Hawk Law Group | September 4, 2023 | Car Accidents
Car accidents can be life-altering, especially when they result in neck and back injuries. These types of injuries can have long-term, devastating effects on a person’s life. Victims can lose their ability to work, enjoy daily activities, and maintain financial stability.
Suppose you’ve been involved in a car accident in Georgia. It’s vital to understand the types of injuries that can occur, the potential settlements, and the importance of seeking legal advice.
Types of Back and Neck Injuries that Result from Car Accidents
Car accidents can lead to various neck and back injuries. Let’s delve into each type of injury in more detail:
Whiplash
One of the most prevalent injuries to the back and neck resulting from car accidents is whiplash. This type of injury occurs when the head and neck are forced to move in a jerking motion beyond their usual range. Engaging in violent actions can harm the neck’s soft tissues, such as muscles and ligaments. Whiplash often results in debilitating long-term pain.
Symptoms of whiplash can be diverse and delayed. Examples include headaches, neck pain and stiffness, shoulder pain, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. Many cases of whiplash can be treated without surgery. But, severe cases may need physical therapy or surgery.
Herniated Discs
A herniated disc can be painful. The injury is also known as a slipped or ruptured disc.
A herniated disc is a spinal disc injury. The spinal disc acts as a shock absorber for the body and is filled with a gel-like substance. The injury results when the center of a spinal disc is under pressure and bulges out, creating a tear in the disc’s outer wall. The bulging and the tear often irritate nearby nerves, inducing pain and other symptoms.
Individuals with a herniated disc may encounter pain that spreads to the neck and shoulder, numbness or tingling in the legs, and muscle weakness. To determine the best course of treatment, victims may need many specialized tests, including X-rays, MRIs, or CAT scans.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can lead to complete or partial paralysis and cause significant pain. They often result from impact to the neck or back. These injuries range from minor to severe.
Given the gravity of spinal cord injuries, those involved in a car crash should seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of spinal cord damage may include but are not limited to paralysis, numbness, weakness, tingling, and loss of sensation.
Fractured Vertebrae
Fractured vertebrae, or vertebral compression fractures, often occur when the spine’s vertebrae are subjected to extreme force. The impact results in a fracture. Such fractures can cause debilitating pain and have lasting effects. Over a long time, the fractures can lower the range of motion in the neck or back.
Seeking prompt medical attention and legal advice is crucial. Doing so can maximize the chances of receiving fair compensation for injuries and losses after a car accident.
Insurance Company Adjusters and Personal Injury Claims
When filing a claim after a car accident, an insurance company assigns an adjuster to handle the process. It’s essential to remember that insurance adjusters aim to limit the insurance company’s exposure. Because of this, they may offer settlements that do not fully compensate the victim.
In Georgia, insurance coverage may not fully cover the financial losses suffered by a victim of neck or back injuries. Yet, when a victim suffers a serious injury, they may also be eligible to file a claim against the at-fault driver.
Insurance companies may try to shift responsibility to the victim. An experienced personal injury attorney can help a victim face these challenges and advocate for the victim’s rights.
What Damages Can You Recover for Back and Neck Injuries Caused By a Collision in Georgia?
A victim’s financial damages after a car accident can be significant. Economic and non-economic damages can include medical costs, lost wages, long-term care, and pain and suffering. Victims may also seek punitive damages in certain cases, but there are limitations on when they are awarded.
A Georgia Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Negotiate a Fair Settlement for Your Neck and Back Injuries
Car accidents can cause serious neck and back injuries. Settlement amounts vary based on injury severity and the impact on the victim’s life. Victims should seek legal advice to protect their rights and get fair compensation.
Insurance adjusters may offer to settle for far less than what the victim may deserve. An experienced Georgia car accident attorney can negotiate a fair settlement and file a timely lawsuit if necessary.
Contact the Car Accident Lawyers In the Central Savannah River Area at Hawk Law Group for Legal Assistance Today
For more information, please contact the car accident lawyers at Hawk Law Group at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve throughout the Central Savannah River Area and its surrounding areas:
Hawk Law Group – Augusta, GA
338 Telfair St, Augusta, GA 30901, United States
(706) 722 3500
Hawk Law Group – Evans, GA
4384 River Watch Pkwy, Evans, GA 30809, United States
(706) 863 6500
Hawk Law Group – Thomson, GA
146 Railroad St A, Thomson, GA 30824, United States
(706) 361 0350
Hawk Law Group – Waynesboro, GA
827 Liberty St, Waynesboro, GA 30830, United States
(706) 437 9122
Hawk Law Group – Aiken County, SC
156 Laurens St NW, Aiken, SC 29801, United States
(803) 226 9089
We also serve in Edgefield County, SC.
