What is a herniated disc?
A herniation of the lumbar spine disc can cause nerve damage. This can lead to radiating discomfort. A disc is a fluid-filled circular form between the vertebrae of your spine. Intervertebral discs provide your spine with cushioning. Intervertebral Discs protect your spine from injury and absorb stress.
There are many nerves that connect to the spine. These nerves transmit sensations like numbness or discomfort throughout your body. These nerves are close to your spine and vital for the health of all your nervous systems. Your brain and spinal column allow nerves to communicate with other parts. A well-made disc should not pinch nearby nerves. Pressure is applied to the disc and causes herniation.
Can a car accident cause herniated discs?
A car accident can cause a herniated spine. Your spinal cavity may be pushed into by one of your vertebrae, which are the bones on your spine. This can cause pressure, irritation, or compress your spinal cord. This bundle of nerves transmits messages from your brain to different parts of your body.
How to treat a herniated disc after a car accident
Your discs that cushion your spine or back are very small. It is not uncommon for disc injuries to cause bulges and herniations. A herniated spine can be caused by an injury or degenerative disc. When pressed on a nerve, herniated discs can cause leg pain and numbness or back pain.
Herniated spines can be treated with rest, medication, exercise and rest. Sometimes, surgery may be required. Dial 911 if the victim of a slipped disctal has lost bladder control and bowel control, is unable or unwilling to move their legs, or is suffering from weakness.
STEP 1. TREAT THE PAIN
You can change your position or adjust your posture to relieve any discomfort immediately. Many people find it comfortable to lie on their backs, with their legs bent at 90 degrees and their feet on a chair. Apply a cold compress for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications (including Motrin/Aleve/Advil/Naprosyn) can be used.
STEP 2: LET THE PATIENT REST
Don’t stay still for longer than a day. When you feel fully recovered, get back to work immediately. Avoid lifting and pushing.
STEP 3 CONSULTATION WITH A DOCTOR
All slipped discs need to be evaluated.
STEP 4. FOLLOW UP TREATMENTS
A doctor might recommend injections of anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relief medications, or muscle relaxants. Six weeks is a common timeframe for improvement. Back surgery may be necessary if the back is not in good health.
You should be aware that there are three signs that a herniated disc is present
You may feel pain in your legs or back if your disc in the spine bulges/tears. Here are three signs your lower back pain could be caused by a bulging or herniated disc.
PAIN WHILE SLEEPING
Some estimates suggest that sitting puts a lot of strain on your lower spine discs. If your bulging disc or herniated disc becomes visible, lower back pain may worsen.
PAIN RELIEVING THE DOWN YOUR EEG (SCIATICA)
A bulging disc or herniated disc located in the lower back is more common near or at the nerve root. This nerve root can be found in the posterior, side or middle of the spine. You can affect these nerve roots using either one of the methods described below or both.
Direct compression The spinal canal is where the spinal nerve root exits.
Chemical irritation. Chemical irritation can occur if chemical irritants are released from a herniated disc.
This can affect the nerve roots’ ability to function. Burning sensations, weakness, or numbness will be felt along the front, rear, legs, feet, and/or thighs. Sciatica is the name for these symptoms. Sciatica is usually limited to one leg at a time.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES TO AGGRAVATE PAIN
Some activities can cause sciatica and lower back pain. Inflammation of the discs in the lumbar spine can lead to intense and fast-growing pain. More often than one injury, pain is caused by multiple factors. It seems as though the pain just happened out of nowhere. This illness is not usually dangerous. It can cause severe pain. Disc herniation occurs when almost 90% of patients don’t experience pain for six weeks.
What are other causes of herniated discs?
There are many reasons why a herniated spinal column can occur. The most common reason is when your intervertebral cushions (the space between your vertebrae), bursts, or becomes bulging. This disc can occupy more space than it requires, which can cause severe pain.
TEAR AND WEAR SPINE
Both spinal strain and daily wear and tear can cause herniated discs. This is also known as “degeneration”. Our weight is distributed and supported by the intervertebral spinal spines in our back. They also absorb injury from movement (such as twisting, walking, or twisting and turning). Our discs are flexible and can be worn out. When the outer annulus fibrous layer starts to deteriorate, a disc can bulge or herniate. This allows the nucleus pulposus, an inner jelly-like, to push through.
INJURY
Trauma can cause ruptured or herniated discs. A disc may herniate following an accident, for example. The disc is under too much pressure. Disc herniation can be caused by excessive twisting or incorrect lifting of heavy objects.
A COMBINATION DEGENERATION/INJURY
Trauma to the intervertebral disc and wear and tear (degeneration) can cause herniated discs. Your disc may be too weak to allow even minor incidents to cause a herniated. Sneezing is the most common reason for disc herniation. Although it might not seem as if sneezing causes disc herniation, if you have already weak discs, sneezing can trigger herniation.
How to handle a herniated disc after a car accident
These are the steps you should take if your disc has been damaged in a car accident.
- Examine immediately. Proper diagnosis and medical treatment can treat a herniated spinal cord. The earlier someone seeks treatment, they have a better chance of recovering and avoiding permanent damage. As an injury lawyer, I strongly recommend that people seek medical attention as soon as they can. This will allow them to return to their lives as normal and make a full recovery. Your doctor should be able to diagnose any more serious injuries immediately. disc extrusion is one example. This can lead to permanent spinal cord injury.
- Get medical attention to determine if you have a herniated disc. Your symptoms must be identified before a doctor can treat you. Proper diagnostic testing will allow you to receive the best treatment and refer the appropriate people. An x-ray taken in an emergency department or doctor’s office will not show a herniated disc.
- It is best to report any disc injuries from an accident as soon as possible. This will prevent future problems with your insurance company. You can document your injury early by going to the emergency room or by visiting your family doctor. It is crucial to note the symptoms of a severe injury as soon as possible. This will help you avoid problems such as insurance companies refusing to pay for medical treatment or denying there was a causal connection. It is more likely that your insurance company will pay for your medical expenses if you get treatment quickly and have the necessary documentation.
- Your lawyer will need to establish a clear connection between the collision and the treatment of the condition or injury. This is essential for obtaining a fair legal settlement. If you delay getting treatment or fail to provide important documentation, you will not be able get your injuries under control and recover quickly. This will make it more difficult for your lawyer to pay your bills, and ultimately, for you to get a fair settlement.
- Do not try to “tough it out” with this injury. This can cause permanent pain and disability if you do not seek medical attention immediately. As an injury lawyer, I have seen this happen several times. People believe they don’t need to “complain.” In a matter of days or weeks, what people thought would be a minor injury would heal quickly, becomes a more serious injury. This injury can be like a ticking bomb in your back. It could get worse if more disc material or fragments of disc protrude from your annulus.
- An experienced lawyer will be able help victims of car accidents. A majority of lawyers are skilled in helping people with a herniated spinal cord after a car accident. Your initial call to your insurer will be free. Information about your rights regarding medical care, wage loss and other issues will be provided to you. An attorney can help you review your medical records and determine the value of your case in the event of your disability or pain being caused by negligence or carelessness.
- Your auto insurance should be informed about your herniated spine following a car accident. This information must be included in any application for No Fault benefits if you are a Michigan resident. This is also known as your “written notice of injury” and must reach your No-fault auto insurance company within one year.
- Do not sign any settlements. You may not sign any releases or waivers relating to your accident.
What if my neck or back was hurt before the accident?
A disc herniation can occur after a car accident.
Our discs become more susceptible to injury as we age and become less hydrated. This is disc degradation, and it is common as part of the aging process. Disc degeneration is a condition that causes discs to become more rigid and more prone to burst or herniate from trauma, such as a car crash.
The law states that the defendant is entitled to the plaintiff’s identity. This legal theory is commonly known as the Eggshell Doctrine. If a plaintiff suffers from a broken spine, the defendant can be held liable for causing further pain or reinjuring her condition.
The jury will evaluate the damages of the plaintiff if the case in a car accident involving herniated discs is not settled before trial. The jury will then determine the damages related to the accident. The jury may award all the pain and suffering resulting from the accident if it is unable to or unwilling to assign pain to pre-existing disc injury.
This is a complicated legal topic. Let’s take an example. Johnny could be considered to have a prior disc herniation if his cervical disc herniation is C5-6.
Johnny can sue Billy if he causes more cervical pain or aggravation to his preexisting disc herniation.
A jury will determine how much Johnny’s suffering, pain and other factors should be considered. There are many options for Johnny to receive his full damages if the jury is unable to determine the difference between Johnny’s pain levels prior and after the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions about herniated discs following car accidents
WHERE CAN YOU GET A HERNIATED DISC?
A herniated spinal cord could occur in your neck, mid-back (thoracic), and lower back (thoracic). Your medical records are the best place to look for signs of axial pain. Axial discomfort affects only the neck and lower back.
WHAT IS A CLAIM INVOLVING THE HERNIATED DISSC WORTH?
It can sometimes be difficult to calculate the value of a herniated disc claim. There are many factors that affect the value of a cervical herniated disc claim. These components can help you determine the value of a cervical herniated disc injury claim.
- Accident severity;
- What type and severity of the injury?
- What kind of treatment is required for herniated discs?
- Information about the victim’s medical history and age
- Doctors can give you a prognosis.
- Both economic and non-economic losses (loss of enjoyment or enjoyment) can cause pain and suffering.
- How much insurance you have and who was responsible.
Pre-existing conditions can affect your injury claim. Insurance companies will likely undervalue or dismiss injury claims that involve a herniated disc or injured disc following an accident. Some argue that if you have a medical condition, are older, or suffered a cervical spine injury, you should receive less compensation than someone without such factors.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE PAYOUT POUR HERNIATED DISC
A herniated spine disc can lead to severe injuries and a long recovery period. There are many ways you could qualify for compensation. The average settlement for herniated spinal cords is $360,000. Median range: $65,000
In the majority of workplace accidents, disc herniation is a common occurrence. Criminal sanctions could be imposed on any responsible party, even the at-fault driver. Workers’ compensation benefits can be obtained through the employer’s insurance for those who are injured in an accident at work. Injuries that are severe enough to require medical attention can result from compression.