Victorville Neck and Back Injury Lawyer

Many common accidents, such as car crashes, slips or falls, and workplace mishaps, can result in an injury to your neck or back. Sometimes, these injuries involve fractures that show up on imaging studies, but when the injury is primarily to the soft tissue—muscles, tendons, and ligaments—it may not be diagnosable through standard imaging techniques.

When your injury forces you to seek medical treatment, lose time at work, or impairs your quality of life, you deserve compensation through a catastrophic injury claim. A Victorville head and neck injury lawyer knows how to address any insurance company objections to your claim and ensure you receive the reimbursement you deserve.

Common Types of Neck and Back Injuries

Because the back and neck support the body and provide the structure for people to carry themselves upright, any injuries in these locations can have devastating consequences. Some back and neck injuries are permanent, some heal in time but cause significant disability until healed, and others might result in nagging, persistent symptoms.

Treatment for neck and back injuries is usually conservative, involving rest, heat, physical therapy, and sometimes bracing. When the injury is severe or conservative measures do not result in relief, surgery is sometimes necessary. A Victorville lawyer could ensure that compensation is adequate to cover all the losses associated with the neck or back injury.

Broken Back

A fracture of one or more of the spinal vertebrae is a broken back. Although it is a serious injury, it is treatable and does not necessarily lead to permanent disability. Vehicle crashes, falls from a height, diving accidents, and other sports injuries are common causes of fractured vertebrae. An X-ray can detect a fractured vertebra, and other imaging studies may reveal the extent of the damage to surrounding tissues.

Herniated Disk

This condition is also called a slipped disk, pinched nerve, or ruptured disk. Hard-shelled discs in between the vertebrae cushion them and the spinal column. When one of these disks becomes inflamed or injured, it can put pressure on the nerves of the spinal column and cause severe pain and limited mobility. When the herniated disk affects the sciatic nerve, it could cause sciatica. Herniated disks are visible on MRI scans.

Neck Hyperextension (Whiplash)

When the upper body is subjected to sudden force or violent movement, the neck can hyperextend, a condition commonly called whiplash. Whiplash can limit mobility and cause pain in the neck, severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, and other debilitating symptoms. Whiplash is not visible on x-ray or other imaging studies.

Addressing Insurance Skepticism of a Neck or Back Injury

Anyone seeking compensation after an injury must establish a direct connection between it and the other party’s negligence. Furthermore, they must prove that the injury caused the damages they claim.

Some back and neck injuries are not visible on imaging tests, although a doctor might order several imaging tests to rule out other possible causes of the patient’s symptoms. When a physician must rely on the patient’s report of symptoms to establish a diagnosis, insurers often question whether it exists or is causing harm. To further complicate matters, many neck and back injuries do not cause immediate symptoms, and a person might think an accident did not cause any injuries until their symptoms appear several days later.

Anyone suffering a neck or back injury should seek medical treatment as soon as they experience symptoms. When they recently fell or were in a vehicle accident, they should inform their doctor. It is important for the injured person to strictly follow medical advice, keep all medical appointments, and maintain a diary or journal describing their daily symptoms and the impact they have on their life. A Victorville attorney could present the medical record and injured person’s journal as evidence of their neck and back injury.

Act Quickly to Preserve Rights

California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1 allows an injured person two years to file a lawsuit against a negligent party. Although two years might seem like a significant period, it is unwise to wait. Consulting a Victorville attorney soon after a neck or back injury diagnosis has several benefits.

A legal professional could investigate the incident that caused the injury to identify whose negligence played a role. Waiting could make it harder to pinpoint the acts of negligence that led to the injury.

When an injured person does not have legal representation, insurance companies sometimes take advantage. They might offer them a quick settlement for far less than the claim merits. When the injured person has an attorney, all communication must go through them, and the insurance company is forced to negotiate in good faith.

Pursue a Back or Neck Injury Claim with a Victorville Attorney

If you sustained a neck or back injury in an accident, you probably experienced substantial pain, limited movement, and other symptoms. You deserve compensation for your losses.

Insurers often resist paying appropriate damages for these injuries, so working with an experienced attorney is essential. Contact a Victorville neck and back injury lawyer today to discuss your case.