Did you suffer a back injury in a car crash, a slip or fall, or another type of accident? Was someone else’s negligence to blame for your injury? If so, you could be owed compensation for the pain you’ve suffered and other losses you’ve incurred.
Back injuries are some of the most common injuries sustained in accidents. An injury to your back can be extremely painful and prevent you from enjoying your favorite activities or even handling life’s daily tasks. Many back injuries seem minor at first, only to gradually worsen as the full impact of the injury becomes clear.
If you’ve recently suffered a back injury in an accident that wasn’t your fault, the Sacramento back injury lawyers at Demas Law Group can help. Our team has been helping Californians with their personal injury claims for more than 25 years. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for our clients and been awarded numerous professional honors, including a perfect 10/10 rating from Avvo.
To learn more about how we can help you, call our Sacramento office today or visit our contact page for a free claim review.
What Qualifies as a Back Injury in Sacramento?
Back injuries are complex. All of the bones in the spinal column are connected to muscles, tendons, and ligaments that help to protect and support the spine. Ligaments connect bones to other bones, while tendons connect bones to muscles and other structures in the body.
In addition, the bones in the spinal column protect the spinal cord, which carries signals from the brain to the rest of the body. There are also discs between the vertebrae that help cushion the spinal column and provide additional support.
A back injury could involve damage to any or all of these parts of your back. If you’re involved in a car accident, you could sustain a fracture to one or more of your vertebrae, for example. If you slip and fall on a patch of ice, you might strain some of the muscles or connective tissues in your back, or you might damage one or more of the discs between your vertebrae.
Any time a part of your back is injured in an accident, it can be considered a back injury.
Common Types of Back Injuries
There are many different types of back injuries. You should see a doctor as soon as possible if you suspect you may have hurt your back. If left untreated, many back injuries can worsen, causing more pain and becoming more difficult to treat.
Here are a few examples of common types of back injuries:
- Sprains – Sprains occur when ligaments that connect different bones in the back are stretched or torn.
- Strains – Strains occur when the muscles or tendons in the back are torn or stretched in some way.
- Herniated discs – A herniated disc often occurs when the pressure or force applied to the back is great enough to rupture the disc.
- Compression fractures – If the back is twisted or compressed at an unnatural angle, you may suffer tiny breaks in the bones of the spinal column. These breaks are called compression fractures, and they can be extremely painful.
- Broken vertebrae – In serious back injuries, such as those that often occur in car accidents, vertebrae can fracture. If this occurs, especially if more than one vertebrae fractures, the result is often excruciating pain as well as other damage, such as paralysis.
- Spinal cord damage – The spinal cord can suffer damage in an injury, even in cases where the actual vertebrae are not harmed. Any damage to the spinal cord requires immediate medical treatment, as spinal cord injuries can easily cause permanent loss of function in parts of the body.
Common Causes of Back Injuries
Back injuries are so common in part because there are many different types of accidents that can cause this type of injury. Some of the most common causes of back injuries include:
- Motor vehicle accidents – Car accidents, motorcycle crashes, and big rig wrecks can lead to a back injury, even at relatively low speeds. Rear-end collisions, side-impacts, and T-bone accidents often result in back injuries because these kinds of crashes can put extreme pressure on the back. Motorcyclists are especially at risk because an accident can eject them from their vehicle and cause them to land forcefully on their back.
- Slip-and-falls – Slipping on spilled liquids or icy pavement can cause you to land hard on your back, causing a back injury. Even if you don’t land particularly hard, landing at the wrong angle can cause immense strain on muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
- Sports injuries – Getting hit by another player or landing at the wrong angle after making a play can cause back injuries, especially in heavy contact sports like football and hockey.
- Repetitive motion – Many back injuries occur gradually as a result of doing the same physical motion over and over. This is especially common in more physically taxing industries like construction or warehouse work.
Types of Compensation for a Back Injury in Sacramento
If you sustained a back injury due to someone else’s negligence, such as being struck by another driver, you can pursue compensation for your injury from the responsible party. Some of the things you could be compensated for include:
- The cost of any medical care related to your injuries, including future treatments
- Any lost wages due to your injuries
- Your diminished ability to work because of your back injury
- The pain you’re in because of your back injury
- Any mental effects from your injury, such as a lower quality of life because you can’t take part in certain activities
Contact a Back Injury Lawyer in Sacramento for Help
At Demas Law Group, our personal injury attorneys know what kind of toll a back injury can take on your life. While you focus on getting the treatment you need, we can investigate the cause of the accident, handle all the legal communications, negotiate for a fair settlement, and prepare your case for trial in case a settlement can’t be reached.
We have the training, legal knowledge, and experience to get you the compensation you deserve for your back injuries. We also know doctors and other specialists who can help you get the treatment you need to lead a full, productive life.
Our team is ready to help you however we can. Get your free initial consultation today by calling our Sacramento office or visiting our contact page.
