It is not uncommon for those involved in a vehicle accident to experience some sort of back or neck pain as a result of the force of the collision. Even when a person is wearing a seatbelt and if the airbags deploy, the body is still often jolted in unnatural positions, which can put significant strain on the spine, muscles, and ligaments. Many people develop symptoms of neck or spinal injuries after an accident, but this may only result in mild discomfort that resolves within a week or two.
However, some symptoms can be delayed, and a person may not experience them until hours or even days after the crash. One of the most commonly misunderstood conditions that develop after vehicle accidents is known as spinal stenosis. Here, our Chicago car accident lawyers want to examine what this is, how it can be caused by a vehicle accident, and whether or not you can recover compensation for this type of injury.
What is Spinal Stenosis?
Information available from the Mayo Clinic shows that “spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine.” Even though some people with spinal stenosis may have no symptoms at all, other individuals can experience pain, numbing, tingling, and muscle weakness, and these symptoms can worsen over time.
Spinal stenosis usually occurs due to wear and tear over time or from changes in the spine related to osteoarthritis. However, spinal stenosis can occur as a result of a traumatic incident.
How is Spinal Stenosis Caused by a Car Accident?
The mechanisms of a car accident often mean that drivers and passengers sustain a range of types of injuries. When a collision occurs, this usually means that the body will experience both deceleration and acceleration forces very rapidly. A jerking back and forth of the body is not uncommon, and this can place immense pressure on various areas of the neck and back. This can include movements that put pressure on the spine and narrow the spinal column. If this narrowing puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, this can lead to stenosis.
Can You Prove This Injury to an Insurance Carrier?
Car accident victims should be able to recover compensation if the incident was caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver. However, securing this compensation can be challenging. First, it is crucial for any car accident victim to have thorough documentation of all injuries that occur as a result of the crash. This means seeking immediate medical care and continuing all medical treatment plans recommended by a doctor until a person reaches maximum medical improvement. A doctor needs to know about any pain a car accident victim experiences, including minor, moderate, or severe back pain that could be linked to spinal stenosis.
When working to secure compensation for spinal stenosis after a vehicle accident, insurance carriers for the at-fault party will likely push back against paying these bills. They may try to say that the spinal stenosis was already present or was caused by some other injury. A skilled personal injury attorney in Chicago will be able to consult with various medical professionals to help prove that their client’s spinal stenosis was caused by a vehicle accident.