If you’ve been in a car crash or fall and are now dealing with neck pain, you may be facing a serious spinal injury. One of the most common injuries from these events is a herniated disc in the C4/C5 or C5/C6 levels of the cervical spine. This type of injury can cause lasting pain, muscle weakness, and even permanent disability. In this blog, we’ll explain everything you need to know about a personal injury claim for C4/C5 and C5/C6 herniation, including how our law firm can help you recover compensation through a free consultation.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc is a common but often misunderstood spinal injury. It occurs when the soft, gel-like center of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in its outer layer, pressing on nearby nerves. Depending on the location of the herniation, the pressure can cause pain, numbness, or weakness.
The spine consists of small bones called vertebrae, separated by discs that cushion movement and protect the spinal cord. Each vertebra is labeled by region: C for cervical (neck), T for thoracic (mid-back), and L for lumbar (lower back), followed by a number indicating its level, such as C4 or C5.
While herniated discs can occur anywhere along the spine, the cervical spine is particularly vulnerable. Accidents like car crashes, falls, or sudden impacts can force the neck into unnatural positions, leading to disc injuries. The C4/C5 and C5/C6 levels are the most commonly affected areas in the neck. Herniation at these levels can compress nerves or the spinal cord, resulting in pain, limited mobility, and disruptions to daily activities like working, driving, and self-care.
Symptoms of a C4/C5 or C5/C6 Herniated Disc
The exact symptoms you experience depend on which disc is affected and which nerves are compressed. Here are the most common symptoms for C4/C5 and C5/C6 herniated discs.
C4/C5 Herniation Symptoms:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Shoulder pain, especially near the top of the shoulders
- Weakness in the deltoid muscle (upper arm)
- Difficulty lifting your arm away from your body
C5/C6 Herniation Symptoms:
- Pain radiating from the neck into the arms
- Numbness or tingling in the hands
- Weakness in the biceps or wrist
- Trouble performing tasks that involve gripping or lifting
Don’t Wait to Get Evaluated
Herniated disc symptoms don’t always appear immediately. In many cases, pain, numbness, or weakness may develop days or weeks after the accident. Delaying medical care can worsen your injuries and give insurance companies an excuse to question whether your condition is truly accident-related. Getting a timely diagnosis not only helps your recovery, but it also strengthens your personal injury claim.
From Impact to Injury: How Accidents Damage the Cervical Spine
After a crash or fall, the force of impact can cause your neck to snap forward and backward in an instant. This sudden, violent motion often puts extreme pressure on the discs in your cervical spine, leading to tears, bulges, or herniations.
Even low-speed accidents, ones that seem minor at first, can result in serious neck injuries because of how vulnerable the upper spine is. Without prompt medical attention, these injuries can worsen over time, leading to chronic pain, nerve damage, and lasting physical limitations.
Common causes of C4/C5 and C5/C6 herniation include:
- Rear-end or head-on motor vehicle accidents
- Slips, trips, or falls
- Motorcycle or bicycle crashes
- Workplace accidents
- Heavy lifting injuries
How a Herniated Disc Can Change Your Routine and Quality of Life
A cervical herniated disc can affect far more than just your neck. It often limits mobility and strength in your upper body, making once-simple tasks physically exhausting. For many people, daily routines become frustrating or even impossible, especially when pain lingers or worsens over time. If the injury is severe or untreated, it can result in lasting disability and a diminished quality of life.
Common daily challenges caused by cervical disc herniation:
- Difficulty sleeping as a result of neck or arm pain
- Limited ability to sit at a desk or use a computer comfortably
- Reduced strength when lifting, carrying, or reaching overhead
- Struggles with driving, especially during longer trips
- Missing work or important events because of chronic pain or limited mobility
How Long Does Recovery Take for a Herniated Disc?
Recovery from a C4/C5 or C5/C6 herniated disc depends on the severity of the injury, how quickly treatment begins, and how well your body responds to care. Mild cases may heal in weeks, while more serious injuries, especially those requiring surgery, can take several months or longer. In some situations, long-term complications such as chronic pain or nerve damage may require ongoing management. Early diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan are essential for the best outcome.
Common treatment options include:
- Rest and activity modification
- Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers
- Physical therapy to improve mobility and strengthen neck muscles
- Steroid injections to reduce inflammation and nerve pain
- Chiropractic care or gentle spinal adjustments
- Epidural injections for more severe nerve root pain
- Surgery such as discectomy or spinal fusion for cases that don’t improve with conservative care
The Importance of Medical Evidence in Your Herniated Disc Claim
A strong personal injury claim for C4/C5 and C5/C6 herniation can depend on solid medical documentation. Because herniated discs are soft tissue injuries, they are often invisible on standard X-rays. Instead, doctors rely on advanced imaging tests, such as MRIs or CT scans, to accurately diagnose the injury and assess its severity. These diagnostic images, combined with detailed medical records and physician reports, provide the critical proof needed to connect your injury to the accident and support your claim with the insurance company.
Helpful medical documentation includes:
- MRI or CT scan results
- Doctor’s notes and specialist evaluations
- Physical therapy progress reports
- Treatment plans for pain management
- Notes about how your injury limits daily activity
When an Accident Makes an Existing Injury Worse
Having a pre-existing condition, such as degenerative disc disease, does not prevent you from pursuing a personal injury claim, especially if the accident made that condition worse. This is known as an aggravation of a pre-existing condition, and it is fully compensable under California personal injury law. Medical experts often compare your medical records from before and after the accident to show how the trauma increased your pain, limited your mobility, or accelerated your condition. If your symptoms became more severe because of someone else’s negligence, you still have the right to seek compensation.
What You Can Recover After a Herniated Disc Injury
A herniated disc can disrupt every part of your life, from your health to your ability to work and enjoy daily activities. If someone else’s carelessness caused your injury, you shouldn’t be left to cover the costs on your own. A personal injury claim can help you recover the costs of treatment, missed income, and the emotional toll of living with chronic pain.
Here’s what you may be entitled to pursue with the help of an experienced attorney:
- Emergency room and doctor visits
- Physical therapy and steroid injections
- Surgery or long-term pain management
- Lost income or missed work
- Future medical expenses
- Pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life
Every herniated disc injury is different, and the value of your claim depends on the facts of your case. Our law firm can walk you through your options during a free consultation.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney
Filing a personal injury claim for C4/C5 and C5/C6 herniation can be overwhelming, especially when you’re up against insurance companies focusing on protecting their profits rather than helping injured victims. Without experienced legal representation, you may end up with a settlement that doesn’t come close to covering your medical bills, lost wages, or long-term care needs. Insurance adjusters often use delay tactics, question the severity of your injury, or offer quick, lowball payouts to close the case for as little as possible.
That’s where we come in. Our team thoroughly investigates how your injury occurred to establish who’s at fault. We work closely with medical experts to show how the accident caused or worsened your disc herniation and how it continues to affect your daily life. We handle every step from collecting and organizing strong medical evidence to negotiating directly with the insurance company on your behalf. If the insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement, we’re prepared to file a lawsuit and advocate for your rights in court.
With no upfront costs and no legal fees unless we win your case, you can focus on healing while we fight to secure the full compensation you deserve.
Speak with Our Personal Injury Attorney at No Cost to You!
If you’re suffering from a C4/C5 or C5/C6 herniated disc after a car accident, fall, or other serious incident, you deserve to understand your legal options. Medical bills, lost income, and chronic pain can add overwhelming stress to an already difficult situation. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are here to guide you through the claims process, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation you need to recover fully.
At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, we offer free consultations with no upfront fees. You pay nothing unless we win your case. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on healing. Call us today or fill out our online form to schedule your free case review and take the first step toward securing the financial recovery you deserve!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should consult with an experienced attorney for advice on your specific situation.
