Everything You Need to Know About Maximizing Your Herniated Disc Injury Claim
If you’ve ever been in a car or truck accident, you know just how painful it can be – especially if you’ve experienced a herniated disc injury as a result.
That level of pain can be unbearable, making even the simplest tasks a challenge. And it’s not just physical pain—a herniated disc injury can impact every aspect of your life, from work to leisure activities. But don’t worry; there are options available to you when you enlist the help of a personal injury lawyer.
Together, we’ll cover all the details about the average settlement for a herniated disc in Texas
and why you need an experienced car accident lawyer on your side to help you get the best results.
What is a Herniated Disc Injury?
Car accidents often result in physical injuries, and a herniated disc is one of the most common ones.
A herniated disc injury is a rupture of one or more of the rubbery discs located between vertebrae on your spine. They frequently occur when a person is rear-ended, causing the soft, cushion-like disc between vertebrae to push through a crack or rupture in the exterior casing. This protrusion into the spinal canal puts pressure on surrounding nerves, leading to excruciating pain and general discomfort.
While herniated discs can occur anywhere along the spine, they are more likely to occur in the more mobile areas, such as the neck and lower back.
Medical professionals typically refer to these injuries based on the number of vertebrae and the part of the spine affected. For instance, a “C4” injury would be located in the fourth vertebra in the cervical region. In contrast, an “L2” injury would be situated in the second vertebra in the lumbar region of the spine.
Day-to-Day Symptoms and Complications Caused by a Herniated Disc Injury
Some people are lucky enough that they do not experience any symptoms from a herniated disc injury, while others have trouble functioning due to the intense pain.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms and complications resulting from a spinal injury vary widely depending on the injury’s severity, its location along the spine, and any associated nerve damage. Some symptoms can include:
- Pain – anywhere from head to toe, as the pain can radiate throughout the body
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Muscle weakness
- Decreased range of motion in the neck or back
- Bladder or bowel dysfunction in more extreme cases
Due to the variability in the intensity of herniated disc injuries, the affected area may exhibit anything from a dull ache to intense pain. Additionally, if a herniated disc presses on nearby nerves, it may cause pain in other areas of the body as well.
For instance, a herniated disc in the cervical spine region may lead to pain in the neck and shoulder areas. If the disc compresses a nerve, this pain could radiate down the arm and into the hand and fingers, resulting in numbness or tingling sensations that make it difficult to grip objects.
Similarly, a herniated disc in the lumbar region can affect the nerve running from the lower back to the foot, typically causing pain in one leg. This pain can be intense, and in severe cases, it can even impede a person’s ability to walk or drive.
A herniated disc can significantly impact your capacity to perform everyday activities and work. Beyond the pain you experience, you may be physically unable to perform certain tasks.
If you’re wondering, “How much can I get for a herniated disc settlement in Texas?” it is crucial to hire a personal injury attorney knowledgeable about herniated discs and pinched nerve compensation.
Treating a Herniated Disc Injury
The treatment of a herniated disc depends on the injury’s severity. Doctors typically begin with conservative treatment options, such as anti-inflammatory medication and activity restriction, for a few days to avoid surgery.
If this approach proves ineffective, doctors may prescribe steroid injections or recommend physical therapy. However, injections can be costly, especially if necessary for an extended period. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills if you choose to pursue a car accident injury settlement with the help of a trained personal injury lawyer.
If your condition does not improve, your doctor may suggest surgery such as a discectomy, vertebral fusion, or artificial disc replacement, depending on your injury and overall health.
As you might expect, the expenses of treating a herniated disc can quickly add up. In addition to doctor visits, you must also consider the cost of medication, tests, and imaging such as X-rays, MRIs, and CAT scans.
Consequently, seeking a herniated disc settlement after an accident is not just fair, but necessary. To pursue your legal options, working with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you navigate the process is crucial.
When Should You Take Legal Action for a Herniated Disc Injury Claim?
After a car accident, seeking immediate medical care is crucial to determining the extent of your injuries and the necessary treatment. In the case of a herniated disc injury, treatment can take weeks or even months—and costs can start to stack up.
Therefore, it’s important to consult a car accident lawyer as soon as possible to build your case and gather evidence, including medical reports. An experienced lawyer from the Angel Reyes & Associates team can also provide valuable guidance on the varying amounts of herniated disc car accident settlements in different states, as seen in our case results. One of our expert personal injury lawyers can help you navigate the legal process and recommend doctors who can accurately diagnose your injury to create an effective treatment plan.
If you develop a herniated disc as a result of a car accident, don’t put off taking legal action. Get the assistance of an experienced lawyer from Angel Reyes & Associates to guarantee that you are compensated for your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
What is the Average Compensation for a Herniated Disc, and How is it Calculated?
So, what is the average settlement for a herniated disc in Texas?
Drum roll, please…
The answer is that there are too many factors to consider before we can determine the exact amount you may be eligible to receive if you decide to pursue a herniated disc injury claim. However, the average tends to range from around $50,000 to $300,000, with 5% of cases reaching settlements over $1,000,000.
In addition to the cost of your medical care, a car accident attorney will help you determine how much damage was caused and how much your accident insurance will cover.
4 Factors That Impact the Average Settlement for a Herniated Disc in Texas
Your lawyer must gather a fair amount of information before they can help you maximize the herniated disc settlement you are owed. This is why it is crucial to seek the services of a lawyer as soon as safely possible after the accident.
In addition, you should keep a copy of all your medical bills and reports for each consultation after the accident.
Here are the specifics of what will influence the average settlement for a herniated disc in Texas:
- The Specifics of the Car Accident
Evidence of the car or truck accident, such as photos and eyewitness statements, can be vital in proving liability and the severity of the herniated disc injury. For instance, if you were rear-ended by a truck, it could indicate a more severe impact that could cause more significant injuries like a herniated disc.
Furthermore, because Texas is a comparative negligence state, each party’s percentage of fault in the accident must be determined. You may not be entitled to a car accident injury settlement if you are more than 50% at fault. Additionally, your percentage of liability will also affect the settlement amount you can receive. The lower your liability percentage, the higher the potential is for a larger average settlement for a herniated disc in Texas.
Having the accident report, eyewitness names, and photographs can also help save time and support your case. Waiting too long to gather information and file a claim can negatively impact your case, as recalling information and locating witnesses becomes more challenging.
Therefore, it’s essential to gather evidence as soon as possible and work with an experienced personal injury law firm that can guide you through the legal process.
- The Severity of Your Herniated Disc Injury
The severity of your herniated disc injury is also a crucial factor in figuring out how much you will get as a settlement. No two people will have the same specific herniated disc. This is why the average settlement for a herniated disc in Texas will vary if it involves the C5 and C6 discs versus herniated C4 discs. Your medical consultation after the car or truck accident is vital in determining this information.
Even if you are not in pain, you should never skip a consultation following a car accident. Some people are in shock after a car accident, or the adrenaline prevents them from registering injuries.
With the right images, doctors can quickly determine how to treat your injury and what to do next. This will give you an estimate of how much therapy will cost, how long it will take you to recover, and how your life will be impacted. You can then use this information to negotiate your car accident injury settlement.
For example, the average settlement for a herniated disc in Texas for injuries treated with steroid injections tends to be higher than those treated with other non-invasive methods. This is because they are usually done longer to treat recurrent pain.
When surgery is involved, settlements will also be higher because of the time it takes to recover and the long-lasting effects. This is why you need a lawyer familiar with herniated disc settlements who will understand the full implications of your injury.
- Damages Incurred from the Herniated Disc Injury
Your damages will have to be assessed when determining how much you can get for a herniated disc settlement in Texas.
These are separated into special and general damages. The former includes medical treatment, property damage, and loss of income. The severity of the accident, the injury, and the recovery time will determine each of these.
For example, some people can’t ever return to their jobs due to complications from the herniated disc injury, while others simply need a few weeks off to recover.
General damages deal with non-monetary losses, such as physical pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Although general damages are hard to quantify, they must be factored into your car accident injury settlement.
Experienced personal injury lawyers understand how severe injuries impact people’s lives and states of mind. It can take a toll on your mental health when you cannot work or do the things you once enjoyed.
In addition, surgeries to correct or replace a herniated disc can leave permanent scarring, negatively impacting your self-confidence. These are all consequences of your accident and will also play a role in calculating your settlement amount.
- Accident Insurance Coverage Levels
The amount you receive in a herniated disc injury settlement may be affected by your accident insurance coverage and that of the other driver(s). You may not be able to recover the entire amount of your damages if the other motorist is uninsured or underinsured.
In such circumstances, filing a claim with your insurance company under your uninsured motorist coverage may be necessary. The amount you can recover from your insurance coverage, however, may be limited.
It’s vital to analyze your insurance coverage and consult with a lawyer to fully understand your options and potential reimbursement.
Are Online Case Calculators Reliable for Figuring out Car Accident Injury Settlement Amounts?
A case calculator will only be as accurate as the information you provide. That is why they’ll often ask for the specifics of your herniated disc injury case. It won’t be able to give you a definite settlement amount, but it can give you an idea of the average compensation for a herniated disc.
The calculator will not be accurate if you do not supply sufficient information. In certain circumstances, a personal injury lawyer will likely contact you for additional information about your case.
Case calculators are handy tools, but a personal injury attorney will be more effective in giving you an accurate herniated disc injury settlement amount.
Angel Reyes & Associates Can Help You Get the Best Results for Your Herniated Disc Injury Claim
At Angel Reyes & Associates, our team has collective decades of experience handling car accident injury settlements in the Lonestar State, so we’re highly qualified to help you with any challenges you face.
Our experienced team of car and truck accident attorneys is available 24/7 to discuss your case and explain your options for a personal injury claim in a free consultation. Don’t wait, don’t hesitate.
As we now know, the average settlement for a herniated disc in Texas is highly dependent on the specific circumstances of the case. Seeking prompt medical attention, documenting everything related to the accident, and filing your injury claim early are crucial steps to ensuring a smooth and successful claims process. We understand how stressful this process can be, but let us assure you – you are not alone.
Research shows that if you hire a skilled attorney to help win your herniated disc injury case, you are likely to receive 3.5x more than you would if you tried to represent yourself. The compassionate team of personal injury attorneys at Angel Reyes & Associates is fully committed to helping you navigate these challenges with skill and empathy.
By taking these steps, you can focus on your recovery, knowing that your settlement is being handled by the most competent and experienced professionals.
Contact us today for a free consultation, or stop by one of our offices in Dallas, Fort-Worth, Houston or Austin so you can meet face-to-face with your advocate, who is ready to fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve. You’re in good hands with Angel Reyes & Associates.
