According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), neck and back injuries are the most common cause of emergency room visits related to car accidents. Approximately 23.6 percent of auto accident-related ER visits between 2010 and 2011 involved sprains or strains of the neck and back.
If you suffered an injury in an accident, know that your injury can have a tremendous impact on your life. Talk to a neck and back injury lawyer in New York at Buttafuoco & Associates to discuss your rights to recover compensation in an injury claim. Call us at 1-800-NOW-HURT.
Types of Back and Neck Injuries
Whiplash
Whiplash is the most well-known neck injury associated with car accidents, with an estimated 3 million whiplash injuries occurring annually, according to Drs. Stephen Foreman and Arthur Croft in Whiplash Injuries. The Spine Research Institute of San Diego estimates that approximately 45 percent of patients with chronic neck pain claim the pain began after a car accident.
Sprains and strains
Sprains and strains are another common type of neck injury that may result from an accident. Sprains are stretched or torn ligaments, while strains are stretched or torn muscles and tendons.
Herniated discs & intervertebral disc degeneration
Damage to the intervertebral discs within the spinal column may cause neck and back pain. The gel-like discs can rupture and bulge, creating a herniated disc that presses on the nerves in the spinal column. Herniated discs often precede another type of spinal injury known as intervertebral disc degeneration.
Sciatica & radiculopathy
When a herniated disc or other mechanism within the spinal column presses on the sciatic nerve in the lower back, it causes a condition called sciatica. This injury can cause radiating pain from the lower back into the hips, buttocks, and legs. Cervical radiculopathy is another condition caused by compression of the nerve roots in the cervical vertebrae (neck).
The Physical and Economic Effects of Back and Neck Injuries
Back and neck injuries can cause a variety of symptoms in addition to pain.
- Reduced range of motion: Many neck injuries limit patients’ ability to turn their head or bend their neck toward their shoulders, chest, or back.
- Weakness, numbness, tingling: Because most back and neck injuries involve damage to the spinal cord, the effects can reach the limbs. Nerve damage can cause weakness, numbness, or tingling sensations in the arms, hands, legs, and feet.
- Limited mobility: A serious neck or back injury may result in temporary or permanent loss of movement in a limb or limbs.
The severity and nature of your symptoms can further lead to economic woes. Back and neck injuries can complicate your ability to perform job duties, regardless of the type of work you do. Whether you stand for long periods, sit at a desk, or your duties require constant motion, your injuries can complicate your earning potential.
Combine that with the economic effects of medical costs, and these injuries can create a significant financial burden in addition to the pain and suffering they cause.
As we file your claim and negotiate for a settlement, we will account for all of these damages. Let us help – call us at 1-800-HURT-NOW.
Recovering Compensation for Back and Neck Injuries
But to recover damages for a neck or back injury, you must have evidence establishing that another party’s negligence caused the injury and your damages. The types of evidence necessary for your claim will vary, but typically include:
- Photographs or video of the accident scene
- Police or accident reports
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Expert testimony
- And more
The attorneys at Buttafuoco & Associates have seen all manner of neck and back injuries and understand the impact they can have on your life. Let us help you recover damages for all of your short- and long-term damages. Call 1-800-NOW-HURT to set up a consultation.
