Chronic back pain has a significant impact on quality of life. Back injuries are among the most common types of bodily trauma that result from a car accident, caused by the force of a collision which whips the body back and forth as the seatbelt functions to keep the motorist from expulsion from the vehicle. Herniated discs are a common back injury caused by car accidents and can occur even in low-speed accidents. This injury can affect motorists of any age but is more common in older accident victims, especially those with degenerative disc disease which affects about 20% of people over the age of 65.
Make sure to contact a car accident lawyer in Everett today if you have a herniated disc from a car accident in Washington.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
The spinal discs are cushiony, fluid-filled pads between the vertebrae in the back, meant to allow flexibility without bone rubbing against bone. Discs act as shock absorbers as we function in our daily lives. Unfortunately, the substantial trauma of a car accident can cause the rubbery surface of the disc to crack or rupture, causing the cushioning gel to bulge outward, pressing against the nerves in the back. Depending on the severity of the herniated disc, the two bones separated by the damaged disc may make direct contact causing pain and stiffness. The pressure from a herniated disc may also interfere with nerve signals sent along the spinal cord, resulting in numbness or tingling in the extremities.
As people age, the rubbery surface of the spinal discs dries out, making them more likely to rupture during an accident.
What Do I Do If I Have a Herniated Disc After a Car Accident?
After any car accident that’s more serious than a minor parking lot fender-bender, a motorist should always seek a medical examination as soon as possible—preferably right from the accident scene. This not only treats obvious injuries, but by requesting a thorough examination, it can identify injuries that might not show symptoms right away, especially during the adrenaline rush of a car accident.
Early identification of a herniated disc helps to mitigate the trauma by controlling inflammation in the area with appropriate treatment. It also documents that the injury occurred in the car accident so the insurance company cannot dispute your compensation claim later. Insurers sometimes deny claims for herniated discs if the car accident victim is a senior citizen or if they have a medical history of degenerative disc disease even if the car accident worsened the condition or caused a burst disc.
What If I Delayed Treatment Until the Pain Increased?
Some car accident victims attribute the mild pain and stiffness they experience in their back to the natural consequence of a car accident and assume it’s caused by bruising. They may delay treatment believing it will heal in time like a typical strain. Although some insurance companies dispute compensation claims for herniated discs, especially if the accident victim delayed treatment, providing ample evidence through medical imaging, a doctor’s report, and testimony from medical expert witnesses can prove your case through a preponderance of evidence.
How Can a Washington Car Accident Lawyer Help?
No one should have to live with the pain and expense of a herniated disc when the car accident was caused by another driver’s negligent or reckless actions, yet this is one of the most commonly disputed car accident injury claims. Even those with a history of degenerative disc disease have a right to compensation if the accident worsens their condition. Call the Everett injury attorneys fromWells Trumbull for legal counsel and experienced representation throughout the process of your car accident claim so we can help you obtain the largest possible settlement amount for your herniated disc injury.