Can a Car Accident Cause a Bulging Disc? A Guide for Fort Myers Residents

After a car accident, you’ll likely experience some aches and pains, some of which may be more severe than others. But what happens when, months after a car accident, you experience a serious problem like a bulging disc? Knowing whether the disc herniation occurred from a car accident or another cause can be challenging. 

Can a car accident cause a bulging disc? Yes — and this condition is a common injury from rear-end accidents. A personal injury attorney in Fort Myers explains more below. 

How Can a Car Accident Cause a Bulging Disc? A Car Accident Attorney in Fort Myers Explains

A herniated or bulging disc is a condition in which one of the rubbery discs between the bones that stack to make up the spine sustains a hole or a tear, allowing the soft inner cartilage to slip out of place. This can lead to nerve compression, creating pain, weakness, and numbness in the spine, neck, arms, and/or legs. 

Bulging discs are very common injuries that often occur with age. However, they can also happen after a single excessive strain on that disc — such as during a car accident. 

The impact of the accident can lead to whiplash, which places great strain on the cervical spine and causes the discs to shift. Alternatively, the impact of a rear-end accident can cause your spinal cavity to push into one of the vertebrae, injuring the disc. 

So, can a car accident cause a bulging disc? Yes — in several ways. 

Signs of a Bulging Disc After a Car Accident

Whether your injuries feel severe or mild after a car accident, you’ll want to seek a comprehensive medical evaluation to identify any underlying problems. A medical professional can diagnose a bulging disc by evaluating your symptoms and performing X-rays and other tests. 

But bulging discs can also happen over an extended time. You may not notice this condition until weeks, months, or even years after a car accident, even though the accident technically caused the injury. 

In this case, keep an eye out for the following herniated disc symptoms:

• Muscle spasms
• Overactive reflexes
• Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations
• Pain in the arm, back, foot, or leg
• Joint stiffness

Also, keep in mind that bulging discs sometimes produce no symptoms. 

What To Do After Experiencing a Bulging Disc From a Car Accident

If you suspect you have a bulging or herniated disc, seek medical attention. A medical professional can prescribe medications for pain management and discuss your treatment options. 

Many bulging discs respond well to physical therapy. This treatment can reduce inflammation, help you regain normal movement, and strengthen the back and core so that you place less pressure on the spine during normal activities. 

Sometimes, surgical interventions are necessary. A surgeon can remove the injured disc and permanently join the vertebrae above and below that disc space. 

Seeking Compensation 

You may wonder whether you can gain legal compensation to pay for treatments for a spinal injury diagnosis. Florida is a no-fault state for car accidents, which means your first step is to submit a claim through your own Personal Injury Protection policy. 

But if your expenses exceed the limits of your policy, you can talk to a personal injury attorney in Fort Myers about taking legal action against the driver who caused your accident. Cases that meet Florida’s serious injury threshold may qualify for legal action. In this case, you could sue the at-fault driver or their insurance company for additional compensation. 

A lawsuit may enable you to seek non-economic damages as well, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of quality of life
• Emotional distress

Your Fort Myers personal injury attorney can help you understand whether you are eligible for these damages. 

Seek Legal Assistance From a Car Accident Attorney in Fort Myers

Can a car accident cause a bulging disc? Yes, bulging or herniated discs are common neck and back injuries from rear-end accidents.

If you need help seeking compensation after a car accident that caused a bulging disc, our attorneys in Fort Myers can assist you. Attorney Marc L. Shapiro has over 30 years of experience with car accident cases and will provide knowledgeable, compassionate guidance. 

Call us today at (239) 500-5000 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.