Alabama 18 Wheeler Accidents and Spine Injuries

18-wheeler and tractor trailer accidents account for a large percentage of spinal injuries in Alabama every year, particularly around the Birmingham metro area. However, some conservative juries are skeptical of a claimant's spinal injuries when the impact speeds are relatively minor or when the property damage is minor. This article addresses common spinal injury issues associated with truck accidents.
Our firm commonly sees 18 wheeler accident victims with various back and neck injuries. Unlike garden-variety auto wrecks, a confrontation with a heavy commercial vehicle generates greater forces upon the human spine. Stated differently, a low speed hit from a loaded tractor-trailer is more likely to do damage than a higher speed impact from a standard automobile. Common injuries to the spine include:

* Herniated disk;
* Bulging disk;
* Nerve damage; and
* Aggravation of pre-existing osteoporosis.

The majority of everyone over 40 has the beginnings of degenerative disk disease in their spine. This only increases with age. On more than one occasion, nursing home residen

ts have suffered a ruptured disk simply from sneezing! This pre-existing condition renders a person more susceptible to the insult of a spine injury, particularly from a rear-end collision by a 18 wheeler.

Treatment for a disk injury can include conservative treatment, such as therapy and over-the-counter medication, or more aggressive treatment in the form of epidural blocks and/or surgery.

If you have been involved in a truck wreck and are suffering from back or neck pain, standard emergency room treatment and x-rays are generally ineffective to truly determine the extent of your injury. An orthopedic physician or neurosurgeon is qualified to order and interpret an MRI(magnetic resonance imaging) so he can properly diagnose your problem. Additionally, Alabama personal injury law requires a physician's opinion as to whether your spine injury was caused by the accident with the 18 wheeler.

Finally, you may need help from an Alabama 18-wheeler accident attorney if the insurance adjuster fails to appreciate the severity of your injury. It is not uncommon for a trucking company's insurance adjuster to offer a settlement based only on the total medical bills with no allowance made for future medical treatment, pain and suffering or loss of earning capacity. An attorney can guide you through the legal process and work with your doctor to document your injury.