Sciatica After a Car Accident in New York City

Understanding Your Pain, Treatment Options & Legal Rights

Greenstein & Pittari, LLP – Trusted New York City Car Accident Attorneys

A serious car accident in New York City can change your life in an instant. One moment you’re driving on the FDR, the BQE, the Cross Bronx, or Flatbush Avenue; the next, you’re dealing with pain that makes it hard to sit, walk, or work.

For many crash victims in NYC, that pain turns out to be sciatica – radiating nerve pain that starts in the lower back and shoots down the leg. Sciatica after a car accident is not normal soreness, and it’s often tied to spinal injuries that deserve immediate medical care and strong legal representation.

Suppose you’re experiencing radiating leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness after a car crash in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island. In that case, the New York City car accident lawyers at Greenstein & Pittari, LLP are here to help you:

• Understand your diagnosis
• Get proper treatment
• Fight for the compensation you deserve under New York law

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is nerve pain caused by compression, irritation, or inflammation of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body. The sciatic nerve:

• Starts in the lower spine
• Travels through the hips and buttocks
• Runs down the back of each leg into the foot

When a car accident in New York City pinches or damages this nerve, you may feel:

• Sharp, shooting, burning, or electric pain in the lower back
• Pain radiating into the buttock, down one leg, and into the foot
• Tingling or “pins and needles” in the leg, foot, or toes
• Numbness or weakness in the leg or foot
• Pain that worsens when sitting, bending, twisting, coughing, or sneezing
• Reduced mobility or difficulty standing and walking

In severe cases, sciatica can cause loss of bladder or bowel control, which is a medical emergency.

Sciatica is a symptom, not a standalone diagnosis. It usually indicates an underlying back or spinal injury – often caused or aggravated by a New York City motor vehicle accident.

Can a New York City Car Accident Cause Sciatica?

Yes. Absolutely. A New York City car accident can directly cause sciatica or make a preexisting condition much worse.

NYC collisions subject your spine to sudden, extreme forces – whether it’s a rear-end crash on the West Side Highway, a T-bone accident in Midtown, or an Uber/Lyft collision in Brooklyn. Even a so-called “minor” impact can lead to structural changes that compress the sciatic nerve.

Common Accident-Related Causes of Sciatica

Herniated or Bulging Discs
Impact can cause discs in the lumbar spine to bulge, tear, or rupture, pressing on the sciatic nerve roots.

Spinal Misalignment
A crash can shift vertebrae out of place, narrowing the openings where nerves exit the spine and pinching the sciatic nerve.

Bone Fractures or Bone Spurs
Broken vertebrae or bone fragments can intrude into the nerve pathway. Trauma can also accelerate degenerative changes and cause bone spurs that compress the nerve.

Soft-Tissue Damage & Swelling
Inflamed muscles, ligaments, and soft tissue in the lower back and pelvis can compress the sciatic nerve, increasing pressure over time.

Aggravation of Preexisting Conditions
Many New Yorkers have degenerative disc disease, arthritis, or disc bulges that cause little or no pain before a crash. A collision can “wake up” these conditions and trigger painful sciatica.

Under New York law, the at-fault driver remains responsible even when a collision exacerbates a preexisting condition. They take you as you are.

Common Sciatica Symptoms After a Car Accident in NYC

Sciatica feels significantly different from a typical backache. After a New York City car accident, you may notice:

• Radiating pain from the lower back or buttocks down one leg
• Pain described as sharp, burning, stabbing, or electric
• Pain that is worse in the leg than in the lower back
• Numbness, tingling, or a “film”-like sensation around the leg
• Weakness in the leg or trouble lifting the front of the foot (foot drop)
• Pain that worsens with sitting, driving, bending, coughing, or sneezing
• Difficulty walking, climbing subway stairs, standing in line, or sitting at a desk

Emergency red-flag symptoms:

• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Sudden, severe leg weakness
• Rapidly worsening numbness

These require immediate medical attention.

Symptoms can start right after the crash, or they may arise hours, days, or even weeks later as swelling and disc changes progress. Delayed onset is typical and does not mean your sciatica is unrelated to the NYC accident.

When Should You See a Doctor in New York City?

After any car accident in NYC, you should get evaluated – even if you think the pain is “not that bad.” You should definitely seek medical attention if you notice:

• Radiating leg pain that lasts more than 1–2 weeks
• Increasing numbness, burning, or tingling
• Weakness in the leg or difficulty lifting your foot
• Trouble standing, walking, or bearing weight
• Any bladder or bowel control issues (call 911)

Early diagnosis:

• Helps prevent permanent nerve damage
• Gets you into appropriate treatment
• Creates vital medical documentation that your New York car accident claim will rely on

How Doctors Diagnose Accident-Related Sciatica

To determine whether your sciatica is related to a New York City car accident, your doctors may use:

Physical Examination

• Posture and spinal alignment
• Muscle strength and reflexes
• Sensation (numbness and tingling)
• Gait and range of motion
• Straight-leg raise and other orthopedic tests

Imaging & Diagnostic Testing

• X-rays – Detect fractures or structural changes
• MRI – Reveal disc herniations, soft-tissue injuries, and nerve compression
• CT scans – Provide detailed bone imaging
• EMG/Nerve conduction studies – Measure nerve function and pinpoint where the nerve is compressed

These tests not only guide treatment – they are crucial evidence when your NYC car accident lawyer proves that your sciatica is trauma-related, not “just age.”

Treatment Options for Sciatica After a Car Accident

Treatment for sciatica after a New York City car crash depends on how severe the nerve compression is and how long your symptoms have lasted.

Medical Management

• Prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medications
• Muscle relaxants to reduce spasm
• Neuropathic pain medications (certain anti-seizure or antidepressant drugs)
• Physical therapy to strengthen your core, improve posture, and restore mobility

Rehabilitative & Holistic Care

Many New York City accident victims find relief with:

• Chiropractic adjustments to restore spinal alignment
• Massage therapy to reduce muscle tension
• Acupuncture and other pain-management techniques

Chiropractic care is often most effective when coordinated with your medical treatment and guided by imaging such as an MRI or CT scan.

Interventional Pain Treatments

• Epidural steroid injections
• Nerve-block injections
• Radiofrequency ablation in some instances

These procedures can reduce inflammation around the nerve and provide more sustained pain relief.

Surgical Options (Severe Cases)

Surgery is generally a last resort, but may be needed when:

• Pain is severe and persistent despite conservative care
• You develop significant weakness or foot drop
• You lose bladder or bowel control
• Imaging shows serious disc or spinal damage

Common surgeries include:

• Microdiscectomy
• Laminectomy
• Spinal decompression or stabilization procedures
• Removal of bone fragments or spurs

All of this care is costly – and in severe New York City sciatica cases, treatment can be long-term or permanent.

Lifestyle Adjustments That May Reduce Sciatica Flare-Ups

In addition to medical treatment, your providers may recommend:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Practicing safe lifting techniques (bend at knees, not at the waist)
• Using lumbar support at your NYC office job or when driving
• Taking regular walk breaks during workdays
• Adjusting daily activities to avoid movements that trigger sciatic pain

These changes can help you manage symptoms and support your recovery, but they do not replace proper medical care.

New York No-Fault & Your Right to Compensation

Who Pays for Sciatica Treatment in New York City?

Under New York’s No-Fault insurance system, your own auto insurance (or the host vehicle’s No-Fault coverage, if you were a passenger) generally pays for:

• Medical treatment, including physical therapy and chiropractic care
• A portion of lost wages
• Diagnostic testing (X-rays, MRI, CT, EMG)
• Medication
• Transportation to and from medical appointments
• Certain household replacement services

However, No-Fault benefits are limited and often do not cover all of your losses when you have severe sciatica and long-term disability.

Suing the At-Fault Driver: New York’s “Serious Injury” Rule

If your sciatica qualifies as a “serious injury” under New York law, you can file a lawsuit or bodily injury claim against the at-fault driver. Serious injury can include:

• Documented disc herniations or nerve injuries
• Significant limitation of a body function or system
• A medically determined injury that keeps you out of your usual activities for 90 out of the first 180 days after the crash
• Permanent consequential limitation or permanent loss of use
• Chronic or permanent sciatica supported by imaging

A personal injury claim can recover damages beyond No-Fault, including:

• Full medical expenses (past and future)
• Physical therapy, injections, and surgery
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
• Out-of-pocket expenses and long-term disability damages

What Is a New York City Sciatica Case Worth?

There is no one-size-fits-all “average” settlement for sciatica in NYC. The value of your New York City car accident sciatica case depends on:

• Severity and duration of your pain
• Whether disc herniation or nerve damage is confirmed on MRI or EMG
• Need for injections, long-term therapy, or surgery
• How your injury affects your job in NYC (desk work, physical work, commuting, etc.)
• Whether you can return to your old job or must switch careers
• The overall impact on your daily life and independence
• The at-fault driver’s insurance policy limits
• The strength and consistency of your medical documentation

Severe nerve injuries that require surgery or cause long-term disability can result in substantial six- or seven-figure settlements or verdicts in New York City.

Why Insurance Companies Fight Sciatica Claims

Insurance companies handling NYC car accident cases often try to deny or minimize sciatica claims by arguing:

• “Your pain is age-related.”
• “You had degenerative discs before the accident.”
• “The crash wasn’t serious enough to cause that.”
• “Your symptoms showed up too late to be from the accident.”
• “You’re exaggerating.”

These tactics are designed to reduce payouts, rather than accurately reflect medical reality.

At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, our New York City car accident lawyers know how to counter these arguments with:

• Objective imaging (MRI, CT, X-ray, EMG)
• Strong medical opinions from treating doctors and specialists
• Documentation of how your symptoms changed after the crash
• Pain journals, activity logs, and witness statements
• Work records showing missed time and job restrictions

How Greenstein & Pittari, LLP Helps Sciatica Victims in New York City

Our NYC personal injury attorneys handle every aspect of your sciatica claim so you can focus on healing.

We will:

• Investigate the accident and identify all liable parties
• Obtain the police report, witness statements, and any available video
• Gather and analyze your medical records and diagnostic imaging
• Work with orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, spine and pain specialists, and chiropractors
• Prove that the New York City car accident caused or aggravated your sciatica
• Document your pain levels, mobility limitations, and long-term prognosis
• Calculate your economic and non-economic damages
• Handle all negotiations with insurance companies
• File a lawsuit and take your case to trial if they refuse to be reasonable

You focus on your health. We focus on holding negligent drivers accountable.

Why Injured New Yorkers Choose Greenstein & Pittari

• Local, NYC-based firm with a convenient Harlem office
• Additional locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County
• Exclusively focused on personal injury law
• No fee unless we win – Our Fee Guarantee
• Bilingual services available
• Hundreds of positive client reviews and testimonials
• Top-rated, award-winning lawyers (including Best Lawyers & Super Lawyers honors)

Our motto says it all:

“Don’t Be a Victim Twice.”

If you were hurt in a car accident in New York City – especially if the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured – we are ready to stand up for you.

FAQ: Sciatica & New York City Car Accident Claims

Can a minor NYC fender-bender really cause sciatica?
Yes. Even low-speed crashes can cause disc injuries or soft-tissue trauma that compress the sciatic nerve.

Do sciatica symptoms always appear immediately after the accident?
No. Many New Yorkers develop symptoms days or weeks later, such as swelling and disc changes.

What if I had back problems before the NYC crash?
You can still recover compensation. New York law allows claims for aggravation of preexisting conditions.

Do you know if I need an MRI or EMG to bring a claim?
While not strictly required, imaging such as MRI or EMG significantly strengthens your case and makes it harder for insurers to argue your pain is unrelated.

Is sciatica a “serious injury” under New York’s No-Fault law?
It can be. If sciatica significantly limits your daily activities or work or is supported by objective findings (such as a disc herniation), it may meet the serious injury threshold.

Do I need surgery to have a strong NYC sciatica case?
No. Many successful NYC car accident sciatica claims involve conservative treatment, injections, and long-term pain and limitations.

Do I really need a New York City car accident lawyer?
With nerve-related injuries, such as sciatica, yes. Insurers routinely argue these injuries are age-related or unrelated to the crash. A skilled NYC personal injury attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome.

Sciatica After a Car Accident in New York City? Don’t Be a Victim Twice.

Greenstein & Pittari, LLP – New York City Personal Injury Lawyers Protecting Your Health and Your Future

If you developed sciatica after a car accident anywhere in New York City, you don’t have to face insurance companies and mounting medical bills alone.

Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) for a FREE consultation.
Serving Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx & Staten Island
No fee unless we win your case

The call is free. The consultation is free.
You pay us nothing unless we are successful.

Your health matters. Your future matters.
Let Greenstein & Pittari, LLP fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.