Herniated Disc After Car Accident: What You Need To Know
Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents on April 5, 2023
The discs in our spines provide cushioning between each vertebra, which are the bones in our spines. However, if spinal discs become herniated or ruptured due to a traumatic incident, this can lead to significant setbacks. Here, our Seattle car accident attorneys want to talk about what happens if a spinal disc is herniated as a result of a car accident and whether or not individuals can recover compensation for these types of injuries.
How a Car Accident Can Cause a Herniated Disc
Our spinal discs are little cushions that provide shock absorption between the vertebrae and the spine. Essentially, these discs make sure that the bones in our spine do not rub against one another as we go about our daily business. Discs can become herniated when the soft center of a disc begins to protrude through the tougher exterior of the desk.
Some individuals who have a herniated disc may experience no symptoms at all. Unfortunately, a herniated disc can irritate nerves in the area nearby, thus resulting in various types of symptoms, including numbness, pain, or weakness in various areas of a person’s body. Usually, the symptoms show up in an arm or leg.
Not every herniated disc injury requires immediate medical intervention. In fact, some people live with herniated discs and never know about the issue. However, that is certainly not always the case. When herniated disc treatment is needed, this can include medication and physical therapy. In some circumstances, individuals may have to undergo surgery.
Vehicle accidents could cause a herniated disc in the event the force of the collision causes a vertebra to push into the spinal canal. This could compress a spinal disc and lead to an immediate herniation.
There are several other causes of herniated discs. Often, these injuries occur for no reason other than a person is predisposed to this type of injury due to genetics. Natural wear and tear on the spine can also cause a herniated disc. Those already predisposed to degenerative disc disease will also have a higher likelihood of sustaining a herniated disc in an event such as a car accident.
How Much Compensation is Available?
There may be various types of compensation available for individuals who sustain injuries as a result of a vehicle accident caused by another driver. Compensation should be available for those who sustain a herniated disc as a result of the vehicle accident as well as those who aggravate a pre-existing herniated disc or back injury as a result of the incident.
Individuals should be able to recover compensation for all of the following:
- Any medical bills associated with the herniated disc
- Prescription medications or medical devices
- Lost wages if a victim is unable to work
- Loss of future earnings if the herniated disc leads to a disability
- Physical pain and suffering damages
- Emotional and psychological trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you or somebody you love has sustained a herniated disc or aggravated a herniated disc injury in an accident caused by the actions of another driver, reach out to a skilled attorney immediately. A Seattle personal injury attorney can investigate the incident, examine your medical records, and enlist assistance from trusted medical professionals.