How Car Accidents Can Cause Herniated Discs

At John J. Malm & Associates, our experienced Illinois car accident attorneys have helped countless crash victims recover compensation for painful and debilitating injuries—including herniated discs. Spinal disc injuries are among the most common and serious injuries sustained in car accidents. They often go undetected in the early stages, but can develop into long-term, life-altering conditions.

In this blog, we explain how car accidents can cause herniated discs, why these injuries are so serious, and what victims should do if they are suffering from back pain after a collision.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

To understand how a herniated disc occurs, it helps to first understand the structure of the spine. Your spine is made up of 33 vertebrae stacked on top of each other, separated by soft, gel-like cushions called intervertebral discs. These discs act as shock absorbers and allow for flexibility and movement.

A herniated disc, also known as a slipped disc or ruptured disc, occurs when the inner gel-like substance (nucleus pulposus) of a disc pushes through a tear or rupture in the tougher exterior (annulus fibrosus). When this material escapes, it can compress or irritate nearby spinal nerves, leading to pain, numbness, weakness, or even loss of function in different parts of the body.

How Car Accidents Cause Herniated Discs

Car accidents subject the body to intense, sudden forces that can jolt the spine violently. These forces often result in whiplash-like motion or blunt trauma to the spine, which can lead to disc herniation.

Here are the most common ways herniated discs occur during motor vehicle collisions:

1. Sudden Impact and Whiplash

In rear-end collisions, the neck and back may snap forward and backward rapidly. This motion can overstress the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) spinal discs, causing them to bulge or herniate. Even seemingly minor crashes can result in significant disc trauma if the spinal column is forcefully compressed.

2. Blunt Force Trauma

In side-impact or high-speed crashes, a person may be thrown sideways or struck by objects within the vehicle. Direct trauma to the back or neck can rupture a disc on impact.

3. Compression Forces

When the body is restrained by a seatbelt but the upper torso is thrown forward, the spine absorbs much of the force. This compression can lead to herniation—especially in the lower back (L4-L5 or L5-S1).

Where Herniated Discs Occur in Car Accident Victims

Herniated discs most commonly occur in the:

Cervical spine (neck) – C5-C6 and C6-C7
Lumbar spine (lower back) – L4-L5 and L5-S1

Symptoms vary based on the location of the herniation. For example:

Cervical herniation may cause neck pain, headaches, arm numbness or weakness.
Lumbar herniation often results in lower back pain, sciatica (radiating pain down the legs), tingling, and difficulty walking or standing.

Statistics on Spinal Injuries from Car Accidents

Car accidents are the leading cause of spinal injuries, accounting for nearly 39% of spinal cord injuries in the United States, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury.
A study in The Spine Journal found that lumbar disc herniations occur in up to 35% of individuals who experience moderate to severe spinal trauma from motor vehicle accidents.
The average cost of treating a herniated disc, including diagnostics, physical therapy, and possible surgery, ranges from $20,000 to over $100,000 depending on severity.
A 2021 study published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders confirmed that many patients with post-traumatic disc herniations experienced chronic disability and long-term pain, even when surgical intervention was performed.

Diagnosing a Herniated Disc After a Car Accident

Many car accident victims may initially experience stiffness, soreness, or “just a little back pain.” But what may feel like a minor ache can mask a more serious injury like a disc herniation.

Common signs of a slipped disc include:

Numbness or tingling in limbs
Shooting pain down one side of the body
Muscle weakness
Limited range of motion
Pain that worsens with movement, coughing, or sneezing

Treatment for Herniated Discs

Treatment depends on the severity of the herniation and the patient’s symptoms. In many cases, conservative care is attempted first, including:

Rest and limited activity
Anti-inflammatory medications
Physical therapy
Epidural steroid injections

If symptoms persist or worsen, surgical options may be considered, such as:

Discectomy (removal of part or all of the herniated disc)
Spinal fusion
Artificial disc replacement

Unfortunately, even with treatment, many herniated disc sufferers experience chronic pain or permanent disability. That’s why it’s critical to identify these injuries early and seek legal help if someone else’s negligence caused the crash.

Why Herniated Discs Are Often Disputed in Injury Claims

Car insurance companies frequently challenge herniated disc claims, arguing that:

The injury is degenerative and not related to the crash.
The accident was low-impact, so the injury is not “plausible.”
The victim had pre-existing back issues.

However, just because a person had prior back pain doesn’t mean a car crash didn’t cause new trauma or worsen an old injury. This is known as aggravation of a pre-existing condition, and under Illinois law, victims may still be entitled to compensation.

Damages for Herniated Discs in Illinois

If you suffered a herniated disc in a car accident, you may be entitled to recover damages for:

Medical bills (past and future)
Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Loss of normal life
Disfigurement or permanent disability

In cases involving permanent impairment or surgery, settlements and verdicts can exceed $100,000 or more, depending on the facts of the case and the severity of the injury.

What to Do If You Suspect a Herniated Disc After a Crash

If you were involved in a car accident and are experiencing neck or back pain, follow these steps:

Seek immediate medical attention – Early diagnosis leads to better treatment outcomes.
Request an MRI if symptoms persist – X-rays won’t show herniations.
Follow your doctor’s treatment plan – Consistency is important both for recovery and for your legal case.
Consult a personal injury attorney – Don’t accept a quick settlement before knowing the full extent of your injury.

Call the Top-Rated Illinois Car Accident Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident and think you may have a herniated disc, don’t wait. Early treatment and legal guidance are key to protecting your health and your rights. Contact the experienced Illinois accident attorneys at John J. Malm & Associates for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll review your case, answer your questions, and help you get the care and compensation you need.

Call 844-MALMLAW or visit www.malmlegal.com to get started.