Why Hire a Back Injury Lawyer
Austin Back Injury Lawyer
A back injury can be a life-changing serious personal injury that eventually leads to chronic pain. Spinal cord injuries usually occur in the muscles and tendons of the spinal column area, typically in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions, but can include injuries to the sacrum and hip. We can recommend good doctors for your back, help you obtain treatment if you don’t have health insurance, and recover full and fair compensation for your injuries.
Back injuries are most severe when caused by real trauma — a car accident or a sudden fall. Symptoms include radiating pain, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet. The pain itself can come from:
- Crushed vertebrae
- Herniated or bulging discs — a disc’s tougher exterior can rupture or bulge under the force of a crash, letting its softer interior press on nearby nerves and cause sharp pain, numbness, or tingling in the arms or legs
- Disc degeneration — pre-existing wear that makes discs more prone to tearing or rupturing in a crash; the older the victim, the more vulnerable the spine tends to be
- Vertebral subluxation — a vertebra knocked out of place, putting pressure on nearby nerves and, particularly in the neck, common after a collision
- Fractured or broken bones — in a high-impact crash, one or more vertebrae can fracture; anyone with a suspected spinal fracture should not be moved before medical help arrives
- Ongoing muscle spasms, sprains, strains, and torn ligaments
These injuries are difficult to treat, and when a back injury doesn’t heal properly, there’s a real risk of permanent loss of mobility. Back injuries are the second most common reason for missed days at work, after the common cold — getting the right treatment soon after the injury happens matters, since waiting can make it much harder to treat.
When Back Pain After an Accident Is an Emergency
Most mild back pain after a crash can be managed with rest and over-the-counter medication, but see a doctor immediately — or go straight to the ER — if your pain:
- Is constant or intense, especially at night or when lying down
- Spreads down your legs, especially below the knee
- Comes with tingling, weakness, or numbness in either or both legs
- Is paired with unexplained weight loss
- Is paired with redness or swelling on your back
- Comes with bowel or bladder problems, or a fever
An emergency room visit typically x-rays your back to rule out broken bones, but an MRI is usually what’s actually needed to detect a disc injury — if your pain is severe, ask directly for one. If your back injury involves paralysis or loss of function, see our spinal cord injury page for how those catastrophic cases are handled specifically.
Building Your Case
Proving fault in a back injury case takes solid evidence — medical records, witness statements, and accident reports. Insurance companies often try to shift blame, so we focus on linking your injury to someone else’s negligence through clear, documented proof. Insurers also tend to pressure back injury victims to settle quickly and for less than they deserve; we handle negotiations and work with medical and financial experts to build a case for full compensation, including current and future medical costs, lost wages, reduced earning potential, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life. In cases involving extreme recklessness, like drunk driving or ignored safety rules, we can also pursue punitive damages.
If you’ve suffered a back injury in a car or truck accident, call the police right away and notify your insurance company as soon as possible — a police report documents the key details, and early notice to your insurer protects your right to benefits, especially if the other party turns out to be underinsured.
Why The Traub Law Office?
If you’ve suffered a back injury, see a doctor immediately. If the injury resulted from someone else’s negligence — even if you’re not sure — contact the Austin back injury lawyers at the Traub Law Office, P.C. Call us at (512) 246-9191 or fill in the form below.