It is not uncommon to develop back pain hours or even days after a car crash. If you are experiencing back pain after a car accident, here is what you should do to protect your health and your right to compensation:
Get Medical Care
It is always a good idea to seek immediate medical care after any motor vehicle collision, including an on-scene exam by first responders and a checkup in the local emergency department. However, in some seemingly minor accidents, you may not know you have suffered any injury until much later. As soon as you notice your back pain, however, it is important to seek medical care.
Visit your local emergency department for severe pain or pain that includes weakness or other symptoms that extend to the lower extremities. If it is during normal office hours, or if the pain is not severe, you perhaps could schedule an appointment with your regular doctor.
Medical care is the first step in your physical recovery and also plays an important role in proving you suffered injuries in the crash. If you do have a claim against the driver who caused your crash, your medical records will serve as evidence of your accident injuries.
Continue Your Treatment
Your doctor will likely take imaging scans and determine what is causing your pain, then offer a treatment plan to help you heal. You need to follow your doctor’s instructions and continue your treatment. This includes taking all prescribed medication, attending all appointments, and going to physical therapy as recommended.
If you want a second opinion, it is important to consult another doctor quickly. We will need to show the insurance company you are doing everything possible to recover from your injuries.This includes continuing treatment until your doctor releases you from their care.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer
Once your doctor diagnoses you and you have a good idea of the extent of your back injuries, it is time to talk to a lawyer about whether you qualify to file a car accident liability claim. With this type of claim, you can recover compensation for your medical bills as well as other damages related to your back injury and the resulting pain.
Under New York State law, you can file a claim based on your no-fault policy after any crash. This will cover medical care for a relatively minor injury as well as a limited amount of lost wages due to missed work. To file a liability claim against the at-fault motorist’s insurance policy, you need to meet the state’s serious injury threshold, the criteria for which include:
- Permanent loss of a part of your body, function, or body system
- Permanent limitation of a body part
- Significant limitation of a body function or system
- Total disability for at least 90 of the first 180 days following the crash
If we can show you meet this threshold, we can file a claim for compensation to cover your medical care, lost wages, property damages, pain and suffering losses, and other damages. If you believe you are eligible to file a claim, call us today.
Gacovino Lake: Your Long Island, NY, Car Accident Attorneys
The Long Island car accident attorneys from Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C. are ready to take your call. You can reach us at 631-600-0000. We offer free evaluations and handle most car crash claims on a contingency basis.
