Can a Car Accident Aggravate Scoliosis?
A serious car accident can significantly affect a person’s health and well-being. The severity of a car accident can also lead to serious back and spine injuries, such as scoliosis, a curvature in the spinal column.
In a healthy, uninjured person, the spinal cord is straight, helping to keep the body upright. In cases of scoliosis, the spinal column bends to one side. If you have suffered a serious spinal column injury due to a car accident and are suffering from scoliosis, read on and find out what options may be available.
What is Scoliosis?
While scoliosis can be genetic and therefore discovered after birth and in childhood, the trauma of a serious car accident can also cause the condition. Scoliosis can develop as a degenerative condition, such as muscular dystrophy, degeneration of spinal discs, and congenital issues where the bones do not form properly. Sometimes underlying scoliosis is not directly caused by the impact of the car accident, but it becomes symptomatic for the first time because of the impact from a car accident. Just because scoliosis may have preexisted, the impact of the collision does not negate the fact you were made symptomatic because of the collision. This is known as increased susceptibility or aggravation of a preexisting condition, and you can make a legal claim for it.
If you have been in a car accident and are experiencing pain, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. A severe back injury, such as scoliosis, may be permanent, requiring a long recovery time. Fortunately, scoliosis is relatively easy to diagnose, as it can be detected on an X-ray.
Aside from pain, there are other signs of traumatic scoliosis, including uneven shoulders, numbness or tingling in arms or legs, hip-level discrepancies, and an uneven ribcage.
Treatment for Scoliosis
If you have been diagnosed with scoliosis, there are many ways it can be treated, some options are more invasive than others depending on the severity of the condition. Surgery, specialized back braces, or visits to the chiropractor may be in your future if you have this ailment. This may require you to miss time at work and be limited in your ability to do household chores and other activities. You may also incur significant medical bills.
The doctor’s goal is to limit pain, prevent further curvature of the spine, and improve any symptoms of pain or discomfort. Special exercises and physical therapy, at the direction of your doctor, may help you feel better.
As mentioned, if you are experiencing any back pain after a car crash seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if it seems to be mild at first. You should also seek prompt medical assistance if you have symptoms because, if you delay, the insurance company may use the gap in treatment to deny payment for subsequent medical treatment.
While this all sounds like bad news, the good news is that you may be able to recover compensation from the driver who hit you. Specifically, that driver’s car insurance company will be required to indemnify the driver and pay for the harm he or she may have caused. In New York State, all drivers are required to carry car insurance, and you may qualify to be covered.
Hurt In A Car? Call William Mattar
Negotiating with a car insurance company can be difficult and time-consuming. If you have tried to go this route only to see your efforts come up empty, it may be time to file a personal injury lawsuit in order to be compensated for your car accident injuries. Our injury attorneys at William Mattar law offices can help you with this. If you have suffered a spine injury and are suffering from scoliosis as a result of a car crash, you may have a case. Contact our car accident lawyers to help you file a claim today at (844) 444 - 4444.