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Average Settlement for Car Accident Back and Neck Injury

Back and neck injuries are some of the most painful injuries a person can suffer after a car accident. The more painful your injuries, the more money it will take to fairly compensate you for your pain and suffering. This is why it is important to consult with an experienced South Carolina accident lawyer as soon as possible after any accident. The experienced injury lawyers at The Jeffcoat Firm are here to answer all your questions.

Common Back and Neck Injuries

One of the most common neck injuries in car accidents is whiplash. This occurs when the neck is forced forward and back very quickly. This commonly can happen in a rear-end collision. The sudden force causes the neck to crack like a whip. This can cause pain, stiffness, and soreness. Insurance companies commonly claim that it isn’t very painful and that you don’t deserve very much for your pain and suffering. But the reality is that even mild cases of whiplash can be quite painful. Always be sure to see a doctor for any whiplash symptoms.

You could suffer damage to discs that fit in between the bony vertebrae. These discs can slip, be crushed, or even become herniated as a result of a car accident. Disc damage is incredibly painful. Some victims spend years going through physical therapy or even serious back surgeries to try to get relief.

Some of the most serious cases involve damage to the spinal cord. In a mild cases, the spinal cord might be bruised or crushed. This will be incredibly painful during the recovery period, but if the damage is minor, the victim may be able to regain function and resume their usual activities. More serious spinal cord damage is far more dangerous. A victim might permanently lose function or sensation in a specific part of the body, and there could even be temporary paralysis of parts of the body. In the most serious cases, a victim could be permanently paralyzed. These victims often incur significant ongoing medical costs for the rest of their lives. They may also endure incredible amounts of pain and suffering. The physical process of being paralyzed can be excruciating, but the emotional cost of living with physical limitations for the remainder of your life is even higher. It takes a lot of money to fairly compensate a paralyzed victim for the losses that he or she will suffer over a lifetime.

Call Us Today to Speak with a South Carolina Car Accident Attorney

The injury lawyers in Columbia and South Carolina areas at The Jeffcoat Firm are here to help. Our injury team has years of experience handling all types of injury cases. We have helped many South Carolina injury victims get the compensation they deserve, and we will fight hard for you, too. Contact us at (803) 200-2000 for your free case evaluation. You don’t have to spend hours searching for “auto accident lawyers near me.”

Back and Neck Injury FAQ

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When Should I See a Doctor?

It is critical that you see a doctor as soon as possible after any accident – even if you do not think you were injured. First, you want to protect your health as much as possible. Even if you do not feel injured, you could still have injuries that do not show up right away. These “latent injuries” are common after car accidents. Whiplash is a common example. Often the victim does not begin to feel stiff and sore until the next day. More serious injuries, like internal bleeding, could show up within a few hours, but even this short delay could be too late. Only a qualified medical professional can determine whether you have any injuries and what treatment you require. The sooner you get that treatment, the better your outcome  is likely to be.

The second reason it is so important to see a doctor right away is to protect your legal rights. A negligent driver has a legal obligation to compensate you for the pain and suffering that he or she caused. But if you make your own suffering worse by failing to see a doctor right away, this is not the defendant’s fault. Insurance companies will often try to claim that you made your own injuries worse by failing to see a doctor right away, not following through on treatment recommendations, or having other delays in care. You do not want to give the insurance company any excuse to try to get out of paying you what you are owed. By seeing a doctor right away, you help protect both your health and your legal right to compensation.

How Long Will My Recovery Take?

Back and neck injuries can vary greatly. Some minor injuries, such as whiplash, can resolve after just a few days of rest. Other injuries can cause months – or even years – of pain and discomfort. Permanent injuries like paralysis will require a lifetime of ongoing care. Your recovery will depend on the nature of your injuries. Listen carefully to your doctor’s advice. Follow through on all treatment recommendations and keep in touch with your attorney about what your doctor advises.

Is There a Time Limit to File My Injury Claim?

Most injury cases are subject to a statute of limitations of three years. This can be even shorter in some cases, and this is yet another reason to contact an attorney as soon as possible.

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Our Locations

The Jeffcoat Firm Injury & Accident Lawyers

1333 Main St #510,
Columbia, SC 29201

(803) 373-1668

The Jeffcoat Firm Injury & Accident Lawyers

5465 Sunset Blvd Suite B,
Lexington, SC 29072

(803) 373-1302

The Jeffcoat Firm Injury & Accident Lawyers

161 Elliott St SE Suite B,
Orangeburg, SC 29115

(803) 373-7593

The Jeffcoat Firm Injury & Accident Lawyers

749-2 University Village Dr,
Blythewood, SC 29016

(803) 592-6553

! NOTICE ! No Legal Advice Intended. This website includes general information about legal issues and developments in the law. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. These informational materials are not intended, and must not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. You need to contact a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction for advice on specific legal issues or problems.

Files are primarily handled in our main office in Columbia.

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