Many Accidents Can Cause Herniated Discs at C4/C5 or C5/C6. Here’s What You Need to Know
Herniated discs are a common injury that accident victims sustain. These injuries are often very painful and have a lasting impact.
If you are injured in an accident, you should seek medical attention immediately and contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your options.
What Is a Herniated Disc, and How Do Accidents Cause Them?
Spinal discs hold the vertebrae together and assist with motion and absorbing shock. These discs have a rubbery exterior with a jellylike interior. When a disc is injured in an accident, the liquid center may leak out. This rupture is known as a herniated disc.
A herniated disc may put pressure on the spine and cause nerve pain to radiate throughout the body. The pain will shoot to different areas of the body, depending on where the herniated disc occurs. If the herniated disc occurs in your lower back, pain can be felt in your leg. If the herniated disc is in your neck, pain can be felt in your arm.
While herniated discs are often very painful, these injuries are rarely diagnosed in the emergency room with an X-ray following an accident. You will typically need a CT scan or MRI test for your herniated disc to be accurately diagnosed.
What Is the Most Common Type of Herniated Disc Injury Sustained in Car Accidents?
If you suffer a herniated disc in a car accident, it will likely be in your cervical spine. Unlike the rest of your body, which is restrained with a seat belt, your neck is free to jolt forward, backward, and sideways. This can easily lead to herniated discs at C4/C5 or C5/C6.
A C4/C5 injury can cause shoulder weakness, pain, and compromised nerves. If your C4/C5 injury affects your ability to work a physically demanding job, your case may be worth more.
A C5/C6 injury can cause numbness, tingling, stiffness, and restricted range of motion.
How Does Having a Pre-Existing Spinal Injury Affect My Herniated Disc Claim?
A pre-existing spinal injury can make your herniated disc claim more complicated. Defense attorneys will want to blame your injuries on a degenerative condition. To successfully recover compensation, you will need to show that your injuries are a result of the trauma that your body sustained in the most recent accident.
What Impacts the Value of a Herniated Disc Case?
If you sustain a herniated disc in an accident, the value of your case will depend on several different factors.
The following are factors that can impact a herniated disc claim:
- The therapy and pain medication needed
- Time missed from work
- Impact on quality of life
- Back surgery
- Injections
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you accurately assess the value of your case and the extent of your damages.
What Damages Are Available in Herniated Disc Cases?
If you suffer a herniated disc, your medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses will likely begin piling up quickly. If your herniated disc was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to damages.
The following are economic and non-economic damages that may be pursued in a herniated disc case:
- Lost earning ability
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Long-term treatment
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
A skilled personal injury lawyer will work with you to recover fair compensation for your injuries.
What to Do if You Sustain a Herniated Disc in an Accident
Whether your herniated disc was caused by a slip and fall in the grocery store or a truck accident on the highway, the consequences can be catastrophic. Knowing what to do when you are injured in an accident can help your future claim and quality of life.
The following are steps to take if you are injured in an accident:
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Notify law enforcement and obtain an accident report
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene and visible injuries
- Exchange insurance and contact information
- Take notes regarding what caused your spinal injury
- Gather witness statements and information
- Notify the insurance company
- Consult a personal injury lawyer
If you are experiencing pain after an accident, you should go to the hospital and follow up with your healthcare provider.
Herniated disc cases can be complicated. However, a skilled personal injury lawyer can help you navigate this difficult process and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact our Denver Personal Injury Law Firm Today For Help
For more information please contact Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation with a Denver personal injury lawyer.
Zaner Harden Personal Injury Lawyers
1610 Wynkoop Street, Suite 120. Denver, CO 80202
(720) 613 9706
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