When you think of injuries sustained in a car accident, you can easily come up with an extensive list of things to deal with.

Things like head trauma, cuts from broken windshield glass, and bruises probably top your list. You may even include broken bones, but what about your risk of herniated discs in car accidents? Did you know your risk of suffering a herniated disc in an automobile accident is probably higher than you think?

How a Herniated Disc Can Occur in a Vehicle Crash

A herniated disc often occurs over time, and normal daily motions like bending over and lifting objects can cause wear and tear that results in disc degeneration. Age is another common cause. Your discs naturally degrade over time.

Did you know vehicle accidents can also cause one or more herniated discs? The force of the collision can cause the vertebrae in your spine to compress., placing pressure on the nerves in your spinal cord. You may feel pain, numbness, or weakness in your arms and legs. Where the sensations appear typically depends on the location of the affected disc.

Can You Receive Compensation for a Herniated Disc Caused by a Car Accident

If your herniated disc is caused by a car accident and you’re not the at-fault driver, there’s a good chance you can file for damages. However, you can’t simply include a herniated disc in your list of damages. There are a few steps you need to follow.

Be Diagnosed By a Medical Professional

Some herniated discs rarely cause any pain, and the individual may only notice some occasional pain or discomfort in their back, neck, arms, or legs. Others with a herniated disc are in almost constant pain. Regardless of your level of discomfort, you want to be examined by a licensed medical professional.

A healthcare provider can accurately diagnose your condition and this is something you need to support your injury claim. However, your physician may not be able to pinpoint the precise cause of your herniated disc. Don’t worry, this shouldn’t affect your ability to include it in your injury claim.

Even though it’s not always easy to tell the exact cause of a herniated disc, tools like imaging and X-rays can help healthcare providers determine approximately when the injury occurred. This way you can show the accident is the cause of your back injury.

Start Your Medical Treatment

Yes, medical treatment for a herniated disc can be expensive. However, you also don’t want to delay treatment while you’re waiting to settle your accident claim. The claim process can last for weeks or even months. You may be looking at years if your claim progresses to a personal injury lawsuit.

Waiting to treat a herniated disc can make your symptoms worse and complicate your recovery process. Instead of only needing to go through rehabilitation exercises, you may be facing surgery.

You may not need to rely on your health insurance or bank account to cover your treatment for a herniated disc, and a medical lien may be an option.

If you’re not sure what a medical lien is, it’s a legal agreement between a patient and a healthcare provider. The lien allows you to receive medical care with the understanding of payment being deducted from your settlement amount.

So, if your treatment costs are $20,000 and your settlement is $80,000. The healthcare provider automatically receives their $20,000 and you get a check for $60,000, which is something to consider if your car collision results in a herniated disc.

Calculate Your Damages

A large part of your claim process is calculating the value of your damages. Your damages for a herniated disc will usually include all medical costs, which include everything from the initial appointment through your testing and treatment.

Even if you’re using a medical lien to temporarily cover expenses, it’s still a good idea to save all of your paperwork. This includes anything relating to your diagnoses and treatment, along with any prescriptions.

If you’ve started covering your medical costs, save these receipts. You can include your out-of-pocket expenses in your injury claim. You may also want to think about your non-economic damages. Your herniated disc may be causing pain and suffering. Your attorney can help you determine the value of your non-economic damages.

Try to Work With an Attorney

Even though your attorney can’t diagnose a herniated disc, they can work to ensure you receive compensation for your injury. Consult with an attorney about your back injury to understand your legal rights after a car accident.

An experienced attorney will advocate on your behalf, helping to make sure that you receive the compensation you deserve while you focus on your recovery.

John Mali Director of Media Relations

Director of Media Relations at AboutBoulder.com

john@aboutboulder.com