Degenerative disc disease is common, especially in adults over 40. This often leads people to ask an important question after a crash: can a car accident cause degenerative disc disease? When an accident is involved, insurers may try to reduce or deny your claim by blaming age instead of trauma. So how can you fight back?
This article explains what degenerative disc disease is, whether a car accident can cause or worsen it, and how an Alabama car accident injury attorney can help you pursue compensation.
What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?
The 26 bones along your spine are called vertebrae. Between each vertebra is a small cushion called a disc. These discs have soft, jelly-like cores and tough outer rings. They prevent the vertebrae from rubbing together, act as “shock absorbers,” and allow flexible movement.
Over time, however, discs can become dehydrated or tear. These changes cause them to shrink or lose elasticity, which is known as degenerative disc disease (“DDD”). As discs become smaller and more rigid, they can no longer effectively cushion the spine. Without that cushioning, problems can develop. For example, some cases of DDD lead to bony growths (spurs) that can pinch nearby nerves.
The leading cause of DDD is age. While factors like smoking, obesity, and poor posture can increase risk, degeneration is often a natural part of aging. Research shows that over 30% of adults in their 20s already have signs of DDD, and this rises to 96% in people over 80.
Can a Car Accident Cause Degenerative Disc Disease?
Technically, car accidents do not directly cause degenerative disc disease, since DDD primarily develops over time. However, a car accident can play a major role in causing, accelerating, or worsening disc degeneration in several important ways.
First, trauma from an accident can damage a spinal disc. Because discs do not heal well, this damage can lead to faster degeneration over time. In this way, an accident can contribute to the development of DDD earlier than it would have occurred naturally.
Second, many people have degenerative disc disease without symptoms. A car accident can trigger pain by causing small tears, inflammation, or nerve irritation in already weakened discs. As a result, someone who previously had no symptoms may begin to experience pain, tingling (“pins and needles”), numbness, weakness, or muscle spasms.
Finally, if you already had DDD, a car accident can significantly worsen it. For example, the thin bony plates around each disc can be bruised or cracked in a crash, causing the disc to deteriorate faster. Similarly, a tear in the disc’s outer wall can accelerate breakdown and increase pain in an already degenerating spine.
Can I Still File a Claim if I Had Degenerative Disc Disease Before My Accident?
To succeed in a personal injury claim, you must show that your DDD is connected to the car accident. The good news is that Alabama follows the “eggshell skull rule.” This means the at-fault party cannot avoid responsibility simply because you were more vulnerable to injury due to a pre-existing condition.
Even so, the other driver’s insurance company will likely argue that your condition is due to aging, not the crash. You can counter this by showing a measurable change after the accident. Helpful evidence includes:
- Pre-accident medical records showing your condition before the crash
- Post-accident records, including MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays showing new or worsened disc damage
- Symptom documentation, such as a journal tracking pain levels, new symptoms, and when they began
Can I Get Compensation for Degenerative Disc Disease After a Car Accident?
If you and your Birmingham injury attorney can show that the accident caused or worsened your degenerative disc disease, you may be entitled to compensation. This can help cover expenses such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
The amount you recover depends on how clearly you can link the accident to your condition, the severity of the damage, how it impacts your life, and whether you were partially at fault. Your Alabama accident injury attorney can explain the typical damages available in cases like yours.
If Your Accident Caused Degenerative Disc Disease Pain, You Have Rights
Whether your degenerative disc disease developed after a crash or worsened because of one, you still have rights. Insurance companies may try to minimize your claim, but strong evidence can prove the connection.
A Birmingham car accident attorney can help by:
- Working with medical experts to link your condition to the accident
- Challenging insurance company arguments
- Addressing claims that you were at fault
- Preparing your case for settlement or trial
If you need legal help for degenerative disc disease or another injury after a car accident, contact Collins Law. We’re committed to helping clients recover the compensation they deserve. Call us today at 205-588-1411 or use our website’s online scheduling tool to request a free consultation.
