Palm Bay Spine Injury Lawyer

When an accident occurs, a spinal injury is an outcome no one wants to hear. These injuries may cause short-term or long-term disability, chronic pain, and mobility challenges. Day-to-day life may change dramatically for the injured party. For this reason, Florida law often allows additional compensation for people who sustain a spine injury in an accident. Not only can the injured party receive compensation to cover the initial medical treatment, but courts often award compensation to help the individual adjust to the resulting major life changes. Palm Bay accident lawyers represent plaintiffs who become injured as a result of someone else’s actions.

Spine injuries caused by car accidents

The average car accident involves two to three instances of impact. The primary impact occurs when one vehicle strikes another. The secondary impact may occur causing the vehicle occupant’s body to strike a surface inside the vehicle. Both impacts can injure the spine. In some cases, injuries caused by the second impact may be more subtle. Common spine injuries caused by car accidents include:

• whiplash
• spinal stenosis
• spinal cord injury
• spondylolisthesis
• spinal fracture
• herniated disc

Spine injuries from slip and fall accidents

Premise accidents, also known slip and fall accidents, happen when someone creates a hazard on his or her property or premise that causes another person to fall. Vertical compression fractures are more common in slip and fall accident victims who have brittle bones. The elderly and people who have osteoporosis are often more vulnerable. If the spine twists during a slip or fall, the individual may rupture a disc, which can cause varying degrees of pain, tingling, numbness, and/or muscle weakness.

Spine injuries from pedestrian accidents

Pedestrian accident victims are at a substantially higher risk of sustaining a spinal injury in vehicle-involved accidents. In a low-speed accident, the pedestrian may have a significant, but less severe spine injury. Accidents involving higher speeds are more likely to cause severe damage to the spine. Common spinal injuries in pedestrian accidents include:

• nerve damage
• fractured or shattered vertebrae
• chronic pain
• peripheral numbness or tingling
• loss of limb function
• partial or full paralysis

Proving liability

When filing a claim for a spinal cord injury, your Palm Bay accident lawyer will work diligently to prove the other party’s conduct caused your injury. Attorneys interview witnesses, enlist the services of accident reconstruction experts, and interview medical professionals to show causation. Your lawyer will handle all pre-trial discussions and work to obtain a fair settlement for your injury. If the other party is unwilling to settle the case outside of court, your attorney will continue moving forward and defend your rights before a judge.

Receiving medical attention

The most important thing to do in the event of an accident is to ensure the injured party receives a thorough medical evaluation and treatment. Spinal injuries can become worse if left unattended by a medical professional. An accident victim may mistake a less severe spinal injury for a strained muscle or general soreness. If the spine is actually injured, the individual may require medical intervention to stabilize the spine and prevent additional nerve damage or other secondary injuries. Receiving immediate medical attention will also allow your lawyer to document the extent of your injuries more thoroughly.

Is it too late to call a lawyer?

Accident victims are often unaware of their rights. Therefore, they may initially hesitate to contact an attorney. Sometimes victims may feel intimidated, or they are unsure if they have a valid claim. Florida law affords the injured party time to decide whether he or she will take legal action. However, there are major reasons why it pays to contact an accident lawyer without delay.

Florida’s statute of limitations in spine injury cases

Florida law imposes a four-year statute of limitations in accident cases. Therefore, the injured party must file a claim within four years of the date the accident occurred if he or she wishes to seek compensation. There are a few narrow exceptions to the statute of limitations. For example, some injuries may not be readily detectible. Spine injuries sustained in car accidents and pedestrian accidents are usually detectible within days of the accident. Nevertheless, it is technically possible that an accident victim may remain unaware of an undetected spine injury for years. Cases in which the other party avoids the claim by using a false identity also qualify as exceptions to the four-year statute of limitations. Courts will also usually grant exceptions in situations in which the plaintiff is unable to properly notify the defendant of the claim.

In cases involving undetected injuries, the clock will begin to run on the date the injury party discovers–or reasonably should have discovered–the injury. The clock stops if the plaintiff is unable to reach the defendant. The court may extend the clock if the defendant has avoided the case by using a fraudulent identity.

Procedural reasons to call an accident lawyer

Law firms have superior record-keeping skills. They understand how to build an accident victim’s case from start to finish. Spine injuries typically require a great deal of energy and focus from the victim. The average person also lacks the training and experience to fully understand the legal process. For these reasons, accident victims benefit greatly from having early access to a legal professional who can focus on the logistical requirements of the accident claim.

Contact a Palm Bay spine injury attorney

The thought of contacting a Palm Bay accident lawyer may seem like a big step. Nevertheless, it is a step accident victims cannot afford to miss. Our compassionate attorney will ask questions to learn more about the facts surrounding the accident that caused your injury. You can count on us to deliver professional legal advice with your best interests as our central focus. We will advise you of your options and help you make informed decisions.

Call us today to receive a free case evaluation. We will handle the details of your case with the utmost professionalism and discretion.