Back injuries are among the most common and painful outcomes of an accident. When your back goes out, everything else in your life feels like it stops. You might face sudden pain, or it can sneak up on you. You might not have even noticed the injury at first, but now it hurts to walk, sit, and even sleep.
A back injury’s seriousness is often misunderstood by the people around you. It’s hard to understand an invisible injury that can’t be seen. Meanwhile, you’re losing sleep, missing work, and trying to figure out how long this will last.
Types of Back Injuries
Back injuries present various challenges for each person. Sometimes, it’s just a dull ache, but other people could feel a shooting pain down their legs or even be paralyzed. The type of injury can make a difference in the level of pain, as well as your options for recovery.
Herniated Discs
Your spine is made of bones (vertebrae) with cushion-like discs between them. When one of those discs slips out of place or ruptures, it can press on the nearby nerves. A herniated disc is common after a sudden impact like a car crash. The pain might stay in your back, or it can travel down into your legs.
Soft Tissue Damage
Compared to paralysis, soft tissue injuries—such as muscle strains, sprains, or tears—may not seem serious. But these injuries can still lead to chronic pain and problems with mobility if they are not treated properly.
Spinal Fractures
A spinal fracture is just what it sounds like — a break in one of the bones in your spine. These can be incredibly painful and sometimes need surgery to correct. They usually happen in high-speed vehicle accidents and falls.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the spinal cord itself is severe and can trigger partial or complete paralysis. While not as common as other types of back trauma, it’s worth mentioning. Spinal cord injuries are life-changing and usually permanent. Next to brain injuries, these are typically the worst injuries an accident victim could suffer.
How Can a Back Injury Affect Your Daily Life?
It’s easy to underestimate a back injury if you’ve never had one before. Even the smallest tasks become a daily hurdle to overcome. It can be impossible to work, particularly if it involves physical strain or prolonged sitting. You might need to take time off, or you may not be able to go back at all.
Then there’s the emotional impact. The pain wears you down, negatively affecting your mood and your relationships. You might start avoiding going out with your friends, skipping family events, or losing interest in the things you used to enjoy doing.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Back Injuries?
Many back injuries never fully heal. Even after initial treatment, injured victims may face chronic pain, reduced range of motion, and nerve damage. This can impede your ability to work, take care of your family, and live your life.
If the injury is bad enough, you might need to change jobs. You might also have to move into a home that’s more accessible and provides ongoing pain management. These are all long-term problems that deserve long-term support.
What Medical Treatments Are Available for Back Injuries?
Everyone’s treatment journey will look different. The exact details will depend on the injury, but it’s rarely a quick fix. You might need physical therapy, chiropractic care, injections, or even surgery. Recovery can be as short as a few weeks or last for years.
Treatment for most back injuries is often costly. Between medical bills, lost time from work, and the cost of ongoing care, the financial burden piles up. Some people may only need help covering the basics while they heal. But in most cases, the financial strain extends far beyond initial care.
For those facing extensive rehabilitation or long-term management, navigating insurance claims and exploring alternative funding options becomes crucial. This often involves legal complexities, especially if the injury stems from negligence or a workplace accident.
Can You File a Personal Injury Claim for a Back Injury in Virginia?
If your back injury happened because of someone else’s negligence, you likely can file a personal injury claim. This can help you recover compensation for some of your accident-related losses.
However, insurance companies rarely play fair. They might downplay your injury or even try to shift the blame to you so they can pay out as little as possible. To get the support you need, it helps to work with someone who understands what you’re going through.
A Virginia personal injury lawyer can help you challenge an insurer’s attempt at blame-shifting. This is critical in Virginia because of the state’s pure contributory negligence rule. The law states that an accident victim may not recover compensation if they are slightly at fault for their injuries. Even 1% of fault could permanently bar recovery.
A personal injury attorney can also handle all negotiations with the insurance company. This means the insurer may take your claim more seriously, resulting in more productive settlement talks. That could then mean a fairer settlement offer and a better outcome for your case.
Contact The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm Today for a Free Consultation With Our Manassas Personal Injury Attorneys
Back injuries are tough. They drag on longer than most people expect — draining your energy, your money, and your patience along the way. The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm is ready to help you handle the fallout so you don’t have to carry it by yourself.
Call us today at (571) 229-1800 to schedule a free consultation with our Manassas personal injury lawyers.
