There are a number of ways the lower back can become injured during an accident. During a car accident, the force of the impact may cause the body to jolt, straining and spraining the soft tissues in the lower back. During a slip and fall, a person may land on their back, causing some of the lower vertebrae in the spinal column to fracture.
When a back injury is caused by someone else’s negligence, you can claim compensation from the liable party. These injuries are not always easy to prove, though, particularly when they involve soft tissues. A Miami personal injury lawyer will collect the necessary evidence to prove your case so you obtain the full settlement you deserve.
Causes of Lower Back Pain After an Accident
It is not always easy to determine the cause of lower back pain after an accident. Some of the most common reasons for lower back pain include:
- Spinal stenosis: Stenosis is the medical term for the abnormal narrowing of any channel in the body. When it happens in the spine, discs in the spinal cord can rupture and bones within the spinal column can fracture.
- Lumbar sprains: When the soft tissues in the lower back are stretched, the injury is known as a lumbar sprain. These injuries in particular are very difficult to diagnose.
- Herniated discs: When the discs in the spinal column slip out of their position, they are known to be herniated, slipped, or ruptured, which are all terms for the same injury.
Compensation for Lower Back Pain
You may have many legal options after an accident caused by someone else’s carelessness. If you were in a car accident, you will first file a claim with your own insurance company. Due to the fact that lower back injuries often take months, and even years to recover from, you will likely meet Florida’s serious injury threshold and be able to file a claim against the negligent driver. If you were injured on someone else’s property, you can file a claim against them for damages. Some of the most common damages available in personal injury claims include:
- Medical costs
- Loss of income
- Loss of household services, such as housekeeping
- Rehabilitative expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
In certain cases, punitive damages are also available, but they are much more rare. Punitive damages are only available when the negligent party acted with gross recklessness. For example, if you were injured by a drunk driver, you may be eligible for punitive damages because impaired driving is such dangerous behavior.
Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Miami Will Help You Claim Full Damages
Lower back injuries are extremely painful after an accident, and you deserve compensation when someone else caused yours. At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, our Miami personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping accident victims recover the full settlements they deserve, and we will work just as tirelessly for you. Call us now at 305-371-2692 or submit our online form to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about your legal options.