Pittsburgh Back and Spine Injury Attorneys Fight for Victims’ Rights

Aggressive representation following accidents due to negligence

When your back is injured, your whole body may be affected. Physical therapy and, in some cases, surgery may alleviate some of the pain, but the road to recovery is long and sometimes interminable. Many people who suffer trauma to their spine lose mobility and endurance and are forced to live with chronic pain. If the negligent acts of another person have put you in this situation, you deserve to be fairly compensated. For decades, Phil DiLucente & Associates, LLC has helped innocent victims pursue justice following motor vehicle crashes, slip and fall accidents and many other types of accidents that injured their spines. We provide determined legal representation and deliver positive results.

Spinal injuries from car accidents and slips/trips and falls

Car accidents and slips, trips and falls are among the leading causes of back injuries. In a car accident, the sudden jarring of the vehicle as it is struck or abruptly stopped can lead to any of the following:

• Whiplash — This is a soft-tissue injury caused by forceful and rapid back and forth movement of the neck. Loss of mobility, chronic pain, numbness in the extremities and other symptoms can result. Rear-end collisions and side-impact (T-bone) crashes are common causes of whiplash.
• Fractured vertebrae — The bones that make up the spinal column can break, requiring extended bed rest to heal properly. Healing is often incomplete and the loss of structural integrity in the back is often permanent.
• Spinal cord injuries — Trauma or breakage in the spinal cord can interrupt the nerve signals to and from the brain, causing loss of control and even paralysis below the affected area.
• Herniated discs — The cushions between the vertebrae can bulge or slip, putting pressure on the spinal column that sends pain signals throughout the body. If discs do not heal adequately, they leave the victim with chronic pain. 
• Strains and sprains — Muscles and ligaments can tear, weakening the back and requiring physical therapy to restore strength and mobility.

A slip and fall or trip and fall accident, especially from a height or onto a hard surface, can cause just as much spinal damage as a car crash. Compressed and fractured vertebrae, herniated discs and spinal cord trauma are possible results.

Symptoms of back and spine pain after a car accident 

The shock of a car crash can elicit an adrenaline response that masks the pain of your injuries. Hopped up on adrenaline, you might not realize you are hurt until hours pass and the pain sets in. At this point, you’re bound to feel a variety of symptoms, which can include: 

• Neck or back pain, which might be a stabbing sensation or a dull ache
• Pain radiating through the shoulders or down the extremities
• Numbness or tingling throughout the arms or legs
• Headaches 
• Stiffness and limited range of motion
• Dizziness 
• Problems walking, standing or sitting 

For safety’s sake and in order to document your injuries for your accident claim, you should immediately seek medical attention, even if you don’t think you’re badly hurt. Then, call a car accident lawyer.

How can a lawyer help you with your case?

When you’re seriously injured, you don’t want to be burdened with a legal battle. An experienced injury lawyer can:

• Investigate the circumstances of your accident
• Interview witnesses and preserve physical evidence
• Identify those at fault
• Consult medical and financial experts to ascertain the full extent of your losses
• Estimate the true value of your case
• Negotiate your claim from a position of strength
• Take your case to trial if necessary

For all these reasons, you should retain a proven attorney as soon as possible after an accident.

Contact our Pittsburgh spinal injury attorneys to schedule a free consultation 

Phil DiLucente & Associates, LLC represents accident victims with back injuries in the Pittsburgh area. For a free consultation with an experienced attorney, please call 1.800.GET.PHIL or contact us online.