime on his personal phone. We work this way because we believe we should be accessible on your terms.
Get the law firm that gets results. Contact us and schedule your free case evaluation. We can meet with you in our office, your hospital room, your home or wherever’s convenient for you. You decide. We’re simply here to help you get your life back on track after your back or spinal cord injury.