The Cost Of A Back Injury After A Car Accident In Ft. Myers
Brian O Sutter
Traffic Accidents
Back injuries are some of the single most common injuries experienced in Ft. Myers auto accidents. Even in the most minor of “fender bender” accidents, a surprise back injury can sideline area motorists in ways they never thought possible. Any sort of movement that jostles the body can damage your back in a variety of ways. What Types Of Accidents Cause What Injuries?
While back injuries of any kind can occur in any type of accident, there are some patterns. The different types of back injuries different accidents are known to cause are:
• Rear-end accidents – Rear-end accidents, or “fender benders” are most known to cause cervical spine injuries. Cervical spine injuries are a fancy term for neck injuries, and this is due to the way the body is pushed forward before being stopped abruptly by the seatbelt. Whiplash is the most common injury, followed by ligament and spinal cord damage.
• Front impact accidents – Front impact accidents can grow severe quickly. Because the head and neck are often thrown quickly forward, torn or herniated disks in the upper spine and the neck are common. With force, these types of accidents are known to cause severe injuries and paralysis.
• Side impact accidents – The seat belt holds the body in place, while the force of a side impact accident can cause the body to move forward, backward, or to the side. For this reason, side impact accidents cause the greatest variety of spinal injuries.
What Determines The Severity Of Back Injuries In A Ft. Myers Auto Accident?
Back injuries in a Ft. Myers auto accident can range from a bit of soreness for a day or two to serious injuries resulting in a complete change of life. Several factors come into play when it comes to the severity of back injuries as a result of an auto accident in the area.
First and foremost, speed always plays a role. There’s a reason why speed limits are posted on Ft. Myers roads, and this is to keep motorists safe as they navigate roadways in order to avoid these potentially devastating accidents. High speed accidents produce more force in the event of an accident, and more force always leads to greater injury severity.
Vehicle rollover can also be a big factor in the severity of back injuries. During a vehicle rollover, you’re subjected to the force of the impact as well as the force of movement from the vehicle as it rolls. The head is more likely to strike surfaces in the vehicle, which may also lead to neck injuries as well as injuries to any part of the back.
The direction of the impact may also impact severity. For instance, a side impact accident that jostles the body up and sideways may lead to more spinal injuries than a rear-end collision that mainly affects the upper cervical area.
The single most determining factor in the severity of back injuries is a simple one – whether you’re wearing a seatbelt or not. Seat belts have a very important job, to hold you in place if a crash should occur. Without a seatbelt, a person’s body may move all over the vehicle due to the force of a crash, putting any and all parts of their spine at risk.
Back injuries after an auto accident may lead to extended time away from work, surgery, prolonged medical care, a total loss of quality of life, or even fatal consequences. If you’ve been in an accident in Ft. Myers that resulted in a back injury, it’s your auto accident lawyer that’ll help you to get the compensation you deserve.