Yes, a car accident can cause a hernia. Victims generally sustain a hernia when the force of a seatbelt causes significant pressure against the abdominal area.
However, a hernia may be one of several injuries resulting from a car accident. So, a car accident attorney can help you seek fair compensation for a hernia and other crash-related injuries.
What Is a Hernia?
The Cleveland Clinic explains that a hernia occurs when a part of your body—generally in the abdominal or groin area—protrudes unnaturally through the tissue or muscle surrounding it.
You may identify a hernia as an unnatural bulge in your stomach or groin area. The hernia’s location will depend on the type you’ve suffered— some occur in the belly button, while others arise below the waistline.
Symptoms may vary depending on the type of hernia you suffer. However, the Cleveland Clinic notes that additional hernia symptoms include the following:
- Sensitivity to the touch
- Pressure in the hernia area
- A pinching feeling
- A dull ache around the hernia
Are Hernias Serious?
Yes. Healthline notes hernias can cause serious health complications. In addition, although your hernia might not be immediately life-threatening, that could change in an instant. Without a precise diagnosis and treatment plan, hernia patients place their health at risk.
Therefore, you should have a medical professional diagnose all accident-related injuries. Also, be upfront about any symptoms you experience, so your doctors can detect and diagnose any hernia you’ve suffered.
Hiatal Hernia
Johns Hopkins Medicine explains how a hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach enters the chest through a gap in the diaphragm. This type of hernia can cause acid reflux and other conditions that may compromise your immediate and long-term health.
Inguinal Hernia
The Mayo Clinic notes an inguinal hernia can result from “increased pressure within the abdomen.” For example, a seatbelt pressing against a wearer’s abdominal area may produce such pressure. This type of hernia occurs when intestinal or other tissue types push through the abdominal muscle and can also be life-threatening if left untreated.
Acute Traumatic Abdominal Wall Hernia
An acute traumatic abdominal wall hernia is a “rare” injury that happens when the abdominal area receives a sudden impact from a blunt object. For example, a car accident victim may suffer this hernia if a passenger strikes an object with significant force.
Types of Medical Care You May Need for a Car Accident-Related Hernia
Many hernias do not heal without medical care. For example, you might need surgery to repair a car accident-related hernia—an expensive procedure that you might not have the cash on hand to cover.
In addition, you might require other medical care to treat a hernia:
- Hospitalization
- Multiple exams with medical professionals
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications
- Stabilization devices
- In-home care
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
The at-fault driver or other liable parties should cover every medical procedure you must endure because of the crash they caused.
I Think I Suffered a Hernia During a Car Accident. What Should I Do?
If you believe you may have suffered a hernia in a car accident, you should take these steps:
- Get medical care immediately: Whether you saw a doctor after your accident, you might want to seek additional care—especially if you suspect you might have a hernia but have yet to receive a clear diagnosis and treatment plan.
- Hire a lawyer to seek compensation for your hernia: You must complete an insurance claim or lawsuit that spells out why the other driver caused your accident and injured you. Otherwise, you may have to pay out of your pocket for medical care and other losses related to your wreck. Instead, let a car accident lawyer seek fair compensation for your injuries while you focus on recovering from a hernia.
An attorney from our firm can help you seek the medical care you need. However, time is of the essence, so you should seek medical attention as soon as possible because:
- You need to establish a clear link between your crash and hernia; getting immediate medical care is the surest way to establish the connection.
- If you wait too long to get a hernia diagnosis, liable parties might claim your hernia is unrelated to your car accident.
- Your health—and perhaps your life—could be at risk if you have an undiagnosed hernia.
So, keep all images and paperwork for hernia-related medical care and provide them to your car accident lawyer.
Recoverable Damages in Car Accident Cases Involving a Hernia
If you pursue compensation from those who caused your accident and resulting hernia, your recoverable damages may include the following:
- Medical expenses
- Repairs for your vehicle
- Replacement of damaged property (e.g., clothing or a cellphone)
- Any income you lose while recovering from your hernia
- Any bonuses, promotions, or other professional benefits you lose while recovering
- Pain and suffering
Each car accident case is different. Our team will carefully review your damages and calculate a fair settlement value.
Our Law Firm Will Fight for Your Complete Financial Recovery
Our legal team will manage every detail of your car accident case, including the following:
- Obtaining evidence of negligence
- Calculating your settlement value
- Documenting each of your accident-related damages
- Leading settlement negotiations
- Taking your case to court if necessary
Our firm has fought for Texas car accident victims since 1988. Let us use our experience and training to your benefit.
Call Loncar Lyon Jenkins Today for a Free Consultation
We will demand all the compensation you deserve for your hernia and other accident-related losses. Moreover, we would like to start your case as soon as possible. The longer you give us to build your case, the better the odds of success.
Contact Loncar Lyon Jenkins today for your free consultation. When you call, there are no obligations or costs, so don’t wait.
