Car accidents that result in a spine or neck injury in Mission Viejo, Orange County, Riverside or throughout California can make a profound impact on a person’s life. The forces associated with a car accident are quite powerful. These forces rapidly and harshly move the body in multiple directions in fractions of a second. This can result in contortions to your neck and spine which they are not designed to handle. The result could be soft tissue damage to the discs in your spinal column or a serious and permanent injury.
Important Takeaways about Car Accidents That Result in a Spine or Neck Injury:
While many involved in a motor vehicle collision, even at low speed, feel mostly “ok” after impact, it is always important to see a trauma physician within 24 to 48 hours of any collision here in California. The failure to do so can preclude your otherwise valid personal injury claim down the road. It is better to be safe, than sorry.- The spinal cord is actually quite sensitive to the forces of any car or motor vehicle accident, even at a relatively low speed. Small micro tears to the discs that separate the vertebrae in your neck and back can take weeks or even months before showing symptoms. You may be able to move quite freely for a few weeks, but after some of the fluid leaks out of the small tear, you will be in severe pain and bedridden, missing work and all life activities.
- I worked for the major insurance companies for the first 20 years of my practice. I know their strategies and tactics. If you don’t see a doctor within 24 to 48 hours, the insurance adjuster will accuse you of injuring yourself somewhere else and trying to blame in on the accident. They will use your own words and the fact that you didn’t see a doctor to deny what should be a valid six figure personal injury claim.
It Might Surprise You to Learn Many People Feel Relatively OK after a Collision, Only to Find Themselves Bedridden and In Severe Pain a Few Weeks Later
Many people seem to feel “ok” after an Irvine or Mission Viejo car accident and are thankful they are “uninjured.” You may think you’ve escaped with a few bruises, however in many car accidents that result in spine or neck injury there is actually damage to the soft tissue and, in some cases, fractures of the underlying vertebrae and bones. Symptoms can take days, weeks, or even months to present.
Car accidents that result in a spine or neck injury are quite common. Compression of the spinal column occurs in many accidents. The ligaments and muscles of the back actually pull against one another attempting to return your neck and spine into alignment. The compression results in herniated discs. It may take several weeks to a few months for the vertebrae to begin to grind against one another or against the spinal cord. A person who thought they were uninjured after the accident often finds themselves completely immobilized and bedridden, unable to move, work or handle basic life tasks.
This is why it is critically important to visit your own doctor or an urgent care facility within 24 hours of an accident, even if you think you’re uninjured. There could be damage to the vertebrae or discs in your neck or spine. If you do not initially see a doctor, the insurance company will likely reject your valid personal claim resulting in the loss of valuable compensation to which you would otherwise entitled. The insurance company will say “You said you were uninjured in the accident. You told your friends, co-workers, family members and all of your social media accounts you were fine. The injuries you’re experiencing were obviously incurred after the accident and your just trying to get us to pay for them.”
How do I know this? I worked for the major insurance companies for the first 20 years of my practice. I know their strategies and tactics.
Car accidents that result in a spine or neck injury can result in medical expenses and lost wages which add up over time. These injuries are quite painful and your recovery can be a long road. My name is Rivers Morrell and after more than 40 years of experience in these cases I can tell you it is always best to immediately see a doctor within a day or two of any motor vehicle collision, even those at low speed, and even if you think you are perfectly fine. It is better to be safe than sorry.
We invite you to review the strong recommendations of our clients and the legal industry as well as our successful verdicts and settlements and contact Rivers Morrell or call today to speak with Rivers personally for a free, substantive consultation at (949) 305-1400. There is no cost to you out of pocket as we work on a contingency fee basis.
We will hold those responsible for your injuries financially accountable and seek the recovery of all of your expenses including medical bills and lost wages as well as compensation for having to endure your injuries and recovery.
