Back Injury from a Car Accident

Some injuries are impossible to ignore. What seemed like a minor ache after a crash can become constant painful discomfort, making everyday tasks harder. Sitting for long periods, playing with your kids, or even getting through a workday becomes a struggle. A back injury from a car accident doesn’t just impact your body—it can change your entire routine.

Who’s going to pay for the medical bills? Can you hold the other driver accountable? What proof will show the accident caused your injury? And how much could your claim be worth?

The attorneys at Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. have seen how back injuries affect lives. With over 100 years of experience, we help clients seek answers and fair compensation. Keep reading to find out what steps you can take to protect your rights and build your claim.

Can You Sue for a Back Injury After a Car Accident?

Accidents often result in injuries that disrupt daily life, and a back injury after a car accident is no exception. Colorado law allows you to file a claim if another driver’s recklessness caused the accident—whether they were speeding, texting, or simply not paying attention. You can, therefore, hold the at-fault driver responsible for the harm they’ve caused and seek financial recovery for your losses.

Here are some of the most frequent back injuries we see resulting from car accidents:

• Whiplash. Often occurring in rear-end collisions, whiplash is a sudden jerking of the head that strains the muscles and ligaments in your neck and upper back. Whiplash victims frequently experience neck pain, headaches, dizziness, and even problems with concentration.
• Thoracic spine injuries. The middle part of your spine is not as flexible as your neck or lower back and is, therefore, susceptible to injury in an accident. Fractures, dislocations, and muscle strains in this area can lead to significant pain, limited movement, and even difficulty breathing.
• Lumbar sprains and strains. Your lower back takes a lot of the impact in a car accident, resulting in stretched ligaments or muscle injuries, which can make bending, lifting, or twisting painful.
• Herniated discs. The force of a collision can cause the cushioning discs in your spine to rupture, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness in your back and legs.
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction. This joint connects your spine to your pelvis. An accident can cause it to become misaligned or inflamed, leading to pain in your lower back, buttocks, and legs.

Remember, back pain doesn’t always appear immediately after an accident. The initial shock and adrenaline can mask the symptoms. Any pain or discomfort you experience after a car accident should be checked out by a doctor right away.

What Evidence Can Prove Your Back Injury Was Caused by the Accident?

Insurance companies are quick to question whether your back pain is related to the accident. You must demonstrate that the accident caused your injuries in order to recover damages. Here’s how:

• See a doctor immediately. A prompt medical evaluation creates a record of your car accident back injury and establishes a timeline. Describe your symptoms in detail and tell the doctor about the accident.
• Follow your treatment plan. Attend all appointments, follow your doctor’s recommendations, and keep thorough records of your treatments, including physical therapy sessions, medications, and any diagnostic tests.
• Keep a pain journal. Document how your injury impacts your daily life. Can’t sleep? Missing out on activities with your family? These details paint a picture of how the injury has affected you.
• Document the accident scene. If you can, take photos or videos of the vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. This visual evidence can help demonstrate the severity of the impact.
• Obtain the police report. The police report contains crucial information, including witness statements, diagrams of the accident scene, and the officer’s observations.

At Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C., we handle all these details for you. We gather records, work with medical experts, and build a strong case that accurately reflects the impact of your car accident back injury.

How Much Is a Back Injury Worth in a Car Accident?

Average compensation for a back injury car accident depends on how the injury has affected your life—physically, emotionally, and financially. Colorado law allows you to seek compensation for:

• Economic damages. These are the concrete costs of your injury, such as medical bills, lost wages, and any reduction in your future earning capacity.
• Noneconomic damages. These cover the intangible losses, such as pain, suffering, and the limitations your injury has placed on your life. 

Colorado also has a comparative negligence rule. If you’re found partially at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced accordingly.

While every case is different, the average settlement for a car accident back and neck injury claim reflects the disruption the injury has caused and what you’ll need to get back on your feet. You have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim in Colorado, so it’s essential to act quickly to protect your rights.

Why Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. Is the Right Team for Your Case

Dealing with a back injury from a car accident is hard enough without the added stress of navigating the legal system and battling insurance companies. That’s where we come in.

Our team is committed to making this process as easy as possible for you. Here’s what we do:

• We hold insurance companies accountable. We know the tactics insurance adjusters use to try to minimize payouts. Our team will fight back with strong evidence and ensure your case is presented effectively.
• We handle the details. From gathering medical records to consulting with experts, we manage every aspect of your claim so you can focus on healing.
• We treat you with respect. We believe in building trusting, open-communication relationships with our clients, and we’ll keep you informed every step of the way.

Serious injury cases need the right lawyers. At Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C., we have decades of experience. We know Colorado law. We know how to get results.

Get the Help You Need After a Car Accident

At Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C., your physical and financial recovery is our top priority. We’ll take the time to build a solid case for you and work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We’re here to help you get your life back on track.