Do You Have a Herniated Disc After a Car Accident?
The days following a car accident are often full of aches, pains, and confusion. During this time, you do not want to deal with insurance companies or gather the evidence needed to get the compensation you deserve. Many people do not seek medical care or support because they think they can’t afford it…but if the accident wasn’t your fault, you’re not responsible.
If you were in a car accident and have a herniated disc, you know many pains come along with it. At Lonati Law, we strive to help people injured get the compensation they are entitled to after a devastating accident. If this applies to you and you believe you might have a case, keep reading to learn more. If possible, we want to talk to you and help, so call us today at 678-363-3500.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc, sometimes called a slipped or bulging disc, is an issue with the cushions between the bones in the vertebrae. Herniated discs can occur in any part of the spine but are most common in the lower back and neck. These injuries happen when the discs (cushions) are torn or pulled.
How Does a Herniated Disc Happen?
The impact of a car accident can cause herniated discs. Many people have them due to aging and normal wear and tear on the body. However, traumatic events and jolts to the body can cause injury.
Symptoms of a Herniated Disc in the Neck:
Sometimes, people have a herniated disc and don’t even know it. Other people are not so lucky. Here are the main symptoms of a slipped disc:
Weakness
The muscles around a herniated disc tend to become weak over time. This is especially true if the disc is pressing on a nerve. The weakness can cause long-term issues, such as stumbling or the inability to grab or hold things.
Numbness
Herniated discs cause nerve damage in some patients. This causes the area around the disc to become numb or tingle. The numbness can be around the impacted area or radiate into other areas, like the arms or legs.
Arm or Leg Pain
You may have pain in other areas of your body depending on where the herniated disc is located. For example, a herniated disc in the lower spine may cause leg or thigh pain. A slipped disc in the neck causes upper back and shoulder pain. People with herniated disc pain often describe it as a shooting, sharp, or burning sensation.
What to Do If You Suspect Slipped Disc Injuries
Some people think they are just sore after a car accident and don’t follow the proper steps. This may cause issues if you do have long-term issues, so it’s important to do the following:
Seek Medical Care
It’s essential you visit a doctor if you’ve been in a car accident. If you have pain in your neck or spine, you must point it out to the doctor, so it is documented and they can run the appropriate scans. Herniated discs have a greater chance of recovery if found and treated early.
Follow the Treatment Plan
After you visit a doctor, you must follow the treatment plan. This is critical if you end up with a personal injury case because medical compliance is necessary. Treatment for herniated discs ranges from rest to medication to therapies. Each patient is different, so this is why going to the doctor is so important.
Consider Speaking to a Lawyer Specializing in Slipped Disc Injuries
Herniated discs are a pain…literally. People often lose work and vital family time due to these types of injuries. If you have a herniated disc after a car accident, we want to help you get the compensation you deserve. A personal injury attorney fights for their clients to receive damages for lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and property damage.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of a Herniated Disc in the Neck?
If left untreated, a herniated disc can cause lasting damage. This damage can negatively impact your quality of life, mobility, and more. These injuries are serious medical situations that require treatment immediately.
Herniated discs are often worsened by everyday or involuntary activities. This includes bending, sneezing, or coughing. Following the doctor’s treatment plan for healing a herniated disc is vital if you want to prevent these issues. Some of the long-term risks of untreated discs include:
Pain
The most obvious and common long-term side effect is pain. This pain generally occurs on one side of the body and ranges from mild to severe. The pain may be continuous or intermittent. Each person has varying symptoms and levels of pain with herniated discs.
If you have pain from a car accident and were diagnosed with a herniated disc, we want to talk to you. The lawyers at Lonati Law in Dallas, GA, are well-versed in these cases and fight for our clients. Contact our office today to request a free consultation.
Spine Stiffness
When a disc is herniated, it may cause stiffness in the spine. This is due to the inflammation and pressure on the nerves in the area. Severe stiffness may result in reduced ability or struggles when walking.
Chronic Aches
Another symptom is chronic aches. This is a little different than the pain because it’s an ache that’s always there. It may pulsate through the impacted area every single day. Sometimes the aches are more severe and become a full-blown pain side effect.
A chronic ache can cause issues with working, doing things you enjoy, or everyday activities. This can have a very negative impact on your quality of life and happiness.
Headaches
People with herniated discs in their necks often have chronic headaches. The nerves in the neck are often impacted by a herniated disc, causing headaches that are much more frequent than most people are used to. These headaches tend to come and go but will most likely continue to happen if the herniated disc is left untreated.
Muscle Spasms
Muscle spasms from herniated discs can be extremely painful for some people. Slipped discs often pinch the nerves along the vertebrae, disrupting the muscle tissue. While muscle relaxers may relieve the issue for a while, speaking to a doctor about the long-term care strategy is important.
Nerve Damage
Some herniated discs cause nerve damage in the long term. This is often related to lower-back discs and causes issues with a person’s bowels or bladder. This can lead to permanent incontinence.
Another form of nerve damage common with herniated discs is called saddle bag anesthesia. People with this condition lose sensation in their thighs, rectum, and back of the legs. Neither of these situations sounds pleasant, so you must see a doctor and follow the treatment plan.
Why Lonati Law for a Slipped Disc?
So, why should you call us if you have a slipped disc? Many choices are available; we are honored you’re on our site. Read about the benefits of working with Lonati Law in Dallas, GA, below:
We Want to Help Injured Individuals
The father-son duo at Lonati Law have always put their clients first. Lonati Senior started his career as a chiropractor, helping those in the community gain mobility and improve their quality of life. Once he became a lawyer, he continued to help injured people in a new way and has a deep understanding of the medical aspects of injury cases. His son was inspired and followed in his footsteps.
Legal Expertise
Dealing with insurance companies after a car accident requires special skills. The law team at Lonati has those skills. Combined with our years of experience, we are able to manage the entire case so clients can focus on recovering. We help clients prepare for court, gather evidence and witnesses, and protect them from costly mistakes.
You Don’t Pay Unless We Win
When we take on a case, we’re confident we can help our clients win. We do not get paid unless our client wins their settlement. So, if you’ve been putting off calling a lawyer because you think you don’t have the money, you can do so without commitment. Call us today at 678-363-3500 to request a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable lawyers.
Professionalism
With more than 30 years of combined experience, the lawyers at Lonati Law have what it takes to manage your case from beginning to end. Serving people across Georgia, we put our clients first. You won’t find a more compassionate or honest lawyer for your personal injury case.
Talk to a Lawyer if You Have a Herniated Disc After a Car Accident Today
You might benefit from speaking to a lawyer if you’re dealing with signs of a slipped disc. Personal injury attorneys help clients navigate the ins and outs of negotiating with insurance companies and fight for them to get the compensation they deserve. The Lonati Law team wants to help you if you’re struggling with a herniated disc after a car accident. Call us today or fill out this form to request a free consultation.
