Why Won’t The Insurance Company Say My Herniated Disc is From My Auto Accident?
Last updated Wednesday, September 28th, 2022
What If the Insurance Company Says Your Herniated Disc Isn’t from Your Auto Accident? How Can You Protect Your Personal Injury Case?
Some of the most common injuries we see as Hiram car accident lawyers are neck and back injuries. Although, in general, this type of injury is called whiplash, there are varying degrees of whiplash. The most serious type of whiplash is a herniated disc.
What is a Herniated Disc?
Your spine consists of vertebrae that are separated by a sponge-like substance called a disc. When a disc in your spine ruptures, this is known as a herniated disc.
Herniated discs can be in your neck or upper back (cervical), middle back (thoracic), or lower back (lumbar).
How Can Insurance Companies Fight Herniated Disc Injury Claims?
As we get older, we all have developed some level of disc degeneration (disc decrease) at various points in our spine. This comes from the normal wear and tear of the aging process.
Murphy Law Firm has been handling personal injury cases in Georgia for decades. It’s not uncommon for us to see insurance companies fighting personal injury claims that involve a herniated disc from a car accident. They will fight your claim by saying your condition was pre-existing, basically meaning that your herniated disc came from the natural aging process, not an auto accident.
Why is Getting an Attorney for Your Personal Injury (Herniated Disc) Case a Wise Choice?
A fully herniated disc can be a long-term injury, which can cause immense pain and suffering and may require surgery. So don’t let the insurance company try to sweep your case under the rug. Sometimes it’s necessary to protect your rights and hire an attorney to fight the insurance company for all that you are entitled to. With our experience handling cases like yours every day for many years, we know the common tactics that insurance companies use to save themselves from paying in an auto accident case.
Some Mistakes to Avoid to Protect Your Case:
Talking to the Insurance Company About Your Back Injuries – Once the insurance company knows you have back injuries, they will look for ways to lower the value of your case. It is best not to say anything to the insurance companies about your injuries until you at least consult with an attorney (consultations are free at Murphy Law Firm 770-577-3020).
Not Seeing a Medical Professional Right Away: If you wait too long after your accident to get medical help for your herniated disc (or any injury), it can cause a lot of problems when you try to make a claim with the insurance company. The insurance company may claim that because you waited, your injury did not happen because of the accident, but rather if it came from some other incident.
Getting treated right away also ensures that your injuries are being documented as a result of the auto accident right away. This is important evidence. Once sufficient evidence has been collected by an attorney, the attorney can then make a good case to present to the insurance company to get the maximum available for the injured client.
Not Seeing a Medical Professional Because You Don’t Have Health Insurance: Some medical professionals may not want to work with you if you do not have health insurance. Thankfully, some doctors, chiropractors, and orthopedics will work with a patient on a lien basis, meaning the attorney signs a document that the medical professional will get paid upon settlement of the auto accident case.
What is My Herniated Disc Case Worth?
When an injured person calls our office with a herniated disc/back injury case, it is not uncommon for them to ask us how much their case is worth. We have successfully settled herniated disc cases in the past, and a case depends on several factors, a few of which are:
- Who caused the auto accident
- How serious the herniated disc and other injuries are
- If the injury was a pre-existing condition or not
- The amount of insurance available from the at-fault driver
- If the injured party has uninsured/under-insured motorist coverage
Talk to an Attorney About Your Back Injury / Herniated Disc Case Right Away
Our law firm has handled and settled hundreds of serious back injury cases. We know exactly what insurance companies are capable of, and how to protect our clients. We also have access to experts and medical professionals to help you get better and document your injuries efficiently. We also gather evidence and build a strong case for you, while you focus on getting treatment and getting better.
We are available for a free consultation right away, and you will directly meet with attorney James Murphy. Just call 770-577-3020 for a case evaluation and consultation.
