Can I Seek Compensation for a Herniated Disc From My South Bend Car Accident?

Car crashes in South Bend can cause serious spinal injuries that change your life forever. These injuries create lasting pain, medical costs, and lost wages that devastate South Bend families.

At Pfeifer Morgan & Stesiak, our experienced South Bend car accident lawyers have experience helping injured victims navigate complex claims and fight for the compensation they deserve. We understand how spinal injuries impact your daily life and will work tirelessly to hold negligent drivers accountable for your damages.

Request a FREE case review today. Call: (574) 444-0741

What Is a Herniated Disc and How Can This Injury Happen in a Car Accident?

Your spine contains soft cushions called discs that sit between your vertebrae. These discs absorb shock and help your back bend and move smoothly. A herniated disc happens when the soft gel inside a disc pushes through a crack in the tough outer layer.

A collision creates forces that are strong enough to throw your body in multiple directions within seconds. The violent motion and resulting impact is enough to twist your spine far beyond what it can normally handle. The resulting pressure on your spinal discs can be enough to cause them to tear or rupture. Even crashes at moderate speeds can generate enough force to damage healthy discs and create lifelong pain.

How Do I Know if I Have a Herniated Disc?

Herniated disc symptoms can appear immediately after your South Bend car crash or develop gradually over several days. Many people feel fine right after their crash because adrenaline can mask pain, and swelling takes time to develop.

Your body may not show clear signs of spinal damage until inflammation builds up around the injured disc. Some herniated disc symptoms mimic other injuries, making it difficult to identify the true source of your pain. It is important to be aware of key warning signs and seek proper medical treatment right away to protect your legal rights in Indiana.

Common signs include:

• Sharp Shooting Sensations: Pain that travels from your back down your leg or arm
• Numbness and Tingling: Loss of feeling in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
• Muscle Weakness: Difficulty lifting objects or maintaining your grip strength
• Burning Sensation: Constant burning or aching pain in your back or neck
• Worsening Pain: Pain that gets worse when you cough, sneeze, or sit down
• Stiffness: Reduced ability to bend, twist, or move your spine normally

Can I Include Damages for a Herniated Disc in My South Bend Car Crash Claim?

Yes, Indiana law allows you to recover compensation for all medical expenses related to your herniated disc injury. Even if you were partially at fault for the crash, you may still be eligible to recover some damages.

If you have a case, you may be able to recover compensation This includes emergency room visits, diagnostic tests, physical therapy, medications, and potential surgery costs. You can also claim lost wages, future medical care, and compensation for your physical pain and suffering.

One primary reason for seeking legal help is that insurance companies frequently challenge back injury claims. Herniated discs often worsen over time and may eventually need surgery. Claims involving these injuries could be costly for the insurance company.

Why Waiting to Seek Medical Help for a Herniated Disc or Other Back Injuries Could Hurt Your Car Crash Claim

Delaying medical treatment creates a dangerous gap between your car crash and your diagnosis. Insurance adjusters use this time gap to argue that something other than the crash caused your herniated disc. They will claim your injury resulted from work activities, exercise, or normal wear and tear.

Back injuries like herniated discs often worsen without proper treatment, making your condition more severe than necessary. Prompt medical attention creates clear documentation, solidly linking your injuries directly to the crash that caused them. This documentation and clear timeline becomes crucial evidence when insurance companies try to deny or reduce your claim value.

Evidence Needed to Strengthen Claims Involving a Herniated Disc Injury in Indiana

South Bend car crash victims who seek immediate medical attention protect their claim even before doctors discover their herniated disc. Emergency room records document your initial complaints and establish the crash as the cause of your symptoms. Continued follow-up care with your doctor creates a clear medical trail showing how your condition develops.

Diagnostic tests like MRI scans and CT scans provide definitive proof of your herniated disc injury. It is also vital to keep a detailed pain journal throughout your recovery. Key elements to document include your daily symptoms and pain levels, and the impact of this injury on your quality of life. This personal record helps demonstrate how the injury affects your work, daily activities, and ability to sleep.

Why Seek Legal Help for a Herniated Disc After Your South Bend Car Accident

Herniated disc cases involve complex medical evidence and aggressive insurance company tactics that most people cannot handle alone. While insurance adjusters may try to pressure you into accepting a quick, but low settlement, our experienced legal team gets to work on your behalf. Our legal team has helped many car crash victims, including those with serious back injuries. We know how to strategically present your medical records and build compelling arguments for maximum compensation.

When we represent you, we fully manage your case and work diligently to protect your best interests and legal rights by:

• Investigate the crash scene thoroughly.
• Gather witness statements to build a compelling case.
• Work diligently to protect you from unfair blame tactics.
• Fight for fair compensation for your medical bills, ongoing pain, and other damages.
• Handle all communication with insurance companies so they cannot trick you into damaging your case.

Suffering From a Back Injury After a Crash? Contact Our Trusted Pfeifer Morgan & Stesiak Car Accident Lawyers Today

After suffering a herniated disc injuries in a car crash, it is important that you seek immediate legal help to protect your right to fair compensation.

At Pfeifer Morgan &  Stesiak, we help injured victims, including those injured in serious South Bend collisions, every day, something we have been doing for decades. Our firm has a proven history of securing favorable outcomes for our clients.

Worried about costs? There are no upfront costs or fees when we fight for your justice. Not sure if you have a case? We can help you understand your rights, answer questions you may have, and determine if you may have legal options.

Experienced Lawyers. Proven Results. Call: (574) 444-0741 today.