At the Green Law Firm, P.C., we stand up for victims of car-related back injuries. Our experienced team of Colorado Springs back injury lawyers knows how to navigate the intricate laws surrounding personal injury cases, ensuring that you receive the justice and compensation you deserve. Whether your back injury resulted from a minor fender-bender or a major collision, we understand the significant physical, emotional, and financial toll it can take on your life. Our dedicated team will provide you with aggressive legal representation, paired with a compassionate understanding of the hardships you’re facing. We’re committed to helping you recover, while we fight for your rights and hold the negligent parties accountable. Contact us today for your free consultation.
Back injuries are some of the worst and most common sources of chronic pain. The massive forces generated during a car accident can be enough to tear apart soft tissue and shatter bone.
Life-altering back injuries are often the result of serious car accidents. Even minor accidents can cause injuries. Sometimes after a car accident, people may not realize they have been injured because the onset of pain can be delayed.
What are Colorado Springs Car Accident Related Back Injuries?
The back and spinal column are an intricate source of interconnected and overlapping elements, and an aggravation of or injury to any of these delicate structures can cause extreme back pain and, subsequently, pain that radiates or affects other parts of the body. Discomfort from resultant lower back muscles spasms can be severe, and pain from a number of issues can be chronic. Back injuries can vary widely in severity, from minor sprains and strains to severe spinal cord injuries that result in permanent disability.
Some Common Car Accident Related Back Injuries and Their Symptoms
While back pain after a car accident is extremely common, the symptoms and severity of the pain can vary widely. In fact, the back is the most common site of car accident injuries, including whiplash, upper back injuries, sprains, strains, herniated discs, spinal cord injuries, spinal fractures, and soft tissue injuries.
Even though serious back injuries can take some time to show up after an accident, they may become a source of chronic pain leading to loss of mobility and inability to work or enjoy hobbies.
- Whiplash
- A common injury in rear-end collisions
- Occurs when the head and neck are abruptly jerked back and forth
- Primarily affects the neck, but can also cause pain and injury in the upper back
- Thoracic Spine Injuries (Upper Back)
- Among the most serious of back injuries
- Generally result from high-velocity car accidents
- Sprains and fractures in this region can result in permanent nerve damage
- Lumbar Spine Injuries
- This area contains the strongest muscles and the largest vertebrae which all provide support for the spine
- Sprains and strains to this area can be especially painful
- Damage or excessive stretching of the ligaments, tendons, and muscles result in limited movement, swelling, bruising, tenderness, and can dramatically impact your ability to carry out daily activities
- Herniated or Slipped Disc
- Discs cushion and separate the vertebrae and protect the spine
- When a disc is displaced, it becomes slipped, or herniated
- Herniated discs result in added pressure on the spinal cord or its surrounding nerves
- The most commonly reported symptoms are sudden and intense pain in the lower back, numbness in the legs, and weakness in the back and limbs.
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- The most serious back injuries involve the spinal cord
- Injuries range from bruising or excessive pressure to permanent damage to the spinal cord and nerves, leading to long-term disability
- Injuries often result in partial or total paralysis, loss of feeling in specific areas of the body, and loss of reflex function
- Secondary medical problems can result, such as blood clots, bleeding, pneumonia, leaking of spinal fluids, and post-surgical infections
- Spinal Fractures
- The force of a collision can fracture and break the vertebrae in the spine
- Common symptoms are severe back pain and limited mobility
- In the most severe cases, fragments of the broken vertebrae can damage the spinal cord, potentially leading to nerve damage, paralysis, or other serious complications.
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- These include damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the back that supports the spine
- Results from the sudden, forceful impact of a car accident, which can stretch or tear these tissues
- Symptoms include pain swelling, stiffness, and limited mobility due to sprains, strains and contusions (bruises)
Common Causes of Colorado Springs Car Accident-Related Back Injuries
Car accident-related back injuries can occur due to a variety of scenarios. Some of the most common causes we see at the Green Law Firm P.C. include:
- Rear-End Collisions: These accidents often result in whiplash, which can lead to back injuries. The sudden forward and backward motion can strain muscles and ligaments in the back.
- Head-On Collisions: The direct impact and sudden deceleration in head-on collisions can lead to serious injuries, including spinal cord damage, herniated discs, and spinal fractures.
- T-Bone or Side-Impact Crashes: In these accidents, the side of a vehicle is hit, often leading to twisting injuries of the spine, causing sprains, strains, or disc injuries.
- Rollover Accidents: The forceful rolling motion and potential for roof collapse can cause serious back injuries, including spinal fractures and spinal cord damage.
- High-Speed Collisions: Higher-speed accidents generally lead to more severe injuries, including serious damage to the spine.
- Seatbelt Injuries: While seatbelts are essential for safety, in some instances, they can contribute to back injuries during a car accident, especially if not properly worn.
- Improper Airbag Deployment: If an airbag deploys incorrectly or with too much force, it can result in trauma to the upper body, causing neck and back injuries.
The “At-Fault System” of Colorado Springs
In Colorado Springs, the state system used for determining financial responsibility for a motor vehicle accident is known as an “at-fault” system, also referred to as a tort system.
Under this system, the party that is determined to be at fault, or to blame for the accident, is responsible for the damages incurred by the other party. This responsibility is typically handled through the at-fault party’s auto insurance provider.
Here are the key points of the at-fault system:
- Determination of Fault: After a car accident, the involved insurance companies or a court, if a lawsuit is filed, will determine who was at fault based on the circumstances of the accident. This might be one driver entirely, or fault might be shared between multiple parties.
- Claim Process: If you’re in an accident and the other driver is at fault, you have three options to seek compensation. You can file a claim with your own insurance company if you have the appropriate coverage (like collision coverage), file a third-party claim directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance, or file a lawsuit in court against the at-fault driver.
- Compensation: The at-fault party or their insurance company is responsible for compensating the injured party for both property damage and personal injury. This can include costs for vehicle repairs, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Insurance Requirement: Because Colorado operates under an at-fault system, all drivers are required by law to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance to cover potential damages they may cause to others in an accident.
Statute of Limitations for Car Accident-Related Back Injuries
In Colorado, the statute of limitations, which is the legal time limit to file a lawsuit, varies depending on the type of legal action. For car accident-related back injuries, which would generally be classified as personal injury cases, you typically have three (3) years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties. This three-year period also applies to property damage claims related to car accidents.
However, there can be exceptions to this rule. For instance, if the injury wasn’t discovered right away, which can sometimes be the case with back injuries, the clock may start running from the “date of discovery” of the injury, rather than the date of the accident.
Contact our Colorado Springs Back Injury Lawyers Today
Suffering a back injury in a car accident can be a life-altering experience, filled with physical pain, emotional distress, and financial hardship. But you don’t have to face these challenges alone. Our Colorado Springs back injury lawyers at the Green Law Firm P.C. are here to support you. Our experienced team is committed to fighting for the justice and compensation you deserve, so you can focus on healing and recovery. We’ll navigate the complexities of the legal system on your behalf, ensuring your rights are protected every step of the way. Contact our Colorado Springs office today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you regain control of your life after a devastating car accident.
