Blog

Back Injury from a Vehicle Crash

Back Injury from a Vehicle Crash

If you sustained a back injury in a vehicle crash, you may be wondering about your legal recourse. Below, we address a few common questions about back injury claims. We welcome you to contact Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers with any questions. 

Common back injuries related to a vehicle crash include:

  • Vertebrae fracture
  • Vertebrae dislocation
  • Herniated disc, also called a slipped, bulged, or ruptured disc
  • Back strain: injury to a muscle or tendon
  • Back sprain: stretching or tearing of a ligament
  • Spinal cord injury

The severity and prognosis of these injuries can vary significantly. Some back injuries require surgery. Many patients are prescribed pain medication, therapies, and long-term treatment.

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury is a particularly devastating result of back trauma, as it causes the loss of mobility or function in parts of the body. The Mayo Clinic reports that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injury in people under 65 years of age. Those over 65 commonly suffer spinal cord injuries in slip and fall accidents. Treatment of a spinal cord injury can be very involved and costly, including medications and equipment, rehabilitation, long hospital stays, and surgeries.

Pre-existing Back Injuries After a Vehicle Accident

Many people involved in a car accident find that the incident has exacerbated a pre-existing back injury. What was once healed might be re-broken or otherwise damaged and painful again. The victim might need surgery, therapy, and medication to try to get back to normal. It’s important to know that no matter what the insurance company says, re-injuring an old condition is a serious matter that should be pursued.

Compensation for a Car Crash Resulting in a Back Injury

It’s important to seek professional medical help immediately after a vehicle crash, even if you feel fine at the time. A physician can perform tests like an X-Ray or MRI, which may find injuries and problems that are not yet presenting symptoms. Appropriate treatment then can begin and give you the best chance of recovering.

After you have obtained medical care, our experienced attorneys can explain the claims process. We can discuss what happened and take the best course of action.

How Much is a Back Injury Case Worth?

Many prospective clients ask us how much compensation they might receive for a lawsuit involving a back injury. In truth, there is no way to put a dollar sign on a case immediately. In the video below, Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers partner Jon Ostroff explains.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/356497116

Many factors will determine the value of your back injury claim, including the unique facts of your case and where your attorney files your claim. One of the most important things your law firm can do for you is explore all the different sources of recovery, beyond your insurance and the at-fault driver’s insurance.

Past Back Injury Cases at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers

Below are some of our past cases involving clients with back injuries.

$10 Million for a Client with Head-to-Toe Injuries
A client sustained injuries from head to toe when a tractor trailer hit and crushed the stopped vehicle at full speed. (Greene County, PA crash/lawsuit filed in Allegheny County, PA)

$6.051 Million in Total Settlements for Seven Chester County Residents
Occupants were injured in a vehicular crash that occurred on a rural highway. Due to the preference of our clients to remain anonymous, we are unable to disclose more information about this settlement recovery that occurred shortly before trial commenced.

$4.1 Million in Total Settlements for Four Passengers
Four passengers sustained injuries in a one vehicle crash on the PA Turnpike in Penn Township, Lancaster County.

$1.6 Million Settlement
A client was a passenger in a crash caused by a person driving under the influence. She sustained severe low back injuries requiring extensive surgery to repair.

$1.2 Million Settlement
Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers filed a lawsuit on behalf of a client who sustained severe fractures of the vertebra in her lower back in a high-speed automobile crash. Surgery was required. (Chester County client)

$675,000 Litigation Settlement
Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers reached this settlement following extensive litigation for a client with limited tort insurance whose car was struck in the rear by a tractor trailer on Route 81. The client sustained a back injury causing backaches, visual and speech disturbances, and dizziness that required management with medication. (Hallstead client, Susquehanna County lawsuit)

$600,000 Settlement for Injured Couple
Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers’s clients, an injured husband and wife, recovered all available insurance from multiple insurance companies. The husband sustained a neck injury and mild traumatic brain injury, and the wife sustained a back injury. (Meadville, PA client)

Getting Legal Help After Suffering a Back Injury

A back injury can change a person’s life. Aside from the financial burden, the resulting pain and physical inhibitions may never fully go away. Speaking with an experienced lawyer will not change what happened, but it can be the first step toward recovering for related bills, pain and suffering, and more.

Call Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers for a free, no-obligation case review. Even if you have limited tort insurance coverage and heard you cannot file a claim, we want to speak with you. Our firm may be able to find an exception so limited tort does not apply to you.

Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers has helped more than 25,000 Pennsylvania crash victims over the past 25+ years. We have recovered millions of dollars for clients across the state, including those who were initially told they would not win. Contact us if you suffered back injuries in a vehicle collision. A Pennsylvania car crash lawyer from our team will explain how we can help.