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Nashville Back and Neck Injury Attorneys Protect Your Rights

Fighting for the rights of the injured throughout Tennessee from offices in Nashville, Hendersonville, and Clarksville

While the human back is incredibly strong, it is also a complex network of nerves, muscle, bone, and tissue held together in a delicate structure that supports everything we do. Most people don’t give their backs a single thought until they’ve been injured in an accident. Once they begin experiencing pain and limited range of motion, it’s hard to think of anything else. Back injuries are one of the most common injuries from car accidents.

Neck injuries are another common injury suffered in auto accidents. Pinched nerves, neck sprain, and neck strain occur in car accidents when there is hyperextension and then hyperflexion of the head at the moment of impact. When a car is suddenly hit, the force of the impact causes the driver’s head to make a violent swing backward and then forward or from side to side. These powerful g-forces put tremendous pressure on the delicate structures of the neck and spine causing painful, debilitating injuries.

When you have suffered a back and neck injury in an accident caused by another's negligence, you may have many questions about how to proceed. Nashville personal injury attorney Rocky McElhaney and his team at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm are here to help. From our offices in Nashville, Hendersonville, Murfreesboro and Clarksville, we offer you sound legal guidance that will help you obtain the compensation you deserve. When you need a fighter on your side, Rocky McElhaney Law Firm is ready.

"When I was a teenager, Dad got hurt. Insurance company wouldn't pay. We lost our house. But, Dad got a lawyer and we got justice. That's the moment I decided to become an attorney. As a lawyer, I have dedicated my life to helping injury victims."

~ Rocky

What are the common types of back injuries from accidents in Nashville?

A twinge, a tightening, a sharp pain when you walk: all of these are signs of a back injury. Depending on the type of accident, how fast the vehicle was traveling, and other variables, there are several different types of back and neck injuries you might end up with. At our firm, we regularly help people who have suffered from:

  • Bulging discs
  • Herniated discs
  • Slipped discs
  • Compression fractures
  • Extruded discs
  • Pinched nerves (radiculopathy)
  • Nerve compression
  • Muscle or ligament strains
  • Neck sprains or strains, commonly referred to as “whiplash”
  • Broken bones

Sometimes your injury can heal with rest, sometimes with medical treatment. But there is always a chance that your back injury will cause a lifetime of pain and suffering.

What are the different types of disc injuries?

There are generally four kinds of disc injuries.

  • First, a disc can bulge. A bulging disc is a disc that's slightly out of place from its recommended or neutral place.
  • After bulging, the second phase is herniation. A herniated disc is a tear in the lining of the disc, the outer part of the disc.
  • After herniation, there's a protrusion. A rupture or protrusion is when the inside part, called the nucleus pulposus, leaks out and may touch a nerve.
  • Finally, there is an extrusion. An extrusion is where the inner part is completely out, broken off, and floating within the spinal canal. When the disc comes out, it irritates nerves which can send nerve impulses. This can cause pain, burning, and tingling feelings either down your arms (if it's a neck injury) or down your legs (if it's a back injury).

If you have these symptoms after a car wreck or any type of Nashville accident, it's likely you may have some type of disc injury. The way doctors determine if you have a disc injury is to perform an MRI scan. An MRI is a high-tech medical device made specifically to determine injuries to these types of small soft tissues. An x-ray is for bone. An MRI is more for disc material. Other possible tests include bone scans and nerve conduction studies.

What are the treatments for back and neck injuries in Nashville?

The Mayo Clinic states that common treatments for back injuries include over-the-counter pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and topical pain relievers. In severe cases, other medications may be prescribed.

Physical therapists instruct Nashville accident victims about what exercises can help relieve their pain. In severe cases, invasive procedures may be necessary. Back procedures include corticosteroid injections, radiofrequency neurotomy, nerve stimulator implants, and surgery.

The treatments for neck injuries, according to the Mayo Clinic, include similar (but not identical) to those prescribed for the back, including over-the-counter medications and pain relievers.  Physical therapy for the neck can help. Other treatments for the neck include a TENS unit. TENS is short for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Additional neck treatments include the use of a soft collar (for a short period of time) and traction which may help gently stretch the neck. Invasive procedures include injections and surgery.

What types of accidents cause back and neck injuries?

Any type of injury that causes someone in Tennessee to fall or be struck on their back or that causes their back or neck to move in an unnatural way can cause back and neck injuries. Some of the types of accidents our Nashville back and neck injury lawyers handle include:

We work with investigators to determine how an accident happened and who is responsible. We work with your doctors and our network of medical experts to show the accident caused your back and neck injuries. They also help illustrate the treatment you need and the full range of ways your injuries are making every part of your life difficult.

How do you fight for victims with residual or permanent back and neck injuries?

Depending on your age and your level of health and fitness, you might recover fully from your back or neck injury, or you could be dealing with the residual effects of the injury for the rest of your life, If your pain and suffering is caused by a spinal cord injury, you might face permanent paralysis and need lifelong care. When you are facing life with residual pain and limited range of motion from a back and neck injury, make sure you have the services of one of our experienced Nashville injury lawyers here at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm at your disposal.

What damages can Nashville back and neck injury accident victims claim?

At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we are here to fight for your right to compensation for your injuries. We understand that it sometimes takes years before your back and neck are fully healed. We recognize this might cause you to lose income and incur ongoing medical expenses.

We demand compensation for all your current and future damages including:

  • Medical bills. Some back and neck injury victims require ER care and surgery. Most victims require doctor visits, extensive rehabilitative therapy, and medications. Some victims may require assistive devices.
  • Lost income. If your back or neck injuries prevent you from working, we demand that the responsible parties pay for your lost income and lost benefits – including compensation for a permanent disability.
  • Pain and suffering. Many back and neck injury victims live with chronic physical pain and depression. They have difficulty enjoying life and performing basic daily tasks such as sleeping or sitting.

Additional damages may include property damages; any scarring or disfigurement; and loss of life’s pleasures.

We take all these factors into consideration when preparing your case. Our “Gladiators in Suits” never back down in the fight for the maximum compensation possible on your behalf.

Do you have a back and neck injury lawyer near me?

Rocky McElhaney Law Firm meets with clients at our East Nashville office, located at 615 Main St., B21. We have another Nashville office at 545 Mainstream Dr., #105.

Our lawyers also meet clients in:

  • Hendersonville: 475 Saundersville Rd.
  • Clarksville: 2197 Madison Street, Suite 103

We can also consult with you via online video calls or by phone. We’ll even meet you at your home or another location if you’re still recovering or have difficulty with mobility. All our initial consultations are free. We handle back and neck injury claims on a contingency fee basis – so you only pay us if we are successful.

Contact our experienced personal injury attorneys today. We have your back – and neck.

A serious back or neck injury can keep you out of work or away from your family and the things you love. We think you deserve better than that. We’re not afraid to stand up to those who put their profits ahead of your recovery. Call Rocky McElhaney Law Firm today at 615-425-2500 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation at our offices in Nashville, HendersonvilleMurfreesboro and Clarksville. Let us fight for you and your family.

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