Being involved in a minor fender bender seems like no big deal, right? If you are rear-ended at a stop sign or stop light, but the other vehicle was going slowly, you may not think too much about it.
However, a few days or weeks later, you may start to experience aches and pain in your back. When you go to the doctor, you learn that your rear-end accident may have caused this injury.
At this point, you may wonder – should you sue for damages?
This is a good question and one that is answered here. One of the best things you can do is schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer, who can investigate your case and determine if you have a viable claim. Some other tips can be found here.
Lower Back Pain from Rear End Accidents
After a rear-end accident, you may experience lower back pain. This is centered in your lumbar spine and caused by a sudden impact, which is common in these accidents.
Even at low speeds, this type of impact can cause a bulging disc, herniated disc, chronic pain, or a spinal fracture.
Compensation for Your Pain and Suffering
Back pain can take a significant toll on your physical and mental health. If you experience this after a rear-end accident, it may be possible to receive compensation for your pain and suffering, medical costs, and lost wages. To receive this compensation, you will likely need to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Hiring an attorney to help with this is recommended.
Remember that when you file a personal injury lawsuit, it’s up to you to prove that the other driver was at fault. To do this, you will need evidence. Some of the ways you can collect evidence after a rear-end accident include the following:
- Report the incident to the authorities. You should report even seemingly minor accidents to the authorities. When the police come to the scene, they will create an official report. This report can be used as evidence in your personal injury claim.
- Take photos while at the scene. Another source of evidence after a rear-end accident is photos. Take pictures of the positions of the vehicles, damages to your vehicle, and any visible injuries.
- Talk to witnesses. You should take time to talk to anyone who saw what happened. Get their contact information, so your attorney can reach out to them if you file a lawsuit.
- Exchange information with the other driver. You need to gather information (for your own records) from the at-fault driver.
- Seek medical treatment. Even if you don’t think you are seriously injured, get checked out by a doctor. This will help you find any hidden injuries and have documentation of what type of injury the accident caused.
Gathering evidence is a crucial part of any personal injury claim. If you cannot do this yourself, ask someone with you or contact an attorney who can begin working to gather as much evidence as possible.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer for Help with Your Claim
If you start to experience back pain after a rear-end collision, you have the right to recover compensation from the at-fault party. Just remember, you have to prove what happened and that your pain was caused by the other driver.
Remember, most personal injury attorneys provide a free initial consultation to discuss your claim. Use this opportunity to learn about your rights and options.
