Back injuries can be extremely painful and often cause other symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and difficulty moving or even getting up. These symptoms usually get better after a little while, but sometimes, they don’t. In some cases, a back injury is a life-changing event.
Whether your back was hurt in a slip-and-fall accident in a store or a car accident on one of Madison Heights’s busy roads, you may have a lengthy recovery period ahead of you. In the aftermath of a catastrophic back injury accident, you may have to stay in an intensive care unit, followed by extensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. You’ll probably be out of work for an extended period. In some cases, you may never be able to return to the same job you did before.
When someone else caused your severe back injury, you shouldn’t have to deal with the financial fallout on your own. You have the right to seek compensation, and a skilled back injury lawyer can help. Your attorney can take on many important tasks that might be stressful and overwhelming for you to do on your own. Many of these tasks are better done by an experienced professional with a whole team behind them than by someone trying to recover from an injury.
Atnip & Associates, PLLC, is a back injury lawyer serving Madison Heights, Michigan, and other communities around the state. We pride ourselves on our history of helping injured people stand up to the insurance companies and pursue fair compensation for their injuries. Contact us today to get started with a free consultation.
There are many different types of back injuries, the most common of which include sprains, strains, herniated disks, and broken vertebrae.
Sprains happen when a ligament is torn or stretched, while strains happen when a muscle or tendon in the back is torn or twisted. Symptoms may include:
Muscle cramps
Muscle spasms
Decreased range of motion
Pain that worsens with movement
Herniated disks happen when the disks cushioning the spine rupture and their centers leak. Symptoms of herniated disks include pain and numbness or weakness in the limbs.
Broken vertebrae can be among the most severe back injuries, and they are a typical result of car accidents. Some typical symptoms of broken vertebrae include:
Severe pain
Difficulty walking or moving
In some cases, irreversible damage to your ability to walk or stand
If your back is hurt in a motor vehicle accident, these are the steps you should take immediately, if you’re physically able to do so:
Call the police
Take photos of the accident scene
Get contact information from any witnesses
Exchange information with the other driver
Get medical care right away
Tell medical professionals about any pain you’re experiencing
Depending on how badly you are hurt, you may be unable to take some of these steps. The most crucial point is to seek medical attention and to tell the EMTs and the doctor about any pain you’re experiencing.
After seeing a doctor, the next step is to file an insurance claim with your no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) provider. This plan should cover all your medical expenses depending on the coverage you selected, which can range from $50,000 to unlimited coverage.
Unfortunately, insurance companies often try to minimize what they will cover. If you contact a back injury lawyer, they can help you pursue full compensation from your insurance carrier. However, you may still have more expenses than your no-fault plan will cover. In this situation, you can file a claim against the at-fault driver through their residual bodily injury plan. Your back injury lawyer can help you prove the other driver’s negligence and collect additional compensation, including compensation for your pain and suffering.
If your back is hurt in any other type of accident, such as a slip-and-fall or sports-related accident, the process is more straightforward. Here are the steps you should take:
Get medical attention immediately
Contact a back injury lawyer to identify any liable parties
File a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance carrier
In a slip-and-fall accident, the liable party is likely to be the owner of the business or property where the accident occurred. For example, if you fell on a broken stretch of sidewalk, the property owner may be liable for not maintaining the sidewalk in a safe condition. If you fall on a slippery floor while on a shopping trip, the shop owner may be liable.
Regardless of who is at fault for your injury, an experienced back injury lawyer can help you collect the compensation you need to pay for your expenses.
After a back injury, you may be able to recover compensation for:
Medical expenses related to the injury, including future expenses
Lost income, including lost future earning potential
Physical and emotional pain and suffering
Loss of quality and enjoyment of life
Some of your compensation may come from your PIP plan if your back was injured in a car accident. Some may come from the at-fault party’s insurance carrier or even the at-fault party themselves if they don’t carry enough insurance to cover your losses. A back injury lawyer can help you determine where to seek compensation and how much your claim is worth.
According to the Michigan statute of limitations, you have three years to file a lawsuit in a personal injury case. If you file after this date, your case will likely be dismissed, so don’t put off contacting an attorney. The process of investigating the accident and negotiating with the insurance companies takes time, and the sooner you contact a lawyer, the more time they will have to devote to your case.
The statute of limitations isn’t the only deadline you need to be aware of. After a car accident, the Michigan Insurance Code gives you one year to notify your PIP insurer of your claim. If your insurer refuses to pay for any of your medical bills, you have one year to file a lawsuit.
If you suffered a back injury in Madison Heights, an experienced back injury attorney can help you by:
Investigating the accident
Gathering evidence for your claim
Negotiating with the insurance company
Filing a lawsuit on your behalf
Representing you in court
If an insurance company is trying to take advantage of you, a back injury lawyer can stand up for you and help you pursue the compensation you are entitled to. Atnip & Associates, PLLC is a back injury lawyer serving Madison Heights, Michigan, and we’re committed to helping injured people who might otherwise be taken advantage of by the insurance companies. Contact us today to discuss your case in a free consultation and learn more about your legal rights and options.
