Can a Car Accident Cause Spondylosis? – St. Louis Injury Attorney

Spondylosis is a degenerative condition of the spine in which the discs are compressed and damaged, joints are affected, or other spine structures are compromised.

When filing a car accident claim as a victim, you carry the burden of proof regarding your injuries: you have to provide hard evidence that indicates the treatment you receive as reasonable and necessary. Every evidence provided in your case must link your injuries directly to the accident. 

With this in mind, let’s continue by defining spondylosis and determine if a can accident can cause this condition.

What Is Spondylosis?

Spondylosis is a degenerative condition of the spine in which the discs are compressed and damaged, joints are affected, or other spine structures are compromised. Spondylosis occurs naturally, often because of weight problems, improper posture, or repetitive movements that aren’t done ergonomically. 

Typically, spondylosis is not caused by direct trauma, so a car accident generally cannot trigger this condition. However, if someone has spondylosis, even without symptoms, a car accident can aggravate this condition and make the victim’s life more difficult, raising the level of pain and limiting mobility. 

Having spondylosis certainly increases the chance of suffering from back injuries in a car accident. 

Can You File a Claim for an Aggravation of Spondylosis?

From a legal point of view, you can generally only file a claim for damage that you suffer as a direct result of a car accident that was caused by someone’s negligence. Insurance companies often try to avoid paying a lot of money to people making claims by stating that their condition was pre-existing and that the claim is therefore not justified.

However, if your spondylosis got worse due to the car accident, you can file a claim for the difference this trauma made in your health condition and quality of life. For instance, if the pain caused by your spondylosis was normally at a level of 2/10, but after the accident, it got to be 7/10, you can file a claim for the difference between the two circumstances.

That’s why it’s so important to go to a doctor as soon as possible after a car accident. Even a minor impact can cause significant damage that might not show right away. Or, if you had a pre-existing condition you weren’t aware of, it can exacerbate it, dramatically affecting your quality of life. 

Speak With a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney

If you suffer from a condition that gets aggravated by a car accident, speak with an experienced St. Louis auto accident lawyer as soon as possible. The insurance company will likely try to claim that your injury was not caused by the accident, and the evidence you provide must prove the way your life changed as a result of the accident.

This kind of case is best handled by an attorney who knows what insurance companies will demand and how to defend your rights.