Toronto Car Accident Lawyers Helping Those with Back and Spinal Injuries
Our law firm stands up for your rights
Many car accidents leave victims with back injuries. These types of injuries are often long-term and may require extensive medical treatment. Recovering compensation for medical expenses can be complicated. Negligent drivers may deny responsibility for the accident and insurance companies may challenge the seriousness of the injury.
At Smitiuch Injury Law, our experienced car accident lawyers understand the impact a back injury can have on victims and their families. Dealing with a back injury can lead to emotional and financial stress for families. It’s a very difficult time. We are dedicated to helping you get the best possible outcome.
A back injury can be painful and greatly affect mobility. You may be unable to move or walk normally for weeks, months or even years – depending on the severity of the injury. You may be unable to return to work, at least until you do recover from your injuries. Some victims are left with a permanent disability.
If we don’t recover compensation, you owe us nothing
The effects of a back, spinal cord or vertebrae injury can be life-altering. Rehabilitation can take months or years, and an injury victim may never recover completely. Those recovering from back injury should focus on healing, but you may need to act quickly to recover the financial compensation you need and deserve.
Clients are at the centre of everything we do. The car accident lawyers at Smitiuch Injury Law are here to help injury victims. We can connect our clients with the right doctors, medical clinics and case managers to help them on the way to recovery.
Back, spinal cord and vertebrae injuries can result in:
- Back sprain (torn or stretched ligament)
- Back strain (stretched or torn tendon or muscle)
- Fractured vertebrae (sometimes called a compression fracture)
- Herniated disk (ruptured disk in the back, causing severe pain)
- Incomplete spinal cord injury (partially severed spinal cord)
- Complete spinal cord injury (completely severed spinal cord resulting in paralysis)
As catastrophic injury victims know, having the right wheelchair or proper home modifications are often necessary for your quality of life. Our car accident lawyers will listen to our clients' needs and help them access the services they need, both for their initial treatment period and for the rest of their life.
Here are some frequently asked questions about back and spinal cord injuries after a car accident:
- What are common types of back injuries caused by car accidents?
- What are common symptoms of a car accident back injury?
- How do car accidents cause spinal cord injuries?
- What are the long-term effects of back and spinal cord injuries?
- Who pays for medical expenses after a back or spinal cord injury in a car accident?
- Can I sue the at-fault driver for my back or spinal cord injury?
- How much compensation can I receive for my back or spinal cord injury?
- What evidence do I need to prove my back or spinal cord injury was caused by a car accident?
- How do I cover ongoing medical expenses for a spinal cord injury?
- Can I receive compensation for pain and suffering from a back or spinal cord injury?
- How can a lawyer help with a back or spinal cord injury claim in Ontario?
What are common types of back injuries caused by car accidents?
Car accidents often cause a wide range of back injuries due to the sudden, powerful force of impact. Common back injuries due to a car crash can include:
- Whiplash – This type of back injury commonly occurs in rear-end collisions when the neck and upper back experience a rapid, forceful back-and-forth motion. The sudden jerking motion can overstretch muscles, ligaments and tendons, causing pain, stiffness and a reduced range of motion.
- Herniated discs – The spine contains soft, cushioned discs that act as shock absorbers between the vertebral bones in the spine. In a car accident, the force of the collision can cause these discs to push out (herniate) from their normal position. When this happens, herniated discs can press on nerves in the spine, often causing severe pain.
- Spinal fractures – High-impact collisions can lead to broken bones or fractures of the vertebrae. These are the 33 bones located in the spinal column. A common type of vertebral fracture is a compression fracture, where the bone collapses due to intense pressure.
- Soft tissue injuries – These types of back injuries often include injuries to the muscles, ligaments or tendons in the back, including muscle strains or sprains. Soft tissue injuries often result from the sudden impact or twisting motions during a car crash.
- Lumbar muscle strains and sprains – The lumbar region, or lower back, often absorbs much of the impact during a car crash. In particular, the lumbar muscles often become strained or overstretched, which can result in ligament damage.
- Facet joint injuries – Located in between each vertebra, facet joints allow the spine to bend and twist. These joints can become damaged during a car crash, resulting in severe pain and discomfort.
- Thoracic spine injuries – The thoracic part of the spine is located in the upper and mid-back area. While thoracic spine injuries caused by car accidents are less common, they can occur as a result of a high-impact crash.
Each of these back injuries can vary in severity. In each case, prompt medical attention and diagnosis are essential. That’s why it’s important to see a medical professional right away after your Ontario car crash.
What are common symptoms of a car accident back injury?
Depending on where your back injury occurred, the severity of your injury and other factors, common symptoms can include:
- Frequent and severe headaches.
- Dizziness or poor balance.
- Tingling sensations in the arms.
- Sharp pain, especially in the legs and arms.
- Numbness or weakness.
- Limited mobility and difficulty moving.
- Swelling or inflammation.
- Bruising along the back.
- Stiffness and difficulty bending or lifting.
Delayed back injury symptoms are common and might not always appear immediately after an accident. If you suspect you sustained a back injury, seek immediate medical attention. That way, you will have documentation of your injury and you will receive the medical care you need to give yourself the best opportunity to recover.
How do car accidents cause spinal cord injuries?
Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) occur when the spinal cord is damaged, often due to high-impact collisions. These injuries can result in partial or complete loss of sensation and mobility below the point of injury. Common causes of spinal cord injuries due to car accidents include:
- Direct trauma to the spine, such as hitting the steering wheel or seat.
- Compression or twisting of the spinal cord, especially during a rollover accident.
- Fractured vertebrae bones pressing on the spinal cord.
SCIs are among the most severe car accident injuries, often leading to permanent disabilities. Immediate medical attention is crucial for managing these injuries and improving potential outcomes.
What are the long-term effects of back and spinal cord injuries?
Back and spinal cord injuries can have a life-changing, long-term impact on daily life. In an instant, your injury can transform your life in many different ways, including:
- Chronic pain that limits mobility and quality of life.
- Partial or complete paralysis in severe spinal cord injuries.
- Loss of income due to inability to work.
- Emotional challenges, such as depression or anxiety.
Rehabilitation, physical therapy, mental health services and home modifications may be necessary to adapt to these life-changing injuries. These support services and others can help injury victims adjust to the long-term effects of a serious back injury. However, such services can have a significant financial impact. That’s why it’s important that you receive the compensation you deserve for your financial losses.
Who pays for medical expenses after a back or spinal cord injury in a car accident?
In Ontario, your accident benefits through your auto insurance typically cover immediate medical expenses, regardless of who was at fault. These benefits often include compensation for hospital visits, rehabilitation and attendant care to help with daily tasks like meal preparation and housekeeping.
However, if another driver caused your accident, you may also pursue an injury claim and file a car accident lawsuit seeking damages, the legal term for compensation for financial losses in an at-fault case. In addition, you may also be able to take legal action for additional costs not covered by insurance, such as compensation for long-term care or lost income replacement.
The best way to know for sure about your compensation options is to talk to an Ontario car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Can I sue the at-fault driver for my back or spinal cord injury?
Yes, you have the right to take legal action and file a lawsuit seeking damages (financial compensation) for your car accident back injury. The key to your legal case is proving that the other driver was at fault and their negligence caused your injuries.
Your car accident lawsuit may allow you to recover compensation for your financial losses, including money for:
- Medical expenses, including long-term rehabilitation.
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering caused by your injuries.
Proving negligence occurred can be difficult, even if the other driver was clearly at fault. That’s why it’s critical that you have as much evidence as possible in support of your case. Otherwise, your car accident back injury lawsuit might not receive the attention it rightfully deserves.
How much compensation can I receive for my back or spinal cord injury?
There’s no set dollar amount when it comes to compensation for back injuries or spinal cord damage caused by Ontario car accidents. Each case is different. Depending on the severity of your injury, the length of your recovery and many other factors, you could be eligible to receive thousands of dollars or significantly more money.
The bottom line is you should be compensated for all your financial losses, which could include:
- Medical costs for treatment, therapy, medical equipment and ongoing future medical care.
- Replacement income if you need time off from work to recover from your back injury.
- Lost future income if you cannot return to work due to a permanent disability, including paralysis or another type of severe spinal cord injury.
- Non-economic damages (financial losses) for pain and suffering or emotional distress.
So how do you know how much money your car accident back injury case is worth? Talk to a lawyer at our law firm. We can review the details of your case, answer your questions and explain possible funding options.
What evidence do I need to prove my back or spinal cord injury was caused by a car accident?
In order to build a strong legal case in support of a back or spinal cord injury claim, you need evidence that your car accident caused your injury. Otherwise, your injury claim or lawsuit could be denied due to lack of evidence. Key evidence in such cases often includes:
- Medical records detailing your diagnosis and medical treatment for your back or spinal cord injury. These records can be especially important since they can clearly show when and how your injury occurred due to a car crash.
- The official police reports by the investigating police officer who responded to your accident and other official documents.
- Statements from eyewitnesses who saw you crash.
- Photos or videos of the accident, including traffic camera footage, dash cam videos and photos taken by passersby.
- Expert testimony from medical or accident reconstruction specialists.
Such evidence can demonstrate a clear link between your car accident and your injuries. Your lawyer can find this evidence by carefully investigating your Toronto car accident.
How do I cover ongoing medical expenses for a spinal cord injury?
Future medical expenses for a spinal cord injury can be significant. Whether it’s physical therapy, doctor’s appointments to monitor a patient’s progress or future surgical procedures, medical expenses can add up fast. That’s why it’s critical that injury victims receive financial compensation to pay for ongoing medical care.
Depending on the circumstances of your Ontario car accident, possible funding sources for future medical expenses could include:
- Accident benefits from your insurance for rehabilitation and care.
- Disability benefits if you are unable to work.
- Personal injury claim or lawsuit filed against the at-fault driver for uncovered costs.
Other possible future medical expenses often come up after a serious car accident that results in a spinal cord injury. This is why you need to have a plan to pay for such expenses. Otherwise, you could end up having to pay for them out of your own pocket.
Can I receive compensation for pain and suffering from a back or spinal cord injury?
Yes, you have the right to request compensation for non-economic damages, which are losses that do not have a specific financial value such as medical bills or vehicle repairs. Compensation for pain and suffering can address:
- Physical pain and discomfort caused by the injury.
- Emotional impacts, such as depression or anxiety.
In Ontario, compensation for pain and suffering is subject to limits established by the courts. These compensation caps vary depending on the severity of the injury. Severe spinal cord injuries can result in higher awards due to their life-changing impact on quality of life. However, each case is different. That’s why it’s important to have a lawyer on your side who thoroughly understands how the legal system works in Ontario when it comes to car accident compensation.
How can a lawyer help with a back or spinal cord injury claim in Ontario?
Your lawyer can be your lifeline after a serious Ontario car accident that results in a spinal cord injury or another type of back injury. When you have a lawyer on your side, you can make sure your injury claim or lawsuit receives the attention it rightfully deserves. A lawyer can:
- Answer your questions about your case.
- Explain your legal options.
- Thoroughly investigate your car accident.
- Review your official police accident report to verify that it’s accurate.
- Deal directly with insurance companies on your behalf.
- Gather evidence that shows a clear link between your accident and your back injury.
- Consult with medical experts who can provide analysis about the severity of your injury.
- Calculate the full value of your claim, including future expenses.
- Negotiate your settlement offer with insurance companies or other at-fault parties.
- File a car accident lawsuit on your behalf if necessary.
- Represent you in court if your lawsuit proceeds to trial.
Ontario car accident claims involving serious back injuries can be complicated. Don’t try to tackle your case on your own. Give your back injury claim or lawsuit the best opportunity for success. Talk to an Ontario car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Our legal team gets results in the GTA
Recovering compensation after a Toronto car accident can be complicated. We start by getting the facts. Our legal team gathers evidence to prove that a negligent driver caused the crash that left you injured. We carefully review police reports and medical records. We interview witnesses, and we consult accident reconstruction experts and medical experts.
We’ve been helping the injured since 2001, and insurance companies are very familiar with us. They know that our lawyers are always prepared with a strong case. They know that we are never afraid to go to trial for our clients. That’s why insurance companies often agree to negotiate a settlement with us.
Our lawyers know that clients who have suffered a back injury are concerned about the high cost of legal fees. That is why our initial consultations are free, and if we take your case, we have a “no win, no fee” policy. Our fees are charged on a contingency basis. That means you will pay nothing if we do not get you compensation.
Learn more about how we can help. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced car accident lawyer.
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– Janine P.
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