Many Accidents Can Cause Herniated Discs at C4/C5 or C5/C6. Here’s What You Should Know.
September 29, 2023 | J.L. King, II
Herniated discs are a common injury in car accidents and other types of personal injury incidents. These injuries can be extremely painful and can impact the rest of your life.
If you are involved in an accident, seek medical attention immediately and contact an experienced personal injury lawyer.
What Is a Herniated Disc, and How Do Car Accidents Cause Them?
There are spinal discs between each bone in the spine that hold the vertebrae together. These discs have a rubbery texture and are filled with fluid. If you are injured in a car accident, the fluid in a disc may begin to leak. This injury is known as a herniated disc.
Following a car accident, there may be a herniated disc in the neck area, as it is unrestrained and whipping around. The most commonly injured vertebrae include the C4/C5 and C5/C6 in the cervical spine.
The trauma that occurs in these accidents can lead to herniated discs, causing pain to radiate from the nerves in the spine to other parts of the body.
The following are symptoms that a herniated disc can cause when it presses on a nerve root:
- Pain that radiates
- Weakness
- Tingling
- Loss of dexterity
While a herniated disc can be extremely painful, it is often difficult to diagnose immediately following an accident. If you sustain injuries in a car accident, you will likely go to the emergency room for treatment. In the emergency room, medical professionals may take an X-ray. However, spinal discs are typically seen using a CT scan or MRI.
A herniated disc can be a complicated injury to treat, as accident victims will experience varying pain levels.
How Does Having a Pre-Existing Spinal Injury Affect a Herniated Disc Claim?
Having a pre-existing spinal cord injury will likely complicate your herniated disc claim. A defendant will attempt to use a pre-existing injury to explain your current condition. However, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you establish that your injuries are due to the accident.
If you were experiencing pain prior to the accident, you will need to show that your condition has worsened after the incident. If your treatment and quality of life have been altered due to the accident, you are more likely to receive the compensation you deserve.
What Is the Value of a Herniated Disc Claim?
The value of your case will likely depend on the severity of your herniated disc injury, the treatment needed, and the impact that the injury has on your daily life.
The following are damages that may be pursued in a herniated disc claim:
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy
- Diagnostic testing
- Past lost wages
- Future lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Chronic pain
- Loss of consortium
An experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine what your case is worth and get you fair compensation.
What to Do if You Sustain a Spinal Cord Injury in an Accident
Whether you slip and fall on a wet grocery store floor or are rear-ended by a truck, spinal injuries can be terrifying and catastrophic. Knowing what to do if you are injured in an accident can help you prepare for what’s to come.
The following are steps to take if you are injured in an accident:
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Notify law enforcement and subsequently obtain an accident report
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene
- Exchange insurance and contact information
- Take notes regarding what occurred
- Gather witness statements and contact information
- Notify the insurance company
- Consult an experienced personal injury lawyer
If you are experiencing pain following an accident, it is important to receive immediate treatment and continue to follow up with your healthcare provider.
Herniated discs can lead to complicated personal injury cases. A skilled personal injury lawyer can help you navigate this difficult process and get the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm For Help Today
For more information, please contact The King Firm at your nearest location to schedule a free case evaluation today.
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