Ty Robinson | January 7, 2026 | Personal Injury

Many Accidents Can Cause Herniated Discs at C4/C5 or C5/C6. Here's What You Need to Know

Herniated discs are painful injuries that could impact your mobility and ability to live your life as you’re used to. If you have suffered a herniated disc in the cervical area because of another party’s conduct, it can be important to understand what your legal rights are. But what can cause these injuries? 

What Are Herniated Discs?

Your spine is made up of bones called vertebrae. These are stacked on top of one another with vertebral discs separating them. These discs contain a gel-like substance that helps cushion the vertebrae. Without these discs, the bones would rub together, causing pain and limiting your movement. 

A herniated disc occurs when the gel-like substance protrudes through a tear in the disc’s outer ring. This can put pressure on spinal nerves and lead to burning pain and even loss of sensation in the affected area. 

The C4/C5 and C5/C6 discs are located in the cervical region of your spine, which is your neck area. These discs can sustain significant trauma in a variety of accidents.

What Accidents Can Lead to Herniated Discs at C4/C5 or C5/C6?

​​Herniated discs in the cervical spine are often caused by sudden trauma or force that places extreme stress on the neck. 

Common accidents that may lead to C4/C5 or C5/C6 disc herniation include:

  • Car accidents: Especially those involving rear-end collisions and whiplash, where the neck is violently forced back and forth
  • High-speed crashes: Which generate greater force and increase the risk of spinal disc damage
  • Slip and fall accidents: Even at ground level, when the neck absorbs sudden impact
  • Falls from heights: Such as ladders, stairs, or scaffolding
  • Workplace accidents: Including lifting heavy objects improperly or being struck by machinery, or falling materials

In each of these situations, the intense pressure placed on the cervical spine can cause the disc’s soft center to push through its outer layer, resulting in pain, nerve compression, and long-term limitations.

Can You File a Personal Injury Claim for a Herniated Disc?

If your herniated disc occurred because of another party’s negligence or misconduct, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim. These cases often arise after motor vehicle crashes, unsafe property conditions, or workplace incidents caused by improper safety practices.

To move forward, you generally must show that the responsible party owed you a duty of care, failed to act reasonably, and caused your injury as a result. Herniated disc claims often involve significant medical evidence, including imaging studies, treatment records, and expert opinions, to clearly connect the accident to your spinal injury.

Proving a herniated disc claim can be challenging. Insurance companies frequently argue that disc injuries were pre-existing or caused by normal aging rather than trauma. They may also try to shift blame onto you to reduce or deny compensation, which can significantly impact the value of your claim.

In South Carolina, personal injury claims are typically subject to a three-year statute of limitations. Missing this deadline can permanently bar you from recovering compensation, regardless of how serious your injury is. Acting early helps preserve evidence, secure medical documentation, and protect your right to pursue damages for medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Contact the Charleston Personal Injury Attorney at Ty Robinson Personal Injury & Car Accident Law Firm for Help Today

Because filing a claim can be difficult, it’s vital to have a personal injury lawyer by your side when you do so. That’s where Ty Robinson Personal Injury & Car Accident Law Firm can help. 

Our Charleston personal injury lawyer can guide you through every step of the process. With our help, you can receive compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and a variety of other losses. Contact us today for a free consultation.

If you were injured in an accident in Charleston, South Carolina, and need legal help, contact our Charleston personal injury lawyer at Ty Robinson Personal Injury & Car Accident Law Firm to schedule a free case review today.

Ty Robinson Personal Injury & Car Accident Law Firm
28 Broad St Suite 204-2
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 278-2222