Spine Injuries From Car Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are a common cause of spine injuries. These injuries can result in minor strains or life-threatening damage that put you and your family under significant financial distress and pain and suffering. However, if you have an injured spine due to a car accident, you might be able to recover compensation for your damage.

Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today to know what steps to take next and whether or not you have the right to file a personal injury claim.

Common Symptoms of a Spinal Injury

It is important to know the signs and symptoms of a spinal cord injury so that you can take action as soon as possible. Common spinal cord injury symptoms include:

• Numbness or tingling on your feet, legs, arms, or hands
• Loss of bladder control
• Difficulty breathing
• Continuous pain in your neck or back

Common Spinal Injuries Caused By Car Accidents

Several spine injuries can occur in a car accident.

Soft Tissue Injuries

After a car accident, soft damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the neck or back can occur. This injury results in pulled or strained muscles and sprained joints.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal discs in your cervical and lumbar spine are flat and round, like a jelly doughnut. When too much pressure is placed on them, the inner portion of the disc can push out through tears in the outer layer. This is called a cervical or lumbar disc herniation or a herniated disc.

Spinal Fractures

A spinal fracture is a simple break or complex fracture that involves multiple vertebrae. A break or fracture can cause damage to the spinal cord and lead to permanent paralysis.

Facet Joint Injuries

The facet joints in the cervical spine provide stability and allow you to move freely. The impact of a car collision can inflame and irritate the joints causing pain and stiffness in your back or neck.

Spinal Stenosis

This occurs when the spaces in your spine that allow for nerve passage are narrowed, putting pressure on the spinal cord and leading to pain, numbness, and weakness.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is a spinal injury that occurs when one vertebra on your spinal column slips out of place onto the vertebrae below it. This often happens due to an accident or trauma to the spine. Symptoms include back pain, neck pain, and numbness or tingling in the arms or legs.

Long-Term Complications of Spinal Injuries

Even if you fully recover from your spine injury, you may experience long-term complications. These can include:

Chronic Pain

This is pain that persists long after the initial injury has healed. It can be challenging to treat and often requires medication or surgery.

Depression and Anxiety

Many people who suffer from pain experience depression and anxiety. These are common psychological problems that can occur after a severe injury. They can be difficult to deal with and may require treatment from a therapist or counselor.

Reduced Mobility

You may experience reduced mobility in the affected area of your spine, making it difficult to do everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or lifting objects.

Loss of Balance

If you have injured your spine, you may experience loss of balance or problems with coordination in your legs and arms. This can cause further injuries down the road if left untreated. 

Treatment Options for Spinal Injuries

Treatment for spine injuries depends on the severity of your injury. For example, if you have suffered a minor neck or back strain, rest and physical therapy may be enough to treat it. However, you may need surgery if you have experienced more severe damage, such as a herniated disc or spinal fracture.

Can You File a Lawsuit for Spinal Injuries Caused by a Car Accident?

To determine whether you have a case, it is important to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer who can review the facts of your situation and advise you on your best course of action.

If you decide to file a lawsuit, your attorney will help you gather evidence to support your claim and negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company for fair compensation.

What Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Can Do For You

The Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence to establish liability and negligence.

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, one of the most respected attorney-ranking service organizations in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.

Determining the Value of Your Case

If you have suffered a spinal injury in an auto accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

To find out how much your case is worth, contact the personal injury attorneys of Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. for a free consultation. Our experienced lawyers are dedicated to helping victims of car accidents obtain justice and fair compensation.

Here are some settlements our car accident lawyers have obtained for car accident victims:

• $6 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a rear-end collision.
• $4.8 million for a severely injured client after another vehicle struck his motorcycle.
• $1.9 million for a client who suffered a permanent back injury due to a car accident.
• $1.5 million for a client who had to undergo multiple surgeries after a negligent motorist cut off his motorcycle.
• $1 million settlement obtained on behalf of our 19-year-old client who was a passenger in a car in which the driver lost control, causing a collision. As a result, our client suffered extensive brain damage with cognitive impairment. He was in a coma for an extended period of time. Although he has regained consciousness, he is unable to care for himself. The law firm asked the Court to appoint him a guardian to care for him. The law firm is helping to establish a special needs trust so that the proceeds from the settlement will be protected against any medical liens.
• $1 million settlement on behalf of a client who suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.

Contact an Accident Lawyer Today

If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600  or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.