Suffering from a back injury can drastically affect your life and ability to do everyday tasks. Unfortunately, back injuries caused by car crashes are not uncommon and can be extremely painful. If left untreated, these injuries can cause chronic pain and serious mobility issues. If you’re experiencing back pain and symptoms of a herniated disc, it is important to visit a medical provider as soon as possible to assess the severity of your injuries.
Our South Carolina car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth Berger understand the pain and stress you are going through after your crash. We are here to help you navigate the legal process, deal with insurance adjusters, and seek compensation for your injuries so you can focus on the healing process.
What is a Herniated Disc and Can It be Caused by a Car Crash?
Your spinal cord is made up of a complex system of vertebrae, discs, and nerves. Each disc acts like a cushion between the vertebrae (the bones) of your spine, absorbing shock and holding your spinal cord together. A herniated disc occurs either when the disc slips out of place or when the hard outer layer of the vertebrae cracks, allowing the jelly-like center of the disc to break through. This can damage the sensitive nerves surrounding the vertebrae and discs, causing severe pain.
Herniated discs are often caused by the acute trauma that comes along with being in a car accident. The sheer impact and force of the car crash can fracture a disc or cause it to slip out of place. For example, experiencing whiplash during a car crash can cause a herniated disc because of the sudden back-and-forth motion of your head, back, and neck muscles, which can cause severe strains or tears of the discs.
Common Symptoms of a Herniated Disc After a Car Accident
Herniated discs can be extremely painful and even debilitating. If you are experiencing any of the following common symptoms, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible:
- Sharp, localized pain in the neck, upper back, lower back, or arms
- Numbness or tingling (such as a “pins and needles” feeling) that starts in your back and goes down to your arms and fingers
- Muscle weakness
- Neck stiffness
- Increased pain during certain activities, like lifting heavy objects
Diagnosing a Herniated Disc
To diagnose a herniated disc, your doctor will likely conduct a physical examination and use a form of diagnostic imaging to locate the herniated disc. The following tests may be used to properly diagnose and recommend a course of treatment:
- X-rays
- CT Scans (Computerized Tomography)
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Treating a Herniated Disc After a Car Crash
Suffering from a herniated disc can be incredibly painful and affect your ability to do every-day tasks. Your doctor may prescribe physical therapy and over the counter medications to help ease the pain while you regain lost strength.
However, depending on the severity of your herniated disc, you may need surgery to fully correct your injuries and provide relief. Your surgery may involve the fusion of two vertebrae, the removal of the herniated portion of the disc, or inserting an artificial disc implant. Regardless of the type, surgery can be costly, and many insurance companies fail to provide full compensation for not only the medical expenses but also the personal costs, such as time off work and physical therapy, associated with major medical treatment.
What Steps Should I Take After Suffering from a Herniated Disc After a Car Accident in South Carolina?
- Seek medical attention immediately. If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms, you should visit a medical provider as soon as possible. Don’t try to ignore your pain - this is a serious injury and the longer you delay treatment, the worse your condition may get. A doctor will likely run diagnostic tests, such as an X-ray, to confirm that you have a herniated disc and determine the severity of your injuries. Getting a proper diagnosis and treatment plan immediately after the crash is not only essential for your health and recovery, but also to demonstrate a clear connection between the car crash and your injury.
- Keep all medical documentation. Be sure that you keep all records relating to your doctor’s visits, treatment plans, medical bills. Having clear documentation of the full extent and severity of your injuries can help you and your attorney determine how much compensation you will need to seek from your insurance company and any personal injury claim you file against the at-fault driver. Insurance companies will often try to avoid compensating you for your injuries by claiming your herniated disc was not because of the car accident, but because of some other cause, like a pre-existing medical condition. Seeking immediate medical care after the crash and retaining documents that prove your diagnosis is an important way to protect your rights to compensation against insurance adjusters’ claims.
- Do not agree to the first settlement offer you receive. Your insurance company will likely extend a settlement offer to pay for your injuries soon after you notify them of your diagnosis. However, be careful not to accept the first offer you receive, as many insurance adjusters will try to “lowball” you. This offer may not compensate you for the full extent of your injuries, especially if you are facing long-term medical care and treatment. An experienced personal injury attorney can speak with the insurance company on your behalf and help you seek a full, fair settlement.
What is the Average Settlement for a Herniated Disc After a Car Accident in South Carolina?
Although every case is different, suffering from a herniated disc can be very expensive, due to the extensive on-going medical care that is often needed. Factors that may influence the amount of your settlement may include:
- The extent of medical care needed to treat your injuries, including surgeries, X-rays, and ongoing care or physical therapy.
- Whether your herniated disc has left you with a permanent disability.
- The amount of lost wages or whether you are no longer able to return to your previous job due to physical impairment.
- Pain and suffering, related to your diminished quality of life.
Talk to Our Experienced South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers Today
Our legal team at the Law Office of Kenneth Berger is here to provide guidance and help you navigate your injury claim. We pride ourselves on the consistent care, attention, and communication we provide to every client that walks through our door. We’ll take care of everything on the legal side, so you can focus on healing.
To set up a free consultation, call us at 803-790-2800 (Columbia, SC) / 843-427-2800 (Myrtle Beach, SC), or contact us via the live chat box. We look forward to speaking with you.
