Understanding Back and Spinal Cord Injuries From Virginia Truck Accidents

Our Richmond Attorneys Can Help You Pursue Truck Accident Back Injury Compensation

From the heart of Richmond to the many highways and interstates across Virginia, car accidents with commercial trucks happen all the time. Large trucks can weigh as much as 33 times that of compact cars. As a result, truck crashes can be much more devastating for occupants of passenger vehicles, and severe spinal cord and back injuries are common—and possibly cause permanent disability. This underlines the importance of hiring an experienced commercial truck accident lawyer who understands how best to approach these types of personal injury cases.

Highlighted image of neck, back, and spine indicating injury | Virginia Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or someone you know was seriously hurt in a truck accident and suffered back injuries, call The Mottley Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation. Our skilled team of truck accident attorneys will fight to earn the justice and fair compensation you deserve.

Common Back Injuries Suffered in Truck Crashes

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham states that vehicular accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the United States.

As accidents with large commercial trucks result in much greater force, they’re also more likely to cause serious injury. Symptoms may not be apparent right away, but back and spinal cord injuries can have a profound impact on the rest of the body. These effects can last for years—or even a lifetime. Here are just a few conditions our clients have faced in large truck accidents that prompt them to pursue personal injury cases.

Dislocations and Fractures

A spinal dislocation refers to when one or more vertebrae slip out of place. This happens because the supporting ligament is stretched or torn. Dislocated vertebrae can lead to nerve damage and other issues. A spinal fracture describes when the bones in the back crack or shatter under pressure. This is called a compressive fracture.

Common symptoms include temporary or chronic pain, numbness in the extremities, and muscle weakness. Some truck accident victims also report difficulty performing daily tasks.

Herniated Discs

Whereas spinal fractures and dislocations refer to the bones in the back, herniated discs refer to the cushions between vertebrae. A herniated disc is also sometimes called a bulging disc. The force of an accident with any kind of truck can cause a disc to shift or tear. Victims can suffer from intense pain and may require surgery.

Along with pain, people who have suffered herniated disc injuries may also experience numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and loss of bowel or bladder control.

Spinal Stenosis

When the space around the spinal column narrows, this results in a condition called spinal stenosis. Symptoms include pain and numbness due to the added pressure on surrounding nerves. The severe trauma from an accident with a semi, tanker, or some other type of big rig can cause or worsen existing conditions.

Victims report back and neck pain, weakness in the hands and feet, cramping in the legs, and problems with balance. They may experience issues with bowel and bladder control, too.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord itself refers to the bundle of nerves and tissue normally protected by the vertebrae of the back. It connects the brain to the rest of the body. As a result, spinal cord injuries can have far-reaching effects on nearly all bodily functions. Spinal cord injury clients are some of the most complex personal injury cases our legal team at The Mottley Law Firm represents.

In more severe cases, spinal cord injuries can lead to permanent paralysis or loss of mobility. It can fundamentally change a person’s way of life, from how they earn a living to how they care for themselves. Along with mobility issues, spinal cord injuries may cause loss of sensation, stinging sensations, and difficulty breathing.

Whiplash and Facet Joint Injuries

Most people associate whiplash with neck injuries from rear-end accidents. While this is true, whiplash injuries from accidents with truckers can cause related back injuries, too. Remember that the neck and back are fully connected. Injuries to the vertebrae and soft tissue in the neck can have a reverberating impact, causing chronic pain and inflammation.

Steps to Take After an Accident With a Commercial Truck

If you hurt your back in a truck crash, it’s crucial to take the appropriate actions to support your health and protect your legal rights.

Call the Police

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, motorists have a legal obligation to report any accident resulting in injury or death to law enforcement. It’s in your best interest to call the police as soon as possible. Be sure to keep a copy of the police report, as it’s a valuable piece of evidence in your personal injury case.

See a Doctor

Even if you think your injuries are minor, visit a physician right away for a comprehensive medical exam. Keep up with follow-up exams and stick to the treatment plan your doctor recommends. This demonstrates you did what you could to assess your condition and diagnose your injuries.

Hire a Lawyer

The aftermath of a car crash can be unnerving, and commercial vehicle collisions are infinitely more complicated. If you’ve suffered any injuries at all, call the truck accident attorneys at The Mottley Law Firm as soon as possible. We’ll take time to evaluate your case and explain your legal options.

The Mottley Law Firm’s Trusted Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help With Your Back Injury Case

The reality of spinal cord and back injuries is that their impact can extend far beyond the immediate present. What you experience as minor aches and pains today can escalate to lifelong disability very quickly. To ensure you’re fairly compensated for your injuries, including calculating pain and suffering, consulting with an experienced lawyer is vital.

The Mottley Law Firm has successfully represented clients in numerous accidents with commercial vehicles and large trucks. For example, after factoring in lost wages, medical expenses, and other damages, we helped to secure a $1.3 million settlement for a client after a crash with a tractor-trailer on Interstate 64. You deserve to know what the potential is for justice and rightful compensation.