A back injury from a car accident in St. Louis, Missouri, can change your life in an instant. The pain radiates through every movement, making it hard to work, sleep, or care for your family.
Insurance companies know back injuries can be expensive. They move quickly to minimize your claim, questioning your pain levels and suggesting your injuries existed before the crash. They count on you accepting less money than you need for proper treatment and recovery.
Our experienced St. Louis back injury lawyers help injured drivers pursue compensation for their back and spine injuries, including cases involving surgery, ongoing treatment, and lifetime care.
We know the medical evidence needed to prove your injury and the true cost of your recovery.
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Are you suffering a back injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident? Our back injury attorneys in St. Louis at Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers can help. Call (314) 207-9996 for a free case review today!
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Common Car Crash Back Injuries
Car accidents subject your spine to forces it was never designed to handle. These forces can damage muscles, ligaments, discs, and bones throughout your back. Back injury symptoms often appear hours or days after the crash as swelling and inflammation develop.
Herniated and Bulging Discs
Spinal discs are rubbery cushions between your vertebrae that absorb shock and allow movement. A crash can cause these discs to bulge outward or herniate, where the inner material pushes through the outer wall.
This creates pressure on nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, and weakness that can radiate into your arms or legs. More severe impacts can cause spinal cord injury with permanent consequences.
Annular Tears and Radiculopathy
An annular tear occurs when the tough outer layer of a spinal disc rips. When disc material irritates a nerve root, it causes radiculopathy – sharp, shooting pain that follows the nerve pathway. These injuries often require epidural steroid injections or surgery to provide relief.
Lumbar and Thoracic Strains and Sprains
Strains affect the muscles and tendons in your back, while sprains involve the ligaments connecting your bones. Like whiplash, insurance companies often dismiss these as minor “soft tissue” injuries, but they can cause severe pain and functional limitations that last months.
Facet Joint Injuries and SI Joint Pain
Facet joints connect your vertebrae and allow your spine to bend and twist. The sacroiliac joint connects your spine to your pelvis. Car crashes, particularly T-bone accidents, can jam or inflame these joints, creating chronic, localized pain that is difficult to diagnose without specialized injections.
Compression Fractures
The violent forces in car accidents can crack or collapse the vertebrae in your spine. These compression fractures are more common in older adults but can occur at any age. They may cause permanent changes in posture, height loss, and chronic pain.
Looking for a St. Louis back injury lawyer near me? Our law firm has been assisting car accident victims for over 35+ years. Call (314) 207-9996 now!
What To Do If Your Back Hurts After a Crash
Taking the right steps after your accident protects both your health and legal rights. Quick action ensures your injury is properly documented and prevents insurance companies from questioning the connection between the crash and your pain.
Step 1: Get Medical Attention Within 48 Hours
Seek prompt medical attention after your accident by visiting an emergency room, urgent care center, or your doctor as soon as possible.
Step 2: Avoid Insurance Company Traps
Politely decline to give recorded statements to any insurance company until you speak with a lawyer. Never sign broad medical releases or settlement documents that include “all claims” language.
These tactics are designed to minimize your compensation. Protecting your rights after a car accident requires understanding these common insurance strategies.
Step 3: Document Everything
Take photos of your visible injuries, vehicle damage, and the accident scene if possible. Keep a daily journal recording your pain levels, activities you cannot do, and how the injury affects your life. This documentation becomes valuable evidence later.
Step 4: Contact Beck & Beck for Free Case Review
Contact our skilled attorneys immediately for a free consultation. We review your case the same day and explain your rights without any obligation. We protect you from insurance company tactics while you focus on getting better.
How Our Back Injury Lawyers in St. Louis Build Your Case
Building a strong back injury case starts immediately after your accident. We move fast to preserve evidence that disappears quickly, like surveillance footage and witness memories. Our team coordinates with your doctors to ensure your injuries are properly documented from day one.
Our skilled St. Louis personal injury attorneys investigate every detail of your crash. This includes examining the accident scene, reviewing police reports, and interviewing witnesses. When fault is disputed, we work with accident reconstruction experts who can prove exactly how the other driver caused your crash.
Our systematic approach includes:
- Preserving all crash scene evidence and witness information
- Obtaining complete medical records and diagnostic imaging
- Calculating your full damages, including future medical needs
- Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies
- Filing a lawsuit if insurers refuse fair compensation
We handle every aspect of your case while you focus on healing. You never have to worry about dealing with insurance adjusters or missing important deadlines.
Why Choose Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers?
Back pain after a car accident can make simple tasks feel impossible. You might struggle to work, sleep, or even pick up your children. At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we understand how a back injury changes everything about your daily life.
We are Missouri’s only law firm that handles exclusively auto accident cases. This focus means our award-winning auto accident law firm knows exactly how insurance companies try to minimize back injury claims. Our family has been fighting for injured drivers since 1990, recovering over $105 million for our clients.
We handle every type of back injury case, from muscle strains that heal in weeks to spinal surgeries that change your life forever. Our experience helps us show insurance companies the real cost of your injury.
- 24/7 Availability: Your pain doesn’t follow business hours, and neither do we. Call us nights, weekends, or holidays when you need answers most.
- Medical Connections: Finding the right spine doctor can be difficult. We help connect you with qualified specialists who understand car accident injuries.
- No Upfront Costs: You pay us nothing unless we win your case. This contingency fee arrangement means we only succeed when you do.
- Trial Ready: Insurance companies know we will take cases to court. This reputation helps us negotiate better settlements for our clients.
How To Know If You Have a Back Injury Claim
If another driver’s carelessness caused your crash and back injury, you likely have a valid claim. Negligence is when someone fails to drive safely and causes harm to others. This includes texting while driving, running red lights, or following too closely.
Your back injury claim is valid even in these common situations:
- Rear-end collisions that cause whiplash and disc damage
- Side-impact crashes that compress your spine
- Head-on accidents that cause severe spinal trauma
Many people worry that previous back problems will hurt their case. Missouri law protects you here. If the accident made your existing condition worse, you can still recover compensation. Even minor crashes can cause serious back injuries because your spine absorbs tremendous force during impact.
What Is My Back Injury Case Worth in Missouri?
Back injury settlements vary widely based on your specific situation. Minor soft tissue injuries might settle for thousands of dollars, while cases requiring surgery can be worth hundreds of thousands. The value depends on your injury severity, treatment needs, and how the injury affects your life.
Insurance companies often make quick, low offers before you understand your injury’s full impact. They hope you will accept less money than you deserve. We make sure you know the true value of your claim before making any decisions.
Injury Type | Typical Settlement Range | Key Value Factors |
Soft Tissue Strain | $5,000 – $25,000 | Recovery time, physical therapy needs |
Herniated Disc (Conservative Treatment) | $20,000 – $100,000 | Pain level, injection treatments required |
Spinal Surgery Cases | $75,000 – $500,000+ | Surgery type, permanent limitations |
Missouri law allows you to recover compensation for future medical care. This is crucial for back injuries that may require ongoing treatment or additional surgeries years later.
Who Pays My Back Injury Medical Bills?
Missouri follows an at-fault system, meaning the negligent driver’s insurance must pay your medical bills. However, you need immediate medical care while your case develops. Several options can help pay for treatment right away.
Your health insurance typically covers emergency treatment and ongoing care. They will seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurance later. Medical Payments coverage on your auto policy can also pay bills regardless of who caused the crash.
- Health Insurance: Covers treatment immediately, seeks reimbursement later
- MedPay Coverage: Your auto policy pays medical bills up to your coverage limit
- Treatment Liens: Medical providers agree to wait for payment from your settlement
We coordinate with all parties to ensure you get necessary treatment without paying out-of-pocket. At case resolution, we negotiate with your health insurance and medical providers to reduce what you owe, maximizing your final recovery.
What If I Had Prior Back Problems?
Having previous back problems does not prevent you from recovering compensation in Missouri. The law requires negligent drivers to take responsibility for all harm they cause, including making existing conditions worse. This is called the eggshell plaintiff rule.
What matters is proving the accident aggravated your pre-existing condition. We look for evidence such as new symptoms in different areas, increased pain severity that affects your daily life, or the need for additional treatment you did not require before.
Being honest with your doctors about your medical history actually strengthens your case. We know how to work with medical experts to show how the new trauma worsened your old problem.
What If I’m Partly at Fault in Missouri?
Missouri uses pure comparative fault, which means you can recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident.
Your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. In Missouri, if you are found partially at fault for an accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Insurance companies exploit this rule by exaggerating your fault to pay less money. They make unfounded arguments like claiming you were following too closely in a rear-end crash or should have avoided an obviously negligent driver.
We fight these blame-shifting tactics with solid evidence and expert testimony. Our experience helps protect your right to full compensation under Missouri law.
How Long Do I Have To File in Missouri?
Missouri gives you five years from your accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. While this seems like plenty of time, waiting can seriously damage your case. Critical evidence disappears quickly after accidents.
Surveillance footage from nearby businesses may be erased or recorded over after a short period of time. Skid marks fade from roadways, and accident scenes change. Witness memories become less reliable as time passes. Medical gaps between your accident and treatment give insurance companies ammunition to deny your claim.
We recommend contacting a lawyer immediately after your accident. This allows us to preserve evidence while it is still available and ensure your rights are protected from the start.
Evidence That Strengthens Back Injury Claims
Strong evidence makes the difference between a fair settlement and a lowball offer. We know exactly what insurance companies need to see to take your claim seriously. Our experience helps us gather the most persuasive evidence for your specific injury.
Medical Imaging and Objective Findings
MRI scans show disc damage, nerve compression, and soft tissue injuries that insurance companies cannot dispute. EMG tests measure nerve function and prove nerve damage. We help you get proper diagnostic testing that documents your injuries objectively.
Treatment Records and Care Consistency
Consistent medical treatment proves your injury is genuine and ongoing. Gaps in treatment allow insurance companies to argue you have healed. We help you maintain appropriate care while building the strongest possible medical record.
Work Restrictions and Lost Income
Doctor-imposed work restrictions prove your injury affects your earning ability. We gather employment records, pay stubs, and employer statements to document your financial losses accurately.
Scene Documentation and Expert Analysis
Photographs, video footage, and witness statements preserve crucial details about how your accident happened. When fault is disputed, we work with reconstruction experts who can prove the other driver’s negligence caused your injuries.
Insurance Company Tactics We Stop
Insurance companies protect their profits by minimizing payouts to injured people. They use predictable tactics against back injury victims that we have seen thousands of times. Our experience helps us shut down these strategies before they hurt your case.
- “Degenerative Changes” Argument: They claim age-related wear caused your pain, not the accident. We prove the crash triggered your current symptoms.
- “Treatment Gap Attacks”: They argue gaps in care mean you are fine. We explain valid reasons for treatment delays like work obligations or temporary improvement.
- “Low Impact Claims”: They say minor vehicle damage means minor injuries. We use medical evidence showing low-speed crashes cause serious disc injuries.
- “Exaggerated Recovery Claims”: They argue you should be better by now. We document ongoing limitations with your treating physicians.
We have seen every insurance company trick and know how to respond effectively. Our reputation for thorough preparation and trial readiness helps us negotiate better settlements for our clients.
Knowledgeable Back Injury Law Firm in St. Louis, MO
Do not face insurance companies alone after a back injury. We offer completely free consultations with no pressure or obligation. During this meeting, we listen to your story, review your accident details, and explain your legal options clearly.
We can meet at your home or hospital if you cannot travel. Bring any documents you have, including police reports, insurance information, and medical records. However, do not worry if you do not have everything – we can obtain missing documents for you.
Time is critical in back injury cases. Evidence disappears, deadlines approach, and insurance companies become more aggressive over time. The sooner you call, the better we can protect your rights and maximize your recovery.
Back Injury Car Accident FAQ
How much compensation can I get for a herniated disc from a car accident?
The settlement value for a herniated disc after a car accident can vary widely based on factors such as the need for surgery and how the injury affects your ability to work and enjoy daily activities.
Can I file a claim if my back pain started several days after the crash?
Yes, delayed back pain is extremely common after car accidents due to adrenaline and gradual inflammation, and we successfully handle many cases where symptoms appeared days or weeks later.
Will having previous back problems prevent me from winning my case?
No, Missouri law allows recovery when accidents aggravate pre-existing conditions, and we regularly prove how crashes made existing back problems significantly worse.
Who covers the cost of MRI scans and spine injections after my accident?
Your health insurance or MedPay coverage typically pays for diagnostic tests and treatment initially, then the at-fault driver’s insurance reimburses these costs through your settlement.
Should I use my MedPay coverage for back injury treatment?
Yes, MedPay is coverage you have already paid for that covers medical bills regardless of fault, making it an excellent way to get treatment without upfront costs.
How long does it take to settle a back injury case in Missouri?
The timeline for resolving a back injury case can vary significantly, with some cases settling more quickly and others—especially those involving surgery or complex disputes—taking longer to reach a conclusion.
Is it safe to give a recorded statement to the insurance company?
No, you should politely decline recorded statements until speaking with an attorney, as insurance companies use these statements to find reasons to deny or reduce claims.
Do I need an MRI to prove my back injury in court?
While MRI results provide strong evidence of disc injuries, we can prove back injury cases using medical records, doctor testimony, and documented symptoms even without imaging.
What does it cost to hire Beck & Beck for my back injury case?
Nothing upfront – we work on contingency, meaning we only get paid a percentage of your settlement if we win, and you owe us nothing if we do not recover money for you.
