Car accidents can be traumatic and have lasting effects on the health and well-being of those who were involved in them. After a serious car accident, it’s important to monitor your health and have any areas of severe pain looked at by a professional. One common side effect of a serious car accident is a herniated disc which is more likely to occur in the lower back but can also occur in the neck.
A herniated disc refers to a problem with one of the rubbery cushions (disks) that sit between the individual bones (vertebrae) that stack to make your spine. Because herniated discs can be incredibly painful and can become worse if not taken care of properly, it’s important to watch for the telltale signs.
Pain experienced while sitting down
Sitting down is an activity that we all do countless times a day, but did you know that it creates pressure on your lower spinal discs? With a herniated or bulging disk, the act of sitting and increase in pressure may cause it to be more pronounced and cause pain during sitting. In some extreme cases you may notice that the bulge becomes more pronounced. If the pain exists while you’re standing and worsens with the movement of sitting, you’ll want to communicate the intensity of the pain to your doctor.
Pain in the lower back, buttock, or leg
Lumbar herniated disc symptoms vary widely and moderate to severe pain in the lower back, buttock, or leg, is a sign that there is something going on. Sometimes this pain can subside with minimal movement, rest, the application of ice or heat, and sitting in a supported stance. Even though most herniated disc pain eases within six weeks, it can be excruciating and make it difficult to participate in everyday activities and responsibilities. In extreme cases, the pain may become chronic and/or debilitating.
Numb or weak feeling in the lower body
In extreme cases of herniated discs, you may experience numbness, a pins-and-needles feeling, weakness, or tingling in the leg, foot, and/or toes. These are neurological symptoms and should be treated immediately by a doctor.
Pain or discomfort that is aggravated by some activities
Normal everyday activities like bending forward, sneezing, coughing, pushing a shopping cart, or lifting a heavy object aren’t supposed to hurt. When you have a herniated disc, you may experience lower back pain that intensifies when you perform any of these activities. Sometimes this pain happens rather quickly with very little warning and the pain can last for quite a long time.
Herniated disc settlements and lawsuits
Car accidents have the potential to result in catastrophic injuries that leave victims to face a lifetime of hardship. When these accidents occur because of another driver’s negligence, victims have the right to be fully compensated for the losses they suffer as a result. That is where a good car accident lawyer comes in. Insurance companies are motivated to settle claims for as little as possible, regardless of the severity of the victim’s injuries.
While there is no set dollar amount that one can get in a settlement for a herniated disc, it’s important to have a qualified personal injury lawyer like Mark T. Freeley, the North Shore Injury Lawyer, who can help to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. If you have been a victim of a car accident on or near Long Island and are in need of a herniated disc injury lawyer for your case, give Mark a call today at 631-495-9435 to discuss your case.
