How Do You Sue for Chronic Back Pain Caused in a Car Accident?

September 13, 2019 | Catastrophic Injuries

Motor vehicle accidents can cause life-altering injuries that can affect many parts of a victim’s everyday life. The human back consists of several ligaments, bones, and muscles that are connected to other parts of the body, such as the neck and chest, and functions associated with these areas. Some back injuries, such as minor sprains and muscle pulls can heal in weeks, leaving behind no lasting damage, but in severe cases, such as fractures, this could cause chronic back pain. If you suffered a back injury in an accident and are struggling with chronic back pain, you could be eligible to sue and recover damages with a chronic back injury claim in Missouri.

Common Car Accidents That Cause Chronic Back Pain

Car accidents occur suddenly and without notice, yet the impact can be severe and cause serious and permanent harm to those involved. According to statistics, 80% of adults suffer lower back pain at least once in their life, which makes the odds of experiencing chronic back pain after a car accident more likely. The most common types of car accidents in Missouri that cause or contribute to chronic upper or lower back pain include:

  • Rear-end accidents – whiplash injuries are one of the most commonly reported damages in motor vehicle crashes. Whiplash from a rear-end accident can range in severity, and heal in a matter of weeks, or cause more permanent lumbar and spinal cord injuries
  • Head-on collisions – if a car hits another vehicle head-on or strikes an immobile object, the force of the collision could cause dashboard injuries, loss of consciousness, and other injuries
  • Sideswipe accidents – displaced disks or chest fractures, which are typically caused in high-impact crashes, can cause chronic nerve or muscle damage
  • Multi-vehicle collisions – accidents involving three or more vehicles can cause head injuries, neck injuries, and spine injuries, which often require surgery or ongoing treatment. In the most severe cases, multi-car accidents can lead to paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, and other permanent damage

Back injuries caused during car accidents don’t always immediately present themselves and symptoms can be delayed. Sometimes, a strained muscle or bone fracture can start as a backache, but without treatment, minor back injuries can manifest into more severe, persistent injuries that can prevent victims from working and enjoying activities that they once enjoyed due to chronic pain. After an accident, the first thing that you need to do is seek immediate medical attention and document any back injuries that might have been caused in the crash. Generally, x-rays, CT scans, bone scans, and other tests are performed when diagnosis injuries from an accident. After getting medical treatment, it’s essential to file a police report and consult a Missouri Back Injury Lawyer about your situation.

Chronic Back Injury Claim After Car Accident

While it’s important to identify injuries after a crash, chronic back pain doesn’t tend to present itself until weeks or months after an accident. Even if you think it’s been too long since the accident to file a back injury claim in Missouri, or aren’t sure if you qualify for compensation, it’s essential to gather proof of your injuries (ongoing medical reports, proof of treatment) and speak with an experienced attorney about filing a back injury claim in St. Louis.

Missouri’s Statute of Limitations allows injury victims to file claims within five years of an accident (two years from the date of workplace accidents), and with substantial documentation of the accident, the victim’s injuries, and proof of the other party’s carelessness, in most cases, victims can sue the other party for complete reimbursement of damages linked to chronic back pain from the accident.

Typically, in regards to chronic back pain claims in Missouri, victims can recover compensation for present and future damages from the accident, such as medical expenses (therapy, medication, medical accessories, and other items required to treat the victim’s chronic damages), pain and suffering (mental or emotional distress, such as PTSD, depression, or anxiety linked to the accident), and lost wages (due to missing work while recovering, no longer being able to perform the daily functions of the victim’s job as a result of chronic back pain).

Speak with a St. Louis Back Injury Lawyer Now

If you or someone you love suffered chronic back sprains and strains, spinal cord injuries, or other injuries in an accident, and now struggles with the lumbar, disk, or other types of chronic back pain, you could be entitled to compensation. Many settlements involving chronic back pain include compensation for present and future damages, such as ongoing pain medication, chiropractic treatment, and other damages.

Christopher Dixon and the Missouri Back Pain After Car Accident Lawyers at the Dixon Injury Firm understand the level of stress that living with chronic injuries can place on victims and their families. Our attorneys are committed to recovering full compensation for back injury victims, including present and future damages, and are always available to offer support during this process. Chris Dixon’s efforts have been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Association as a “Top 100 Trial Lawyer,” and have recovered upwards of $35,000,000 in settlements and recoveries for injury claims in Missouri.

If you have chronic back pain after a car accident in Missouri and are ready to get compensation for your harm and losses caused by a negligent driver, call (314) 208-2808 or contact the St. Louis Back Injury Lawyers at the Dixon Injury Firm to discuss your situation and sue for chronic back pain caused in a Missouri car accident today.