A victim’s back, lower back, neck and spinal cord are all at risk of injury in a car accident. Back injuries have the potential to be debilitating long after a crash. Some victims will struggle with the aftereffects of a spinal injury for the rest of their lives. Knowing how to seek fair and full financial compensation for your spinal cord injury after a car accident in California is critical.
Back Injuries Often Caused By Car Accidents
The force of a motor vehicle collision could lead to blunt-force trauma against the spine or a penetrating spinal cord injury that causes severe harm. Common back injuries include herniated disks, pinched nerves, fractured vertebrae, cervical spine injuries (e.g., whiplash) and lower back injuries. If the spinal cord sustains a serious injury, the victim could suffer permanent paralysis from the point of injury down.
Types of Damages Available for Back Injuries After a Car Crash
Back injuries are one of the most expensive injuries in Orange County car accidents. A plethora of costs are associated with the average spinal cord injury, from appointments with an orthopedic spine surgeon to long-term disability accommodations. In California, a successful car accident claim can reimburse a variety of losses caused by a back injury.
Economic Damages
In California, when someone is at fault for causing a car accident, that person or party can be held liable or financially accountable for a victim’s injuries. The victim has the right to file an insurance claim or back injury lawsuit against the liable party in pursuit of damages.
The first category is economic damages. These pay for the financial losses suffered by the back injury victim, such as:
- Medical costs (present and future)
- X-rays, CT scans and MRIs
- Surgeries and other treatments
- Prescription medications
- Medical devices
- Follow-up care
- Disability accommodations
- Lost wages from missed work
- Lost future earning potential due to a permanent disability
- Property damage and out-of-pocket costs
Collecting fair compensation for the economic damages you have suffered because of a back injury requires evidence, such as clear medical records, hospital bills, pay stubs and proof of disability.
Non-Economic Damages
Compensation for a back injury can also make up for the non-economic damages caused, known collectively as “pain and suffering.” This damage category can be substantial in a severe spine injury case where the victim has suffered permanent harm.
Non-economic damages may be awarded for:
- Physical pain, including chronic pain
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of quality or enjoyment of life
- Loss of independence
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Depression or anxiety
- Loss of consortium
Pain and suffering damages can dramatically increase the final value of a back injury settlement following a car accident. However, you may need help from an Orange County accident attorney to prove and demonstrate these “invisible” losses to a judge or jury and achieve a fair case result.
The Importance of Legal Representation for a Back Injury Claim
The decision of whether or not to hire an attorney for your back injury claim as a car accident victim is a critical one. The right lawyer can be instrumental in helping you achieve a settlement that fully reimburses you for your losses, which may be considerable.
A car accident attorney will make sure your back injury claim is properly valued. Your lawyer will protect you from insurance company tactics by taking over settlement negotiations for you. If necessary, your lawyer can represent you during a car accident trial to seek maximum compensation for significant losses.
To discuss a recent car accident with a knowledgeable attorney, contact Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian. We offer free consultations and don’t charge any attorney’s fees unless we win.