According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), each year between 5 and 20 per 1000 individuals suffer from herniated discs, an injury related to the protrusion of a spinal disc’s soft center. While many factors can cause these injuries, one common cause is motor vehicle accidents, particularly rear end collisions due to the force exerted on the spine when the vehicle suddenly surges forward. Learn what individuals can do if they experience herniated discs from a rear end collision, and explore the legal options available to these victims by contacting a seasoned New Hampshire personal injury lawyer; call Shillen Mackall Seldon & Spicer today at (802) 457-4848.
Understanding Herniated Discs
In the spine are bones that safeguard a person’s nerves, and spinal discs separate these bones, allowing movements such as bending and reaching. Per MedlinePlus, herniated, or slipped, discs refer to when either an entire spinal disc, or part of one, forces its way out of position, placing pressure on the spinal cord and/or adjacent nerves and causing pain, weakness, or numbness. Herniated discs commonly impact an individual’s lower back or neck; in addition to age being a contributing factor, being overweight, lifting heavy items, bending repetitively, twisting the neck or back, leading an inactive lifestyle, smoking, and standing or sitting for long periods in the same position can all increase the risk of this injury.
The symptoms of slipped discs depend on the injury’s severity and location, but they typically apply to a single part of the body and are usually as follows:
- Sharp leg, buttocks, or hip pain, weakness, or numbness
- Severe pain in the shoulder area
- Neck pain when moving head
- Numbness in fingers, forearm, shoulder, or elbow
- Worsening pain after sitting or standing, when laughing, coughing, or sneezing, at night, when walking or bending backward, and when holding in breath or straining
- Difficulties lifting limbs, standing on toes, squeezing hands tightly, or controlling bladder/bowel movements
What Is a Rear End Collision?
Rear end collisions take place when a vehicle collides into another vehicle’s back, which can be either moving or stationary. These accidents can occur due to driver distraction, panic stopping, reduced vehicle traction, brake checking, or tailgating.
Is a Herniated Disc Caused by an Accident?
Disc herniation typically occurs due to a condition called disc degeneration, which is a result of an individual gradually aging. Spinal discs lose flexibility as people get older, making them more prone to rupturing or tearing. People may also experience herniated discs when involved in the following activities:
- Straining or twisting
- Using back muscles to lift instead of the stronger thigh and leg muscles
- Turning and twisting while lifting
- Applying significant force to the neck or back, either by slipping and falling or as a result of a motor vehicle accident
Can a Rear End Collision Cause a Herniated Disc?
Rear end collisions may cause herniated discs. When a vehicle strikes another vehicle from behind with sufficient force, this may lead to the drivers and passengers in both vehicles experiencing sudden movement, possibly resulting in a slipped disc.
Understand what to do if suffering from herniated discs from a rear end collision, and discover how an experienced Florida personal injury attorney from Shillen Mackall Seldon & Spicer can help with these types of legal claims. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.
How To Prove a Herniated Disc Is From a Car Accident
Proving that a motor vehicle accident definitely and completely caused a herniated disc is extremely difficult. That said, through objective testing and medical evidence, it is possible to determine whether the incident likely caused the injury, typically achieved through conducting a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test. Using an MRI, a radiologist can review the spaces between the spinal discs and determine whether the patient has a disc herniation; if the individual is experiencing tingling, numbness, or pain shortly after the incident, and they have an MRI-confirmed herniated disc, the accident likely caused this injury.
Another method of associating disc herniation with a motor vehicle accident involves looking for evidence of annular tearing, which typically occurs due to trauma rather than aging. In addition, doctors may check for signs of osteophytes surrounding the herniated discs; if these are present, aging is more likely to have caused the slipped disc as opposed to the motor vehicle incident.
What To Do if Experiencing Herniated Discs From a Rear End Collision
A rear end collision can potentially cause passengers and drivers to experience herniated discs, even in minor crashes involving low speeds. If experiencing a slipped disc from this type of motor vehicle accident, follow these tips.
Seek Treatment Immediately
Like with other injuries sustained in motor vehicle collisions, the starting point is to seek medical treatment as soon as possible, irrespective of whether the individual is feeling pain or other symptoms. When doing so, describe any symptoms to the doctor in detail, and allow them to perform necessary tests. After diagnosis, follow the doctor’s advice, being sure to take prescribed medications and attend physical therapy sessions to prevent the injury from worsening and aid recovery.
Consider Pursuing Financial Compensation
Herniated discs can prevent individuals from working and cause people to incur significant medical expenses, possibly having a substantial impact on a person’s income and savings. Additionally, the injured person may suffer from mental anguish and severe physical pain. If another motorist caused the accident and the person’s injury, the victim could consider speaking to an attorney to learn about the options for pursuing financial compensation.
What Is the Average Settlement for Herniated Discs?
Settlements for personal injury claims concerning slipped disc injuries range between a few thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on how severe the victim’s injuries are and, as a result, how substantial the individual’s medical expenses are, as well as the case particulars and extent of the negligence involved. For instance, one person suffering from a herniated disc might only struggle with lifting heavy objects, whereas another individual could have significant symptoms requiring multiple surgeries, extensive pain management, and lengthy physical therapy. Other factors contributing to settlement offers for herniated disc personal injury cases include whether the victim had pre-existing medical conditions that could have contributed to the injury, whether the person’s injuries resulted in lost income from not working, and whether the victim has suffered constant pain as a result of their injuries.
Contact a Vermont Personal Injury Attorney Today
Motor vehicle accidents can result in herniated discs, a very painful injury that can significantly reduce a person’s physical capacity, potentially preventing them from working and completing daily activities. If a person suffers from a slipped disc following a rear end collision due to someone else’s negligence, they could have a potential legal claim. Explore in more detail what to do if suffering herniated discs from a rear end collision, and consider contacting a Vermont personal injury lawyer for assistance; call Shillen Mackall Seldon & Spicer at (802) 457-4848 to speak to our legal team.