Damage to the discs in your back and neck are quite common in Louisville car accidents.  The problem for many people is they don’t realize how serious the damage to their discs will be for weeks or even months after the accident.  This is why it is so important to see your doctor, primary care physician or visit an urgent care within 24 hours of an accident, even if you feel ok.

The forces in a car accident are quite powerful and take a toll on the human body.  Your back and neck were not designed to take the force of an impact from the side, front or rear of your car.  Even if you are wearing safety belts, the sudden movements during an accident can cause serious and permanent damage to your back and neck.  Your spinal column is made up of several vertebrae protect the spinal cord while providing support to the entire body.  These vertebrae are separated from one another by cushions called discs.

The force of the impact may jar the spinal column resulting in many issues, including damage to the discs in your back and neck and alignment problems.  When the vertebrae press down upon the discs in the upper or cervical spine, a disc injuries (such as herniated discs, bulging discs, and annular tears) may result.  Herniated and bulging discs can go unnoticed for weeks or months, but ultimately produce severe and often debilitating and painful symptoms.  The force of the accident can also result in small tears or punctures in the discs.  The disc is filled with a fluid which provides the padding for the vertebrae surrounding it.  A small tear allows the fluid to leak out over the course of several weeks or a few months.  Clients who felt relatively fine immediately after an accident often find themselves bedridden, in severe pain and requiring extensive medical care and treatment within a short time after a car accident.

It is important to see a doctor and contact the experienced Louisville personal injury attorneys at Hargadon, Lenihan & Herrington or call (866) 583-9701 for a free consultation, even if you feel relatively fine after an accident.