Herniated Disc Injuries Common in Car Accident and Falls

 When an auto accident or slip occurs, the collision or impact can put an enormous amount of force on the driver and passengers. Often times, injuries to the back, neck, or spinal cord result. One such injury is a herniated disc.

Spinal cord discs are the shock absorbers between the vertebrae, or bones, in your spine. They are often described as jelly donuts because they have an external shell with a liquid substance in the middle. Physical trauma, like that sustained during a car accident, can cause a disc to rupture. When a disc ruptures, the “jelly” leaks out and puts pressure on the nerve in the spinal canal, causing pain.

Symptoms of a Herniated Disc

If the fluid in a disc leaks into the spinal column, impacting a nerve, it usually causes extreme pain throughout the entire body. It’s important to understand that herniated disc symptoms also sometimes don’t occur until days or weeks after an accident. Below are some symptoms associated with a herniated disc:

  • Feeling of numbness and tingling in one or both legs.
  • Intermittent pain similar to electric shock, with pain increasing over time.
  • Loss of mobility.
  • Loss of bowel and bladder control and numbness around genitals.
  • Weakness in one or both legs.
  • Muscle pain and muscle spams.

A herniated disc is rarely diagnosed in the emergency room after an accident because they can not be detected on x-rays. A MRI or CT scan is needed to accurately diagnose a herniated disc.

Impact of Herniated Disc Can Be Devastating

There is no clear cut correlation between the degree of a disc herniation and the victim’s pain symptoms. It may be difficult to work or carry on daily activities. Some herniated disc injuries leave a patient in constant pain for the rest of their lives. Even if the symptoms are relatively minor, the chances are great that they will increase with time.

A Georgia Herniated Disc Attorney Can Help You Recover Compensation

If you have suffered a herniated disc, or other back injury, as the result of a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, it is very important to hire an attorney who is experienced with these types of cases. A skilled spinal cord injury attorney will:

  • Help you get the right medical care for your injury.
  • Make sure that insurance adjusters and lawyers do not get away with underpaying your claim.
  • Work hard to ensure you are fairly compensated for the pain and suffering you have encountered, and also problems you may face in the future.

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