Back Pain After an Accident? Here’s What to Do

Sometimes, it hits you when you least expect it.

You don’t always feel it right after the impact of a car crash or work accident. And other times, the impact is hard enough that you feel it instantly.

We’re talking about back pain, of course. Whether you’re experiencing it right after the accident or a day or two later, waiving it off as not a big deal is NOT the way to handle it.

The reality is that, according to Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, thousands of individuals are injured in auto accidents each year. Many others are injured on the job. Unfortunately, many of these situations aren’t handled correctly by the people involved.

Continue reading for information on handling accident injuries the right way.

Get Checked By a Doctor

Just because you feel okay after an accident doesn’t mean that you are. Your pain could start hours to a few days after an accident. Delayed onset back pain after an auto accident is common and could be a symptom of a spinal injury, herniated disc or a soft tissue injury.

Getting medical attention immediately after an accident protects you in case that pain does ramp up due to your injury being more severe than you thought. And if you wait to seek medical attention days after the incident, insurance companies can argue that your symptoms are caused by activities that occurred after the accident.

Record As Many Details As You Can

It’s of utmost importance that you can record as many details as is possible. Recording includes writing down information, taking pictures, and video recording the scene. Depending on the severity of the accident, doing this may not be possible and you’ll have to rely on information from witnesses.

In addition to recording your own information, filing a police report is also important and is required by some insurance policies.

On-the-Job Car Accidents

Advice from experienced Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyers

In the event that the car accident occurred while you were working, your employer will most likely be required to pay for your medical expenses and lost wages under Georgia’s workers’ compensation law. Since workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, you should be covered by workers’ compensation and receive benefits if an accident occurred while you were working, even if the accident was your fault, as long as you weren’t under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

After being hurt in a car accident that occurred while working, you’ll want to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits by reporting the accident to your employer immediately.

When Is a Car Accident “Work-Related”?

Typically, you’re not able to collect workers’ compensation benefits for a car accident that occurred while you were commuting to or from work, or any accidents that occur during your lunch break and while you’re “off the clock.” The exception to this rule is if you are involved in a crash while on the way to work to pick up supplies for the office or grab a coffee for your boss who specifically asked you to do so.

Hire a Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

If you’re injured in an accident while on the job, it takes an experienced Georgia workers’ compensation attorney to go up against an insurance company to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Whether you want to believe it or not, insurance companies aren’t sitting around waiting to pay out money. They want to keep as much money as they can so that they make more money. You need lawyers on your side who know the ropes and are ready to fight for you.

Read our full article for more information on taking the right actions if you or a loved one suffer a back or neck injury in an accident.