How Should I Handle Back Pain After a Car Accident in Jackson, MS?

Motor vehicle collisions are one of the most common causes of personal injuries. Unfortunately, most people are unsure about what steps to take following a car crash in Jackson, MS.

You may be especially concerned after a car crash if you are experiencing back pain. When you have suffered a back injury from a collision, it is critical to take the right steps to protect your rights.  

A victim who experiences back pain resulting from an accident that another person caused has the right to seek compensation. With the help of a skilled legal professional, car accident victims can recover the money that they need to get their lives back on track. 

If you or someone you love is uncertain about how to handle back pain following a collision in Jackson, MS, do not hesitate. Reach out to the compassionate lawyers at the firm of Morgan & Morgan.  

Our knowledgeable Jackson, MS, attorneys will fight tirelessly to recover the compensation that you rightfully deserve. You should not have to bear the personal and financial losses from your accident alone. 

To arrange a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case, complete the simple contact form on our firm’s website today.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Jackson, MS

Every automobile collision results from a distinct set of circumstances. Still, some types of car crashes are more common than others. 

Some negligent driving practices make accidents much more likely. If you have been injured because another person drove in a reckless or careless manner, you can hold them legally accountable. 

The most common causes of collisions in Jackson, MS include:

• Distractions from passengers
• Driving faster than the legal speed limit
• Lack of proper vehicular maintenance
• Inexperienced drivers
• Driving while tired or fatigued
• Eating or drinking while driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Tailgating/following another vehicle too closely
• Talking or texting with a cell phone
• Failing to use a turn signal
• Improper lane usage or passing
• And more

Depending on the cause of your auto accident, you may have legal options available to you. After all, some of these potential causes are the responsibility of the other driver. 

Other car accidents are the result of product defects or improper road maintenance. It is crucial to consult with a knowledgeable legal expert to determine liability in your car accident case. 

The at-fault parties may owe you significant compensation for the losses associated with your car accident. If you have experienced back pain after a collision in Jackson, MS, do not wait to seek medical care. 

Your health and safety should be your first priority. Next, make sure to discuss your case with one of the caring attorneys at Morgan & Morgan. This will help to ensure the most positive outcome possible in your case.

What to Do if You Have Back Pain After a Crash

The moments following a collision can be emotional and overwhelming. Even in the aftermath of a minor crash, it is normal for emotions to run high. This is especially true if someone involved has been injured. Make sure to take the following important steps following a Jackson, MS, car accident:

Contact the Authorities

If you are able, it is critical to contact the local Jackson, MS, authorities following a collision. Getting a police report will help you to build a powerful legal case in your favor.  

When the police arrive at the scene, do not speculate about the cause of the collision. Provide factual information, but do not discuss who is at fault for the crash.

Seek a Medical Assessment for Back Pain

If you are feeling back pain from the accident, make sure to seek a medical examination as soon as possible. This is important for multiple reasons.  

First, getting a diagnosis for your pain will help you receive the medical care you need long-term. Second, medical care records will function as evidence in any resulting Jackson, MS, legal claim.

Failing to get a medical assessment after a collision may be grounds for devaluing or dismissing your claim. Insurance providers want to know that you are taking your injury seriously. 

When an attorney seeks compensation in your accident case, medical records and documentation of treatment will be invaluable.

Gather Relevant Information

If the pain in your back is severe, you should seek treatment immediately. However, if possible, you should collect as much evidence as possible while you are still at the scene of the crash. 

As time goes on, it becomes difficult to gather relevant information. Before leaving the scene, collect the following information if possible: 

• Contact information for everyone involved
• Eyewitness statements
• Driver’s license numbers
• License plate numbers for all vehicles
• Insurance information from other drivers
• Road conditions and hazards
• Weather conditions
• Photos of vehicular damage
• Photos of any visible injuries
• Detailed notes about your own experience of the collision 

Your legal representative can use this information to build a powerful claim for you. This evidence can be used to determine who is at fault for the crash and calculate the amount of money that you might be entitled to pursue.

Consult With a Legal Professional

After you have gotten the medical treatment that you need, reach out to a trusted Jackson, MS, tort lawyer. A skilled legal professional will thoroughly review the facts of your collision case. 

Most reputable law firms provide new clients with a free legal consultation to discuss their accidents and injuries. Use this initial meeting as an opportunity to determine whether the firm or attorney is right to represent you. 

During this consultation, the lawyer will ask questions to understand the circumstances of your case. Make sure to ask them any questions you have regarding your claim or the general legal process. This can help you decide whether you want them to legally represent you. 

Some of the most common questions that accident victims ask include:

• How long have you practiced law?
• Have you handled Jackson, MS, traffic accident cases before?
• Who do you believe is responsible for my injury?
• How much do you think my claim is worth?
• What steps should I take to document my back discomfort?
• How does your firm handle attorneys’ fees?
• What are the next steps after this consultation?

These are only a few common examples of questions that clients ask. Make sure to write out any questions related to your claim before attending the consultation. This will help you to determine whether you want to hire that particular attorney. 

You should never secure the services of a legal representative that you do not trust. If they say or do anything that makes you uncertain about their capabilities, keep looking. 

When you contact the firm at Morgan & Morgan, we will connect you with a seasoned personal injury attorney in Jackson, MS.

What Compensation Can I Recover in a Traffic Collision Case?

Even if you know that you have a valid car crash claim, you may not know what types of financial compensation you can pursue. Like most tort claims, Jackson, MS, car accident cases typically involve two types of compensation. 

These two categories of payment are known as “economic” and “non-economic” damages, respectively. 

Understanding Economic Damages

This type of financial compensation is meant to restore the victim to the financial status that they enjoyed before they were injured. In other words, economic damages are intended to make up for a victim’s direct monetary losses.  

Most car accident injury victims underestimate the financial costs that are related to their collision. Any monetary expenses that result from the accident can be pursued through a legal claim. 

Some of the common examples of economic damages in traffic accident cases are: 

• Past and current medical care costs
• Anticipated medical expenses in the future
• At-home care
• Physical therapy
• Property damage, including car repair or replacement
• Lost wages and income from missing work
• Long-term loss of earning ability
• And more

A legal professional will review the facts of your injury case and help you calculate the economic damages that you are owed.

Understanding Non-Economic Damages

Not every type of loss from a personal injury is monetary in nature. Some of the most devastating outcomes from Jackson, MS, injuries are intangible. 

Still, victims have the right to seek compensation for these costs and losses. Payments to compensate victims for personal, mental, and psychological harm are known as “non-economic” damages. 

Some of the most typical examples of these damages include payments for: 

• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and distress
• Panic, anxiety, and depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Loss of the ability to enjoy life
• Disfigurement
• Temporary or permanent disability 

When a traffic collision results in a fatal injury, the estate holder for the victim has the right to pursue financial recovery on their behalf. This type of tort claim is known as a “wrongful death” case. 

Through a successful wrongful death claim, the victim’s family may be able to recover money to compensate for: 

• The victim’s pain and suffering
• The survivors’ pain and suffering
• Funeral expenses
• Burial costs
• Loss of consortium or relationship
• And more 

If you have lost someone you love following a fatal car crash injury, contact Morgan & Morgan as soon as possible. Our Jackson, MS, wrongful death attorneys will fight diligently to recover the compensation that you are owed.