Can a Car Accident Cause a Herniated Disc?

October 6, 2021 | Accidents,Personal Injury

Herniated discs can result in incredible pain, and it is not uncommon for vehicle accidents to cause a herniated disc injury. Here, we want to discuss how a vehicle accident can cause a herniated disc, as well as the main signs and symptoms of these injuries. Since herniated disks are such a painful type of personal injury  often sustained after an accident, we will discuss whether or not an individual can recover compensation if they sustain a herniated disc injury in a Washington car accident.

What is a Herniated Disc?

When we look at information available from the Mayo Clinic, we can see that a herniated disc refers to an issue with the rubbery cushions (discs) that sit between individual bones in the spine (vertebrae). These discs have a soft jelly-like center that is surrounded by a tougher rubbery exterior. If a disc is ruptured or herniated, this means that part of the middle portion of a disc pushes through to the tough exterior of the disc.

Herniated discs can occur along any area of the spine, and they could irritate nearby nerves. Depending on where the herniated disc is located, this can result in numbness or weakness in an arm or leg as well as extreme pain for the individual. Herniated discs can be caused by natural aging processes, as well as degenerative disc disease. Additionally, traumatic events, including vehicle accidents, can increase the chances that a person will experience a herniated disc.

What to do if You Have a Herniated Disc After a Car Accident

If you experience a herniated disc after a vehicle accident, or even if you just have back pain after an accident, you need to seek medical care immediately. Medical treatment is critical for a few reasons. First, this ensures your well-being and can start you on a treatment plan to ensure that you do not worsen the injury and that you can get on the path to recovery. 

Second, prompt medical treatment helps provide proof for insurance carriers and personal injury juries that the vehicle accident caused the herniated disc. It is important to understand that insurance carriers will regularly try to say that herniated discs were not caused by the vehicle accident and that a person already had the injury before the incident occurred. By seeking medical care right after a crash, you will help substantiate that the herniated disc occurs as a result of the incident in question.

It is crucial for any person who has sustained a herniated disc due to a car accident to continue all medical treatment recommended by their doctor. Yes, there may be a point where medicines and some treatment make the injury feel better or seem like it is gone altogether. However, without following through on a doctor’s treatment plan, individuals may not be able to recover the full amount of insurance compensation that they would otherwise receive.

Contact an Attorney for Help

If you or somebody you care about has sustained a herniated disc in a Washington vehicle accident, you need to seek medical care and legal assistance as soon as possible. A skilled Seattle car accident attorney can help investigate every aspect of your claim, determine liability for the incident, and make sure that you recover complete compensation for your injuries. An attorney can make sure that you are evaluated by trusted medical professionals who will put your treatment above all else and who can help properly value your total claim.