Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers | September 10, 2025 | Personal Injury
A herniated disc at the C4/C5 or C5/C6 level of your cervical spine creates pain that disrupts your daily life. These injuries often result from accidents, and they affect your ability to work, move freely, and rest.
In this article, we’ll explain what a herniated disc means, the symptoms that point to it, the accidents that cause it, treatment options, long-term consequences, and how it influences personal injury claims. We also outline how to prove the cause of your injury and why working with a personal injury attorney protects your rights.
What a Herniated Disc at C4/C5 or C5/C6 Means
A herniated disc develops when the soft inner core of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in the tougher exterior. When this occurs at the C4/C5 or C5/C6 levels of the cervical spine, the disc presses against nerves or the spinal cord.
Pressure on these nerves creates pain, weakness, and numbness. The C4/C5 disc lies between the fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae, while the C5/C6 disc rests between the fifth and sixth. Both areas move frequently, which makes them more vulnerable to accident-related injury.
The C4/C5 level affects the deltoid and biceps muscles. Herniation at this level often reduces shoulder and upper arm strength. The C5/C6 level controls the wrist extensors, so a herniation there causes difficulty pulling your wrist backward. Doctors test reflexes and strength to determine which disc sustained damage.
Do not ignore pain or weakness in your upper body. Those symptoms often point to a herniated disc that requires medical evaluation.
Symptoms Linked to Cervical Disc Herniation
The symptoms depend on where the disc herniation occurred and how severely it compresses the nerves. Many patients report sharp neck pain that extends into the shoulder, arm, or hand. Others experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in those areas.
Muscle spasms often occur in the neck or shoulder as well. In rare cases, loss of bladder or bowel control signals a severe spinal injury that requires emergency treatment.
Headaches near the base of the skull also accompany herniated discs. These cervicogenic headaches begin in the neck and radiate upward. Many patients lose part of their normal range of motion, which makes it difficult to turn the head fully or look up and down.
Shooting pains, burning sensations, and pins and needles feelings in the arms or fingers are also common. If you notice any of these symptoms, you need medical care to confirm the diagnosis and begin treatment.
Accidents That Lead to Herniated Discs
Several types of accidents can cause herniated cervical discs.
Common causes include:
- Motor vehicle accidents – Rear-end collisions often cause whiplash, forcing the neck forward and back with enough force to damage spinal discs. Even low-speed crashes can result in lasting injuries.
- Falls – Slipping on a wet floor or falling from a height can cause the head or neck to strike the ground, herniating a disc.
- Sports accidents – Contact sports like football or hockey expose athletes to repetitive neck trauma that may damage discs.
- Workplace accidents – Jobs involving heavy lifting, awkward movements, or repetitive strain put workers at high risk. Construction and warehouse employees are especially vulnerable.
- Physical assaults – Direct blows to the cervical spine may cause disc herniation and other neck injuries.
Symptoms may appear right after an accident, or they can develop gradually over several days.
How Herniated Discs Affect Personal Injury Claims
A herniated disc from an accident often plays a major role in your personal injury claim. The value of the claim depends on the severity of the injury, the effect on your daily life, and the medical treatment required. You may pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain, and reduced quality of life.
Proving the Cause of a Herniated Disc in an Accident Case
Linking the herniated disc directly to the accident is central to your case. Medical records, imaging scans such as MRIs or CTs, and doctor testimony establish the presence and cause of the injury. A medical expert can explain how the forces from the accident damaged the disc. Witness statements, police reports, and accident reconstructions also help confirm how the accident occurred.
Contact the Clermont Personal Injury Attorneys at Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Cervical disc injuries interfere with your ability to work or enjoy daily life. A comprehensive recovery plan often requires medical treatment for both the physical and emotional effects of the injury.
If you suffered a herniated disc in an accident, Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Clermont personal injury attorney.
For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
We proudly serve Fort Lauderdale, Clermont, and its surrounding areas:
Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
633 S Andrews Ave Ste 401, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 361-3997
Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
1655 E Hwy 50 ste 316, Clermont, FL 34711
(352) 77-33866