person holding lower back in pain

Drivers and passengers involved in car crashes in Cheyenne, Wyoming, are at significant risk of neck and back injuries. That is because the spine and surrounding tissues in the neck and back are highly susceptible to injury from the considerable forces in a motor vehicle collision.

If you have sustained a severe neck or back injury in a car crash in Cheyenne, make sure to contact an experienced car accident lawyer immediately. Because the other party’s insurance company might try to minimize or deny your neck or back injury claim, you need an experienced lawyer who will fight for the total compensation you deserve.

Contact Olson Law Firm, LLC, for a free initial consultation with our Cheyenne car accident lawyers.

Symptoms of a Car Accident Neck or Back Injury

According to Johns Hopkins, some of the more frequent signs or symptoms of back pain include:

  • Dull, burning, stinging, or sharp pain, which may be localized or spread over a larger area of the back
  • Numbness and tingling in one or both thighs
  • Aching and stiffness along the spine
  • Shooting pain from the lower back, through the buttocks, and into the legs
  • Chronic aching in the middle and lower back, usually made worse by sitting or standing for an extended period
  • Loss of bladder and bowel control and weakness in both legs, which could indicate a potentially serious injury requiring immediate medical attention

Symptoms of neck injury include:

  • Numbness and tingling in one or both arms
  • Persistent headaches
  • Shoulder pain
  • Dull, aching, sharp, or shooting pain in the neck

Common Neck and Back Injuries

Some of the most frequent neck and back injuries victims of car accidents suffer include:

  • Whiplash
  • Lumbar strains and sprains
  • Muscle tears
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Disc herniation
  • Joint damage
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Nerve injury
  • Fractured vertebrae
  • Isthmic spondylolisthesis caused when vertebrae slip out of alignment

Average Settlement Amount for Neck and Back Injuries

When you have back and neck pain after a car accident, a settlement of your claim can provide the financial resources you need to recover from your injury and get back to everyday life. The average settlement for car accident back and neck injuries typically provides compensation for losses such as:

  • Medical and rehabilitation expenses
  • Costs of long-term care needed for chronic symptoms and disabilities
  • Lost wages when you take time off work to recover from a neck or back injury
  • Loss of future earning ability if you cannot return to employment due to your injury
  • Physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Diminished quality of life caused by physical impairments that interfere with your ability to perform daily tasks and participate in activities you previously enjoyed

Mechanism of Neck and Back Injuries in Car Crashes

Car accidents typically cause neck and back injuries due to the extreme acceleration and deceleration forces a collision imparts on the body. These forces can have a shearing effect on tissues in the neck and back, including bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and nerves.

The force of a collision could also cause the head and neck to violently jerk and whip around, rapidly extending the neck past its range of motion and straining, spraining, and tearing tissues in the neck.

Neck and Back Injury Q&A

How can I tell if my neck or back injury is serious?

While a neck and back injury can cause a wide range of symptoms, signs that you may have sustained a severe injury requiring medical attention include:

  • Pain that does not get better or continues to worsen
  • Severe, shooting pain into your arms or legs
  • Weakness or numbness in your arms or legs
  • Difficulty controlling your bladder or bowel

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

How long is the estimated recovery for neck and back injuries?

The length of a recovery period for neck and back injuries largely depends upon the severity of the injury and the medical treatments needed for the injury. Most neck and back injuries that don’t require invasive treatment, such as surgery, usually heal within one to three months. However, recovery can take longer for more severe injuries requiring surgery, inpatient hospital care, or an extended course of physical therapy.

Is whiplash permanent?

Some cases of whiplash resolve within weeks to a few months, especially when a car accident victim seeks prompt medical attention. However, in some cases, the pain and other symptoms of whiplash may continue for years or even indefinitely. Factors that increase the likelihood of chronic pain from a whiplash injury more likely include:

  • Prior cases of whiplash
  • Existing neck or back pain
  • Advanced age

How a Cheyenne Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

While you focus on treating and healing neck and back pain after a car accident, let a Cheyenne personal injury attorney at Olson Law Firm, LLC, work to secure the maximum financial recovery for you by:

  • Investigating the car crash to identify the driver or other parties at fault for the accident and who can be held liable to compensate you for your expenses and losses
  • Gathering your medical records, bills, and invoices and working with your treating medical providers and other medical experts to document the injuries and losses you have suffered
  • Taking the time to discuss your needs and concerns and help you understand your legal rights and what to expect in your case
  • Filing your injury claim with the insurance companies
  • Handling communications and negotiations to vigorously pursue full financial recovery in a settlement
  • Filing a lawsuit and litigating your case in court if necessary

Contact Olson Law Firm Today for a Free Consultation

If you’ve suffered a severe back or neck injury due to a negligent motorist or another party, let a Cheyenne personal injury attorney from Olson Law Firm, LLC, help you seek justice. Contact our firm today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation to discuss the specifics of your case.