Back injuries caused by car accidents typically require ongoing and expensive medical treatments and leave their victims facing years of chronic pain and limited mobility. This is because your back was not designed to withstand the force of a vehicle collision. If you have experienced a back injury, such as whiplash or a herniated disc, after an accident, you are not alone. Even a minor crash can have severe repercussions. Back injuries resulting from traffic accidents can vary from a few days of mild discomfort to permanent and life-altering injuries. If you sustained a back injury in a car accident that was not your fault, you could be eligible to collect financial compensation for your damages. The experienced Virginia Beach car accident attorneys at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp can help calculate the value of your claim and determine the most effective legal strategy for recovering full and fair compensation.
Spinal Fractures
Spinal fractures are frequently the outcome of car accidents where the seat belt failed to restrain the victim’s body. This results in the bottom half of the body remaining stationary, but the head and torso being violently jerked around, causing the spine to fracture.
A compression fracture is one of the most common types of spinal fractures. A compression fracture is a small fissure or crack along the vertebrae. Victims may experience pain that increases with movement, a decrease in their height, and an inability to stand up straight. or other symptoms in the area of the compression fracture. Muscle weakness, numbness, and bladder issues may also occur. Spinal fractures are treated based on their severity. Minor fractures usually heal with rest and immobilization, while others may require multiple surgeries.
Herniated Discs
The discs that cushion the individual vertebrae are often subjected to a massive amount of force during an accident. This extreme force can shift the discs, which can compress the nerve bundles causing numbness and pain. This type of injury is referred to as a herniated disc, also called a slipped, ruptured, or bulging disc.
Herniated discs are typically healed through non-invasive treatments, with doctors focusing primarily on physical therapy and pain relief. In cases where the herniation is serious and is affecting other bodily structures, surgery may be required.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis occurs when a stress fracture forces the vertebrae to shift out of place, compressing the spinal canal and nearby nerve bundles. Weakness, numbness, difficulty walking, and pain are often the result.
How a case of spondylolisthesis is treated will depend on where the displaced vertebrae are and the extent to which they are displaced. Physical therapy is a popular treatment option, as is surgery.
Spinal Stenosis
Although car accidents are rarely the direct cause of spinal stenosis, a serious crash can cause someone who has asymptomatic spinal stenosis to begin experiencing symptoms. If your spinal column is getting narrower with age and you have experienced vertebral height degeneration, physical trauma, such as a car accident, could cause you to undergo a range of symptoms several years before you otherwise would. A specialist will be able to determine if the acceleration of your spinal stenosis symptoms was the result of your car accident and go over treatment options with you.
Talk To a Virginia Beach Car Accident Lawyer
A serious back injury can disrupt your daily routine and your ability to work. Back injury victims typically endure a great deal of pain and need to have costly medical treatments in an effort to undo the damage, which can negatively impact not only their finances but their quality of life as well. Fortunately, many victims are able to collect damages relating to their back injury by filing a personal injury lawsuit or an insurance claim, like our client who received a $675,000 settlement after his asymptomatic degenerative spinal disc disease became symptomatic when he was rear-ended by another driver. An experienced Virginia Beach car accident attorney from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp can help you determine the best course of action for your circumstances. If you would like us to review your case, collect evidence that supports your claim, and work to get you maximum compensation for your damages, call us at (833) 997-1774 or fill out this contact form. Our offices are located in Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Hampton.
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For over twenty years, Mr. Sharp's law practice has focused on serious personal injury claims, including traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury claims. He also handles nursing home neglect cases and medical malpractice claims. Mr. Sharp has counseled numerous clients about the complexities concerning litigation of both pediatric and adult brain injury. Mr. Sharp has been awarded the AV Preeminent ranking by Martindale, the highly respected and widely utilized directory of lawyers throughout the world. AV Preeminent status is awarded only to those lawyers who achieve the highest level of success within the legal field and is a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers and Judges rank him at the highest level of professional excellence. He has also been recognized as a "Best Lawyer" by U.S. News for personal injury, an accolade awarded to only a small fraction of lawyers. Mr. Sharp has also been recognized by Super Lawyers as one of the top personal injury lawyers in Virginia. This recognition is awarded only to those lawyers who have achieved the highest level of success and have been recognized by their peers as demonstrating the highest level of professional excellence.
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