The bones around the spinal cord provide protection from injury.
However, the vertebra also need to move to provide flexibility and mobility. Otherwise, a person will find it difficult to get up and go about daily living.
In between each vertebra are pads that provide cushion so that the vertebrae do not jam into each other.
Any traumatic accident, such as a car accident, can cause the material in the soft center of this disc to push out through the exterior, resulting in nerve damage and pain. This is called a herniated disc.
Costs Associated with a Herniated Disc
Some herniated discs do not cause any pain. However, many lead to our clients having to miss work and incurring tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. For example, some clients need surgery to repair the herniated disc while others need costly prescription drugs and exercise therapy.
You can add up the amount of money you have lost because of your herniated disc:
- Lost income if you couldn’t work
- Medical bills, including the costs of surgery, doctor visits, exercise therapy, prescription drugs, and assistive devices like braces or crutches
You can also receive compensation for the pain and suffering, as well as the emotional distress, that you have had to endure.
Herniated Disc from a Car Accident Settlement
Car accidents are a leading cause of disc injuries. The sudden, traumatic collision can cause a person to injure their vertebrae and the discs in between.
Car accident settlements generally involve the accident victim, her attorney, and the insurance company for the driver who caused the accident. In some cases, the parties disagree as to who is at fault for the crash. This is vital because North Carolina law prohibits a victim from receiving compensation if she contributed even a little to the accident.
As seasoned car accident attorneys, we have gone toe-to-toe with the state’s largest insurers, and we know how to win. We can present your case in the best possible light so that you receive maximum compensation.
Herniated Disc Settlement Amount
The amount you can receive in compensation will depend on many factors, such as the amount of money you lost as a result (discussed above). Your pain and suffering and/or emotional distress could also be significant if you suffered a very serious injury. For example, you might be in chronic pain for the rest of your life.
There is another wrinkle when settling—the size of the defendant’s insurance policy. If you have injuries from a car accident, then the driver might only have the state’s minimum insurance. However, if a commercial vehicle hurt you, or if you slip and fall in a store, then the defendant could have insurance with a much higher policy limit.
Meet with a Greenville, NC Car Accidents Attorney Today
No two accidents are ever alike, and victims with injuries need the help of a seasoned attorney who can carefully review the surrounding circumstances to arrive at a fair settlement amount.
Attorney Albritton of Irons & Irons P.A. has ample experience in personal injury cases. We know how to bring herniated disc cases the correct way, and we can obtain a settlement that fully compensates you for your losses.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.