What is an MRI?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a machine that takes a detailed picture of structures in the body by using powerful magnets, radio waves, and a computer. The images taken from the MRI are seen in cross-sections or “slices” of the body part that is scanned.
How does an MRI differ from an X-ray?
After a car accident, one of the first things doctors or medical professionals will do is get x-rays. This is a standard procedure to assess broken bones, dislocated joints, bone fragments, and other internal injuries. An x-ray uses radiation to produce an image of the body’s internal structure, however, it isn’t ideal when diagnosing herniated discs and/or soft-tissue damage from whiplash.
An MRI, however, gives detailed images of the soft-tissue structures of the body. This includes muscles, cartilage, ligaments, discs, tendons, and blood vessels, as well as the bones.
Why You Should Consider an MRI in Addition to X-Rays after an Injury
If the injuries sustained in a car wreck are extremely serious, like when the catastrophic spinal injury is suspected, an MRI is almost automatically prescribed.
However, it typically isn’t common practice for low impact or minor accidents like rear end fender benders or slip and falls. This is despite the fact that even low impact accidents can cause serious injuries that only an MRI can show.
Because our bodies produce adrenaline as an immediate protective response to the shock of a car wreck or other traumatic events, injuries may not be noticeable right away. This can lead people to believe that they aren’t actually injured and fail to seek medical treatment. Seeking medical treatment should be one of the first things you do after an accident.
This is for a few reasons: 1) it will document and corroborate the accident in the doctor’s notes; 2) can begin the process of assessing injuries and creating a treatment plan, and 3) will help to assure you receive maximum compensation for your claim. The longer you wait (i.e., more than a couple months) to get treatment, the higher the likelihood your personal injury claim will be denied.
Is the Cost of an MRI Worth It?
If your injuries are relatively minor like cuts, scrapes, or bruises, then it’s probably unlikely that you’d need an MRI.
But if you’re experiencing head, neck, back, shoulder pain, or shooting pain down your arms or legs, it is probably a good idea to get one. Going in for an MRI will better help your doctors to diagnose the injury and prescribe a more effective treatment plan.
While MRI’s can be quite costly ($1500-2000+), some of the cost may be covered by your healthcare. In addition, some companies will do MRI’s on a lien or offer a cash price out of pocket for a fraction of the cost. Although the cost may be high, the benefits of getting an MRI far outweigh the negatives.
MRI’s Can Show Causation of Your Injuries from the Accident
One of the critical parts to proving negligence for damages is the element of causation. This means that the accident (and not something else) is the cause of your injuries.
For example, an MRI is able to demonstrate that radiating pain from your neck down to your shoulder, shoulder blades, arm, head, and lower back is from a herniated disc in your neck. It can also explain why you’re experiencing pain in different parts of your body.
MRI’s are able to paint a clear picture tying your injuries to the accident and demonstrating to car insurance companies that it isn’t fake or an exaggeration. The image can show extensive damage to your vertebrae, discs, ligaments, tendons, and muscles in your neck and back. It may also confirm important information like the angle of impact and how that added to your injury.
Some of the areas MRI’s can show hidden trauma are:
• Soft-tissue damage
• Muscle damage
• Spinal cord
• Brain and head
• Neck
• Back
• Internal bleeding or other internal injuries
• Craniofacial damage (the skull bones that enclose the brain but aren’t in the face or jaw)
What Happens During an MRI?
When you go in for an MRI, you will lay down and a machine will slowly move you into what looks like a giant tube. The length of the time will depend on whether you have an open or closed MRI. Usually, MRI’s will take between 10-30 minutes, sometimes longer. You will be asked to stay as still as possible.
During the MRI there will be a loud noise that sounds like something is pounding on the tube. Headphones are given to block out some of the noise.
Waiting to See the Problem Can Lead to Lifelong Injury
The following example is a story of how failing to get an MRI early on can hurt you.
A younger man was stopped at an intersection and rear-ended at 45 mph. He declined to go to the ER but felt sore enough the next day to go to urgent care. The nurse practitioner prescribed ice, rest, and aspirin for pain and said not to return to work for a day or two.
The next day he could barely move and his neck and back were in excruciating pain and his leg was numb. He returned to the urgent care and was seen by a doctor who took x-rays. Because the x-rays failed to show any herniations, he was prescribed pain medication, advised to further rest, and to go to occupational therapy.
After several visits, his symptoms didn’t improve and a friend recommended getting an MRI because it could show a better image of the spine than an x-ray. He had difficulty obtaining the MRI because of his insurance and instead had to get a referral to a surgeon who then requested the MRI.
The MRI revealed a herniated disc and the sciatic nerve was being pressed upon by a bone chip. When finally being referred to a neurosurgeon, he was told that surgery should’ve happened a long time ago and not been delayed. Because of the delay in treatment, there was permanent damage resulting in numbness in the toes, heel, and back of the leg and causing him to walk with a slight limp.
The sad reality is that we’ve seen this story in different versions many times. I can speak from personal experience, not just as a lawyer, about the ice, rest, and aspirin part and finding significant injury with an MRI.
If you’ve been injured and your pain and/or other symptoms aren’t adequately explained by x-rays, you should absolutely insist on an MRI. Even if your insurance provider makes it inconvenient. You always have to remember—this is your health at risk. If injury or symptoms go untreated, they could truly come forward in 5 or 10 years requiring surgery you wouldn’t have needed otherwise. When it comes to your health, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
A Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
My name is Dan Hanecak and I am a Sacramento personal injury attorney. If you were injured by the negligence or reckless behavior of another, it’s not your responsibility to shoulder the burden that comes with it—no matter what insurance companies might say . When you call our law office, you’ll speak with me directly to discuss your case. I will give you free and honest advice and help you determine your next step.
Let us help you through this time and work with you side by side throughout the entire process. You can reach me at (916) 619-5452 or by filling out the form on our website and I will call you back personally.
