Back Aches and Pain After a Car Crash? You Could Have Spinal Disk Damage

During a car crash, your body experiences tremendous amounts of force and impact. Sometimes, you may be thrown around, twisted, bent in awkward positions, and struck by hard and sharp objects and debris. The results can be multiple serious injuries.

Many people who experience a car crash complain of having aches and pains in their back, and one of the most common culprits for these complaints is spinal disk damage or injuries.

What are spinal disks and how do they become damaged or injured?

Spinal disks are small, tough “rubbery pads” located between vertebrae. These provide shock absorption for the spine. Despite their resilience, they become less flexible and more susceptible to damage with age. Throughout adulthood, any stress, weight, or force on the back can lead to spinal disk injuries.

What symptoms are present with disk damage or injuries?

Identifying disk damage after a collision can be challenging, as symptoms vary. Here are some of the symptoms you may experience if you have disk damage or injuries:

• Neck, shoulder, or back pain
• Pain in your legs or arms
• Numbness or tingling
• Muscle weakness
• Changes in bladder or bowel habits
• Inability to bend or sit for long periods of time
• Discomfort or pain when laughing, coughing, sneezing, or straining

It is crucial that you visit your local emergency room or primary care doctor after a car crash to assess potential hidden injuries, such as spinal disk injuries. You will also need to document any injuries the doctor identifies. Your diagnoses and records are powerful evidence in support of your claim.

Spinal disk injuries that arise from car accidents

There are several different types of spinal disk damage and injuries that may arise from a car accident. The following are four of the most common that you should know about:

1. Herniated disk: When the soft inner material of the disk leaks out and meets the nerve root, this is called a herniated disk. Most people with herniated disks have severe pain because there is intense pressure on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves. Herniated disks can occur in the neck, lower back, and mid-back.
2. Bulging disk: This is similar to a herniated disk, except the inner soft material does not leave the disk. Instead, it is described as protruding or “bulging,” which can cause a lot of discomfort when lifting an object, sitting for long periods, or bending down or forward.
3. Pinched nerves: This happens when a disk becomes injured or damaged and begins to irritate a nearby nerve. For example, if you have a herniated disk, it may start to compress, squeeze, or put stress on one of your nerves because the inner jelly-like material has nowhere to go. As a result, you may feel pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness.
4. Disk strains and sprains: When your disks experience too much weight, force, or impact, they may become strained or sprained. This can lead to swelling and irritation, which can cause extreme discomfort and pain. However, disk strains and sprains can be difficult to diagnose because they do not always show up on imaging tests.

Additionally, car accidents can exacerbate pre-existing conditions like degenerative disk disease, accelerating symptoms. Degenerative disk disease occurs in the disks of your spine and usually develops over time due to age, sports, exercise, or other activities.

How is a damaged or injured disk diagnosed and treated?

Damaged or injured disks are usually diagnosed by imaging scans, such as CT scans, MRI scans, and X-rays. The doctor may also conduct a physical examination, make notes of your symptoms, check your strength and reflexes, and order blood tests. If it is found that you have a damaged or injured disk, there are various ways that it can be treated, such as:

• Medications to reduce pain and swelling
• Physical therapy and massages
• Heat/cold therapy
• Steroids injections
• Surgery, if necessary

What compensation can I recover for spinal disk damage?

If a car crash damaged your spinal disks, you might have a long road of recovery ahead of you. While many of these injuries may heal in a matter of around three months, some people experience long-term complications. If you prove the injury is related to a car crash caused by another driver, you may be able to recover compensation for you:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Physical therapy
• Pain and suffering
• Lost income if you missed work because of the injury

Your best way of estimating your damages is by speaking to an attorney about the facts in your case. Also, remember not to wait too long to reach out to a lawyer. In Washington, you only have three years to file a personal injury claim. If you wait too long, you will not be able to recover compensation for your injuries, even if another driver is at fault.

Contact the dedicated attorneys at Philbrook Law

At Philbrook Law, our Vancouver, WA car accident lawyers are compassionate, understanding, and respectful to all accident victims. We know and understand the hardships you are facing during this challenging time, and we have what it takes to help you potentially obtain the justice and compensation you need and deserve. If you have a spinal disk damage claim, please call our office or complete our contact form to begin discussing and learning about your legal options right away. We have offices in Vancouver and Battle Ground, WA, and Portland, OR for your convenience.