Our goal is simple - to help you recover the financial compensation that covers the true cost of your accident. This includes money for medical bills, living expenses, lost wages, lost future wages and all damages related to the injury.
How accidents happen
A back or neck injury can be caused by any number of accidents, including car accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, pedestrian accidents and construction accidents. When these accidents occur, someone's neck or back can be injured due to direct trauma, including being twisted or wrenched in a collision or fall of some kind.
In many cases, these accidents occur because of the negligent actions of someone else. Distracted driving and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are common causes. Other times, other types of negligence are to blame. This includes people who fail to take the necessary precautions to prevent an accident.
Whatever the circumstances of your accident, it's important to take legal action as soon as possible to hold whoever caused your neck or back injury responsible for their actions. Otherwise, you might end up having to pay for your accident out of your own pocket.
Types of neck and back injuries
Neck injuries can cover a wide range. Some of the most common - and serious - injuries we deal with at our law firm include:
Types of treatment
Injuries to the back caused by serious accidents can be devastating. Some of the most serious back injuries caused by accidents include:
We can help you
Don't simply assume you will automatically be compensated if someone causes your back or neck injury. Insurance companies can be notoriously difficult to deal with after a serious accident. That's because so much money is at stake in such cases.
We can help you demand the financial compensation you rightfully deserve after your accident. This starts with making sure you know the full extent of your injuries. It's important to evaluate the source of a back injury, how long the pain may last, what treatment will be necessary and the impact that this injury will have on your life. That way, we can help put a price tag on the total financial impact of your neck or back injury.
As part of this process, our attorneys often work with professionals in medicine, economics, physical therapy and private investigation to conduct a complete investigation into every aspect of your injury claim or lawsuit. That way, we can accurately determine and prove the value of your case. You have rights. We can demand them. Contact us to find out how we can help you.
Types of injuries
Whiplash
Whiplash is an injury commonly associated with car accidents. When a car is struck by another vehicle or collides with a fixed object, the force of impact may cause a driver's or passenger's head to whip suddenly in a forward and backward or side-to-side motion. This sudden movement may cause injury to the bone or soft tissue in the neck. Whiplash itself is not usually a life-threatening injury, but it may leave a victim in a great deal of pain. It may lead to a prolonged period of partial disability due to stiffness and pain in the neck which may extend into the shoulders or arms in some cases.
If you suffered whiplash in a car accident in Walnut Creek or elsewhere in California's Bay Area, we recommend contacting an attorney at our offices as soon as possible. Diagnosing and treating whiplash may be difficult. There may be no visible injuries and if the bones are not damaged, X-rays may not show that the neck has been injured. You will certainly know if you have whiplash. You know your body. You know something's wrong.
Our law firm has years of experience dealing with insurance claims and lawsuits involving whiplash. We know what to look for and we will strive to recover the full financial compensation you need for medical expenses, pain medication, chiropractic visits, therapy and lost wages from missed work.
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Soft tissue neck injury
Soft tissue includes muscles, ligaments and tendons. The neck contains a lot of soft tissue. In an accident, this tissue can easily be damaged due to the neck being pushed or pulled in various directions. Some of the most common soft tissue neck injuries include:
- Neck sprain
- Neck strain
- Muscle spasms
- Inflammation of neck muscles
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Nerve damage
The neck contains a web of nerve endings connecting various muscles to the brain, spinal cord and other parts of the body. In a serious accident, these nerves can be seriously injured. Pinched nerve (also known as a compressed nerve) is a common injury. This type of injury occurs when extreme pressure is applied to the nerve. There are three main types of nerve injuries:
- Neuropraxia - The least severe type of nerve injury. Often involves pinched nerve and temporary physical problems.
- Axonotmesis - A more severe nerve injury. Occurs when a nerve is crushed or stretched. Can result in temporary paralysis and other serious medical issues.
- Neurotmesis - The most severe nerve injury. Medical issues can be permanent, including paralysis and other physical impairments. Severe contusions and strong blows to the neck often cause such injuries.
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Broken neck
The neck contains seven bones, all of which are part of the spine. If these bones become broken in an accident, injury victims can sustain serious life-altering injuries. A broken neck is formally known as a cervical fracture. This type of injury can be particularly serious if the spinal cord sustains a serious injury due to a broken neck bone. Specifically, the injury victim could lose the ability to move the rest of his or her body below the location of the injury.
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Herniated discs
This type of back or neck injury occurs when one of the soft discs located between bones that make up the spine (known as vertebrae) becomes ruptured or slips. A ruptured disc or slipped disc can result in severe pain in the arm or leg or in the nerves located closest to the injured, herniated disc.
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Spondylolisthesis
This medical term refers to a back injury in which one of the vertebra (back bones) slides over the bone located underneath. As a result, damage to the spinal cord can occur since the cord can become trapped between the two misaligned vertebrae. Symptoms can include weakness in the legs. Loss of bladder control is another, rarer symptom.
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Cervical radiculopathy
This broad medical term applies to a wide range of nerve injuries in the neck. Such neck injuries can be caused by compression of the neck muscles, inflammation of the nerves in the neck and other common injuries. Symptoms of cervical radiculopathy include pain or numbness in the hands, arms or shoulders.
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Types of treatment
Lumbar fusions
This type of surgery involves joining together two vertebrae (bones in the spine) to form one vertebra. This surgical procedure is performed in an effort to eliminate back pain caused by two discs moving around and damaging muscles, nerves and ligaments in the spine.
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Cervical injuries/fusions
This surgical procedure fuses bones together in the neck in order to alleviate pain in the neck muscles, nerves or ligaments. Sometimes, bones in the neck are joined together. Other times, bones from other parts of the body are fused with a bone in the neck to hold the vertebrae in place and avoid similar injuries in the future.
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Artificial disc replacements
When soft discs in the back or neck become damaged, the vertebrae (bones) on each side of discs can come into contact with each other, causing serious pain and discomfort. One solution to this problem is to replace the discs with artificial ones that provide comfort and prevent vertebrae from coming into contact or slipping out of place.
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Nerve ablation
This medical procedure is intended to reduce chronic pain in the nerves located in the neck or back. Nerve ablation involves destroying part of the existing nerves in order to disrupt the pain signals being transmitted from one part of the body to another.
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