Scoliosis can sometimes be a difficult condition to detect. An individual could unknowingly have scoliosis for years before discovering the condition. While car accidents do not cause many cases of scoliosis, in certain circumstances, a crash could cause or worsen the effects of scoliosis. If you or a family member suffered scoliosis after a car accident in Pennsylvania, you should contact an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer or spinal injury attorney for assistance. At The Reiff Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping you pursue your claim aggressively. In this article, our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers explain when a car accident can cause scoliosis.
What is Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a condition identified by an unnatural sideways curvature of the spine. This condition usually occurs around the time an individual enters puberty and has a growth spurt. Other illnesses that may be responsible for scoliosis is cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. However, the exact cause of scoliosis has not yet been discovered.
Most individuals who are diagnosed with scoliosis only experience mild symptoms. To prevent the condition from worsening, a physician may suggest that a person with scoliosis wear a brace. Many people are not even aware that they suffer from scoliosis because they may not notice or exhibit any symptoms. Common signs and symptoms of scoliosis include:
- Uneven shoulder alignment
- Misaligned hips
- Uneven waist
- Having a shoulder blade that protrudes more than the other
- Chronic back pain
While mild cases may go unnoticed, severe cases of scoliosis can cause debilitating symptoms. For example, if the spine curvature is pronounced, it may decrease the amount of room available in the chest and make it difficult for a person’s lungs to function properly. Severe cases of scoliosis may even require surgery to reverse the curvature of the spine.
There are some risk factors that could increase or decrease the likelihood of developing scoliosis. For example, scoliosis can sometimes be a hereditary condition. Girls approaching puberty also have a higher risk of not only suffering from scoliosis, but an increased chance for the curvature to worsen with time.
Car Accident Scoliosis Injuries
While uncommon, scoliosis can potentially occur or worsen because of an auto accident. Severe rear-end car accidents have a higher risk of causing scoliosis than other types of collisions. This is because the rear-end impact will suddenly cause a victim’s head, neck, and back to snap forward during the accident. This can result in the victim’s spine taking damage that could fracture the vertebrae and cause scoliosis. It is also a common cause of whiplash injuries, or neck sprains and strains.
Outside of exceptional and severe cases, it is rare for an individual to suffer from scoliosis because of a car accident. While rear-end collisions often result in minor to severe whiplash, scoliosis is typically a condition that is related to developmental issues early in life. It is difficult to show that a minor car accident was the cause of scoliosis.
Additionally, if you already suffer from scoliosis, there may be a small chance that a car crash could aggravate your scoliosis. As mentioned above, many people can lead normal lives without needing to have surgery for scoliosis. However, if a serious car accident causes their condition to worsen, it is possible that a negligent driver may be responsible for the injury.
It is important to consult a doctor regarding your scoliosis before you file a personal injury lawsuit. The opinion of a qualified health professional may help you understand whether you a car accident caused scoliosis or aggravated its symptoms. Understanding the cause and extent of your injuries is essential before you pursue an injury lawsuit.
It might be natural to infer that a car accident caused you to suffer from scoliosis if you did not show symptoms of the condition before the accident. However, it may be possible that you already had scoliosis and the car accident caused the condition to become more prominent. Regardless of your medical history with scoliosis, you should speak with an experienced Bucks County car accident attorney as soon as possible if you were injured in a crash.
Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyers Handling Back Injury Claims
If you or a family member believes that a vehicular accident was the cause of a scoliosis injury, you should consult with a car crash lawyer for further guidance. The back injury attorneys at The Reiff Law Firm have over four decades of personal injury experience that we are ready to put to work for you and your loved ones. Our firm will explore and analyze the evidence to help you pursue full compensation for your injuries. To schedule a free consultation, call our occupant ejection car accident attorneys at (215) 709-6940, or contact The Reiff Law Firm online.