An accident leaving you with painful neck and back injuries can have ongoing adverse effects on your life, leading to physical, emotional, and financial damages. Seeking prompt medical attention after an accident is crucial to prevent further complications and promote healing and recovery. Additionally, securing an experienced attorney to guide you through the process of making a claim and securing justice on your behalf is as important.
If someone’s negligence caused the accident, you must hold them accountable in civil court with the help of a catastrophic injury attorney to cover your damages and losses. Call a seasoned Inverness neck and back injury lawyer to learn more.
Common Symptoms of Neck and Back Injuries
Neck and back injuries can manifest through various symptoms, each indicating a different medical issue. Symptoms could include:
- Muscle stiffness that limits mobility
- Ongoing headaches and migraines
- Chronic and radiating pain
- Difficulty getting a good night’s sleep
- Numbness and tingling of the arms or hands
- Localized pain in the lower, middle, or upper back
- Muscle spasms
- Difficulty standing or walking
The injuries are often the result of accidents, such as car crashes caused by negligent drivers. Seeking care from a certified healthcare professional after suffering neck or back injuries is important. They often hurt more as time passes, and you may not realize the severity until later. Medical records are also essential for collecting compensation from the liable party.
Different Types of Injuries
Some of the different types of injuries include:
- Whiplash from a sudden jerking of the head during accidents
- Sprains and strains of the neck or back
- Soft tissue injuries
- Herniated discs resulting from pressure on the spinal cord
- Fractured vertebrae may happen during a forceful impact from accidents
- Spinal cord damage that causes paralysis in one or more limbs
A diligent Inverness neck and back injury attorney could review the case and answer specific questions during the consultation.
Establishing Negligence
Proving the defendant is at fault for the cause of action and liable for the damages requires establishing four specific elements:
Duty
Duty of care is a standard legal obligation, and everyone must act reasonably and avoid harming others. For example, motorists must follow traffic regulations and use caution to avoid causing accidents.
Breach
Breach of legal obligations is the negligent actions leading to the accident. If someone runs a red light and causes a collision, their breach causes others to sustain damages.
Causation
Causation links another’s negligence and the damages the injured person sustained. Merely proving they were reckless does not establish the necessary components to prove liability.
Damages
Finally, documentation and other evidence must prove the person suffered damages because of the defendant’s actions. That could be medical records, hospital bills, or expert statements and testimony.
Modified Comparative Fault
State civil courts follow a modified comparative fault rule for cases with shared liability. Per Florida Statutes § 768.81, if the court finds the injured person partly at fault, it will not bar them from collecting damages unless they are more than 50 percent responsible for the damages. Rather, it will subtract their portion of responsibility from the damages award.
A neck and back injury lawyer in Inverness could help build a powerful case to establish the extent of the defendant’s fault.
Meet With an Experienced Neck and Back Attorney in Inverness
Severe neck and back injuries require significant medical care and usually time off work. They can take a substantial emotional and financial toll. When someone else’s lack of respect for the safety of others and carelessness causes you to suffer severe bodily harm, you should not have to cover the cost of their actions.
A hard-working and experienced Inverness neck and back injury lawyer could help you gather the necessary evidence to establish liability and collect compensation for your damages and losses. Call today to learn more and schedule a consultation.
