How Should I Handle Back Pain After a Car Accident in Burlington, Vermont?

Vermont’s largest city overlooks the idyllic Lake Champlain. From the bustling downtown area to the shopping district on Church Street, Burlington offers much to both visitors and residents. 

However, accidents and injuries can happen anywhere. If you or someone you love has been involved in a traffic accident in Burlington, you may be owed significant financial compensation. 

This is especially true if the car accident resulted in a back injury. When you are experiencing back pain after a car accident in Burlington, reach out to a legal representative to pursue a claim.

Back pain can signify a serious medical condition or injury. Because of this, it is critical to seek medical care when you are having back pain after a car accident in Burlington. 

Car accident injury victims typically sustain both financial and personal losses. When you have been hurt because of another Burlington motorist’s careless driving, do not wait.

The firm of Morgan & Morgan has helped accident victims across the country for more than three decades. Our compassionate legal team understands what is needed to effectively fight for victims in Vermont. 

To arrange a no-cost case evaluation with no obligation to you, complete the contact form on the firm’s website today.

Common Types of Back Pain From Car Accidents

When you are involved in a traffic collision, your body will likely absorb a massive impact. This makes the likelihood of back and spinal damage very high. 

Back pain can happen as the result of many different types of injuries. Some of the common causes of back pain from a car accident in Burlington include:

Whiplash

This is the most common type of injury following a car accident. Whiplash happens when the victim’s neck and back rapidly “whip” back and forth. 

When the person’s head and neck move in opposing directions, it can result in tears to the soft tissue in the neck. Whiplash injuries involve damage to the ligaments, muscles, nerves, and tendons in the neck or back. 

This type of injury often results in the following symptoms: 

• Decreased range of motion
• Pain and stiffness in the neck or back
• Headaches that persist or worsen
• Tenderness in the upper back muscles
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Dizziness and loss of balance
• Anxiety and depression
• Irritability and mood shifts
• Difficulty sleeping
• Blurred vision
• And more 

If you experience any back pain after a car accident in Burlington, it is vital to speak with a medical expert. Whiplash is a common cause of back pain that requires immediate medical attention.

Back Strains and Sprains

Sprained or strained soft tissue in the lumbar spine is another typical cause of back pain following a traffic collision. The significant force produced by car crashes can damage the victim’s nerves, tendons, muscles, and ligaments in the lower back.  

When soft tissue in the back is overextended or torn, the person may feel a range of symptoms. These may include lower backaches, muscle spasms, and tightness.

Herniated Spinal Discs

The human spine includes spongy discs of tissue situated between the bones of the spine. These discs have a soft center called a “nucleus” and a tough outer layer called the “annulus.” 

The spinal discs may slip out of place when someone’s body experiences a significant impact. A “herniated” disc happens when the soft interior of the disc pushes through the exterior. Typically, this type of damage occurs in the lower back. 

Herniated discs can result in the following symptoms: 

• Weakness and difficulty balancing
• Tingling and numbness throughout the body
• Lower back pain
• Pain in the arms and legs

Herniated discs can require medical care and treatments. If you have back pain after a car accident in Burlington, make sure to speak with a doctor about the possibility that you have a herniated spinal disc.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis happens when one of the spinal vertebrae is shifted out of place by a stress fracture. When the spinal bones move in unnatural ways, they may pinch or compress the nerves in the spine. 

Because of this, victims with spondylolisthesis usually experience pain, weakness, or numbness. In some instances, injury victims have difficulty walking. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney will know how to handle car accident cases involving spondylolisthesis.

Degenerative Spinal Disorders

When you sustain a severe injury to your back, it can result in long-term disorders. These degenerative spinal disorders can cause symptoms that last for months or years.  

These disorders may also worsen pre-existing health issues or medical problems. Some of the degenerative spinal disorders that can result from back injuries include: 

• Bulging discs
• Spinal osteoarthritis
• Bone spurs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Sciatica
• Pinched nerves
• Foraminal stenosis
• And more 

No matter what type of disorder you have developed due to your traffic accident, you should speak with a legal specialist. The accomplished lawyers at Morgan & Morgan have plenty of experience fighting for victims with degenerative spinal disorders. 

Filing a Claim for Back Pain After Car Accident in Burlington

Even if you know that your back injury claim is valid, you may be unsure about how to pursue financial compensation through a legal claim in Burlington. Your claim will be subject to the laws and regulations regarding personal injury claims in Vermont. 

One of the most important laws relating to tort claims in Vermont is the statute of limitations. This is a legal time limit by which injury victims must begin filing a lawsuit seeking damages.  

The statute of limitations on car accidents and injury claims is determined by state law. Most personal injury cases in Vermont are subject to a three-year statute of limitations.  

In other words, you only have three years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit in Vermont. Failing to file before the statute of limitations has expired will result in the dismissal of your personal injury claim. 

That is why you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible when you have experienced back pain after a car accident in Burlington.

Comparative Fault Laws in Vermont

Different states take a variety of approaches to holding parties legally responsible for car accidents. The state of Vermont operates on a “modified comparative fault” model. 

In many cases, each involved party can be held accountable for the portion of the damage they are responsible for. If you seek damages from another motorist for your back pain after a car accident in Burlington, they may claim that you also owe them compensation. 

The “modified comparative fault” approach means that you can hold the other driver accountable for the percentage of blame that is theirs. But if you are more than 50% responsible for the crash, you cannot seek compensation from the other party. 

Consider the following example: Suppose you were involved in an accident resulting in a serious back injury. You file a lawsuit to recover damages from the other driver. 

Once your case goes to trial, the judge determines that the other driver is 80% at fault, while you hold 20% of the blame. Your total costs and losses are calculated at $100,000. 

Your compensation would be reduced by the amount of the blame that was yours. In this case, you would only be able to recover $80,000. 

Because Vermont’s modified comparative fault statutes are complex, make sure to hire a skilled legal representative. The attorneys at Morgan & Morgan will help you navigate the complicated legal claims process.