If you’re experiencing significant back pain following a car accident, you may wonder exactly what the cause is. Do you have whiplash? Can a car accident cause a herniated disc? Whatever the cause of your pain, you can rely on the Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy to help you recover compensation.
Car accident injuries can cause serious strife. Pain or physical limitations can impact your ability to work or to enjoy your hobbies, while the financial strain of medical treatment can seem like an impossible burden. Easton car accident lawyer Ed Shaughnessy provides the support you need to recover. He can help you negotiate with insurance companies, offer guidance through personal injury cases, and so much more.
For decades, individuals in Easton and throughout Lehigh Valley have relied on the Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy. As your car accident lawyer, Ed Shaughnessy will advocate for your rights and build a strong personal injury case. Schedule a free consultation by calling (610) 258-9955 today.
What is a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc, also referred to as a slipped disc or a ruptured disc, is a spinal cord injury. The spinal cord relays information between the brain and the entire nervous system. Your spinal column, constructed of vertebrae and intervertebral discs, supports and protects the spinal cord. The discs are soft-tissue structures that act as a cushion between vertebrae. The soft inner layer of the disc, called a nucleus pulposus, is contained by a tough outer layer called the annulus.
Herniated discs occur when, due to either natural wear or injury, the nucleus pushes out or leaks through an annular tear. This puts pressure on the nearby nerves, causing pain and potentially leading to nerve damage. According to research shared by the National Institute of Health (NIH), more than 3 million people experience disc herniations each year in the U.S.
Bulging Disc vs. Herniated Disc
The spine’s discs can become less flexible as we age. The outer layer of the disc becomes less rigid, sometimes bulging out further than its usual structure. This is called a bulging disc. Bulging may affect the entire disc or only a portion of it. On the other hand, herniated or slipped discs only occur when an annular tear allows some of the soft inner nucleus to push or slip partially out. Both conditions can lead to long-lasting symptoms, such as chronic, permanent pain, or other spine-related health issues, such as spinal stenosis. Bulging discs are also sometimes more susceptible to annular tears.
Herniated Disc Symptoms
Some symptoms of disc herniation depend on the location of the injury and whether the disc is causing nerve impingement. When a disc herniation occurs in the cervical spine (the neck), the thoracic spine (mid-back), or the lumbar spine (lower back), you’ll likely feel pain in the corresponding areas. However, the following are common symptoms that are typically shared across different cases of disc herniation:
- Pain in/near limbs
- Chronic pain
- Muscle Weakness
- Numbness
- Tingling
It is also possible to have a herniated disc without experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above. Sometimes the herniated disk isn’t putting pressure on the surrounding nerves, making it harder to notice. If you suspect that anything is wrong with your spine, seek medical attention immediately. Don’t take lack of pain or discomfort as a sign that you don’t need medical care.
What Does a Herniated Disc Feel Like?
Sharp, burning pain in your shoulder or arm is common in cases involving cervical herniated discs. Similar painful sensations in the leg, lower back, buttocks, and foot are associated with lumbar spine disc herniation. You may experience localized pain or shooting pains traveling through your arms or legs. Some experience consistent, chronic pain. Pain may worsen when you move.
Whatever part of your nervous system is impacted by the herniated disc will, in turn, impact the connected body parts. You may feel a radiating sense of numbness or pins-and-needles tingling in the affected body part. Muscle weakness may cause unsteadiness while standing or walking. You may find lifting or holding items more difficult.
Can You Get a Herniated Disc From a Car Accident?
Yes, car accidents can cause disc herniation in the upper, middle, and lower spine. Whiplash, a common car accident injury, happens when your body whips back and forth during a car accident. This motion can particularly affect the cervical spine/neck area, potentially leading to a herniated cervical disc. While whiplash primarily affects the cervical vertebrae and discs, other violent jolts during a car accident can significantly strain the thoracic spine and lumbar spine. Easton, PA whiplash injury lawyer Ed Shaughnessy helps clients claim compensation for herniated discs resulting from whiplash or other car accident injuries.
The only way to know for certain that you have suffered a herniated disc is to seek medical care. In addition to performing standard physical examinations, doctors can use specialized equipment to examine the spinal canal. Imaging tests, such as Computed Tomography (CT) scans or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), can be particularly useful for herniated disc diagnosis. After diagnosis, your doctor can help you consider treatment options.
Types of Accidents That Can Cause Spinal Disc Injuries
Collisions often exert significant force on the body, putting stress on the spine via sudden twisting, compression, or violent motion. Even minor accidents can cause a disc herniation. Car injury lawyer Ed Shaughnessy handles herniated disc injury cases involving the following types of accidents:
Auto accidents are dangerous under any circumstances. However, when larger vehicles are involved, the potential for significant injury increases. Serious accidents, such as truck accidents, can result in disc injuries and other spinal cord injuries that require immediate medical treatment. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, don’t hesitate to contact Easton truck accident attorney Ed Shaughnessy.
Can You Sue For a Herniated Disc?
Yes, you can sue for a herniated disc after a car accident or other auto accident. The state of Pennsylvania recognizes the significant impact car accident injuries can have on one’s life, including financially. Medical bills from the initial treatment (such a diagnostic tests) and ongoing medical care (such as physical therapy) can quickly add up. When your injury prevents you from working, keeping up with the cost of healing from your injury can seem impossible. Personal injury compensation allows you to recover damages for medical costs and more.
How Do I Know if My Car Accident Caused My Disc Herniation?
Whether you’re suing for financial compensation or filing a claim with your insurance company, you will need to establish evidence of injuries following your car accident. If you’re unsure about what to do after a car accident in PA, the Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy can help.
Gather all relevant evidence. Make sure to get a copy of the police report, which serves as an objective record of events. You should also take pictures of the scene to document the accident itself. Finally, detailed documentation of your injury will prove useful for both courts and insurance companies.
Your medical history, as well as more current medical records, may be considered to determine the cause of disc herniation. Keep track of symptoms that occur following the accident, such as sudden pain, numbness, or tingling. Follow up with your doctor when symptoms occur. Doctors can determine likely causes of disc herniation through testing and help you establish that the herniation appeared after your accident.
Herniated Disc From Car Accident Settlement
Settlement amounts for herniated discs vary depending on the extent of the damages suffered by the injured individual. If you’ve suffered injuries caused by a car accident, you may be eligible for compensation to recover from both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages refer to the direct monetary costs incurred as a result of car accidents. For example, medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages are types of economic damage. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, don’t have a clear, set value. Examples of non-economic damage you may be able to settle for include pain and suffering (both physical and emotional) and loss of enjoyment of life. Permanent effects such as scarring, disfigurement, or disability can also be a type of non-economic damage.
Determining the worth of your settlement can be a tricky matter. Additionally, the other party will likely attempt to settle for the smallest possible amount. A personal injury lawyer in Easton can help you understand the potential worth of your settlement and help you fight for fair compensation.
Herniated Disc Recovery Time
Herniated discs can recover with time and proper medical care, but don’t expect the injury to heal quickly. In most cases, it takes approximately a month or more to heal.
Can A Herniated Disc Heal On Its Own?
Sometimes, a herniated disc can heal with little to no medical care. A mild herniated disc can heal in 4 to 6 weeks. However, more severe herniations may require more extensive medical treatment, such as spinal fusion surgery or epidural steroid injections, to heal properly.
You should always go to the doctor after an accident, even when you feel fine. The sooner you seek medical care, the sooner doctors can catch complications that may interfere with your recovery process. Additionally, early medical attention will help you more easily establish the cause of the herniated disc.
Why You Need an Experienced Attorney For Spinal Car Accident Injuries
Being in a car crash is stressful, and dealing with the aftermath can be difficult. Knowledgeable legal representation can make it less difficult. It is vital to seek representation from a personal injury lawyer after any auto accident, especially if you suffered a spinal injury or herniated disc. Spinal injuries need a lot of specialized care to heal, and the impact of such injuries can be life-changing. With legal knowledge and experience in car accident compensation, an Easton spinal injury lawyer will increase your chances of securing a fair settlement. Your attorney can help you navigate issues with your insurance company, collect evidence, keep track of deadlines, and more.
Car Accident Statute of Limitations in PA
If you’ve sustained an injury such as a herniated disc after a car accident, you have a limited time to file a car accident claim. In Pennsylvania, car accident claims must be filed within two years from the date of the accident. If you miss the deadline to file, you may forfeit your right to seek financial compensation. However, sometimes there are exceptions to this rule, so be sure to consult with a car accident attorney.
Suffered From a Herniated Disc After a Car Crash? Call PA Car Accident Lawyer Ed Shaughnessy Today
Don’t wait to find an experienced auto accident lawyer in Easton. Work with a trusted Pennsylvania car accident law firm today. Attorney Shaughnessy has extensive experience in matters of personal injury and is eager to support Easton locals in their time of need. When you need someone to tirelessly advocate for your rights, Ed Shaughnessy is a name you can trust.
Ready to learn more about how local auto accident lawyers can help you? Contact us online or call (610) 258-9955 to schedule your free consultation with the Law Offices of Edward Shaughnessy. Take the first step on your path to recovery today.
