Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Herniated Discs from Massachusetts Car Accidents
Being in a Massachusetts car accident can strain your nerves, your patience and your sense of well being – even if you haven’t been hurt. However, if you have car accident injuries, your situation has become that much more traumatic.
Car accidents often lead to spinal cord injuries or back injuries
Herniated discs are one of the most common types of back injuries that can occur as a result of a motor vehicle accident. If you have herniated discs as the result of an accident, you should consider consulting with a personal injury attorney who can help you determine if you can file a claim to receive compensation for your medical bills and other accident-related expenses.
Herniated Discs and Spinal Cord Injuries
Your spinal cord, which runs down your back and connects your head to your pelvis, is made up of bones, or vertebrae, which are separated by discs. These discs, which serve to cushion the spinal cord, are filled with a jelly-like substance. When this jelly-like substance, called the nucleus, pushes out of the outer layer of the disc-called the annulus-you have a herniated disc. The pain that you experience is a result of the nucleus pressing against nearby nerves.
Most people experience herniated discs in their lower backs, although you can develop herniated discs anywhere along your spinal cord. Only about 8% of herniated discs occur in the cervical-or neck-vertebrae.
Symptoms of Herniated Discs
Like other back injuries, the symptoms of herniated discs vary according to location. In addition, the size of the herniation and how crowded the nearby nerves are will also have an impact on the symptoms that you experience.
If your herniated discs are located in your lower back, symptoms might include:
- Pain along the sciatica nerve, which runs from the buttock down the leg and may radiate into the foot
- Lower back pain
If your herniated discs are located in your neck, you may experience symptoms such as:
- Pain between your shoulder blades
- Pain in your neck
- Numbness in your arm
- Tingling in your shoulder
- Pain that runs down your arm into your hands or fingers
Herniated Discs and Massachusetts Personal Injury Lawsuits
If you have suffered herniated disc and other injuries as a result of a car accident, contact a Boston car accident injury attorney to learn about your rights and determine liability.
When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like:
- How long have you been practicing personal injury law?
- What is the largest settlement or verdict you’ve obtained?
- Do you have experience with back injuries?
The Kiley Law Group, a law firm based in downtown Boston and on Main Street in Andover, Massachusetts will evaluate your case for Free.
