Accidents and Back Pain
Car accidents are one of the most common causes of chronic back pain. The impact of the crash, even at relatively slow speeds, is great enough to cause serious back injuries with pain that require medical attention, physical therapy and sometimes even back surgery. Even a minor "fender bender" can cause major back injuries.
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After the Accident
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First, be thankful that you have survived. Automobiles are built to take the punishment associated with a collision; the human body is not. Even if you feel fine, seek medical attention. Symptoms of back injury often appear a day or two after the collision, sometimes even later. Follow your doctor's recommendations as closely as you can. If you file a personal injury case for damages at a later date, the attorney for the liability carrier will scan your medical records for any sign of non-compliance, which can hurt your case.
Don't Underestimate the Damage
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Even in a low-speed collision, especially in a rear-end one, injuries can take weeks or months to heal. Just because the cars involved in the crash have minimal damage does not mean that your body did not sustain injuries that could require medical treatment and result in lost days of work.
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Documentation Is Important
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Keep track of all your doctor visits, time off work for recuperation and medical appointments, prescriptions, medical equipment prescribed by your doctors and especially your accident-related medical bills. It is also a good idea to keep a journal in which you document your day-to-day medical appointments and any pain you are suffering from. Any pictures you have of your damaged vehicle, the accident scene and your injuries might also be helpful.
Effects
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Back pain from automobile accident injuries can continue for years. A back injury that goes untreated can develop into arthritis in later years. If you suffer from acute low back pain, sciatica, numbness in the extremities, headaches, irritability and problems concentrating, you could be making a grave mistake by not seeking medical attention, a mistake that could affect your health for many years to come.
Don't Settle Too Soon
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It is important that you seek treatment for your back injury before you consider settling with the liability insurance company, even though its adjuster could be encouraging you to do so. Although the insurance company might be offering you what sounds like a generous lump sum payment, until you have an accurate picture of what your damages actually are, you should never sign a final settlement agreement. If you have questions, it is always wise to consult an attorney experienced in accident injury claims.
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References
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