Will You Need Surgery After Your Car Accident In Missouri?

Sansone & Lauber | | Car Accidents
Will You Need Surgery After Your Car Accident In Missouri

Most people hurt in a Missouri car accident do not need surgery, but some do — and only a doctor can tell you after a full exam and testing, which is why you should see a doctor immediately and talk to a Missouri car accident lawyer at Sansone & Lauber before you deal with the insurance company.

You’ve been in a crash. You’re hurting. Maybe the ER told you to “follow up with a specialist.” Maybe someone mentioned the word surgery and now you’re scared and unsure what comes next.

This guide is here to answer one big question in simple terms:

Will I need surgery after my car accident in Missouri — and how does that affect my injury claim?

We’ll walk you through:

  • When car accident injuries usually need surgery

  • Signs you should see a surgeon right away

  • How doctors decide if surgery is needed

  • How surgery can increase the value of your Missouri car accident case

  • Common insurance company tricks in surgery cases

  • What to do right now to protect your health and your claim

Throughout this page, remember one thing:

You should never let an insurance adjuster decide how serious your injuries are or whether you “really” need surgery. That’s between you, your doctors, and — on the legal side — your Missouri car accident lawyer.

At Sansone & Lauber, we help crash victims across Missouri every day. When surgery is on the table, the stakes are higher, and we fight aggressively to make sure you’re not left with unpaid bills, lost wages, and lifelong pain while the insurance company walks away.

1. Do All Car Accident Victims in Missouri Need Surgery?

No.

Most injured people recover with:

  • Rest

  • Medication

  • Physical therapy

  • Chiropractic care

  • Injections or other non-surgical treatment

However, some crashes cause serious damage that often does require surgery. Examples include:

  • Badly broken bones

  • Spine injuries with nerve damage

  • Serious brain injuries

  • Internal organ damage

  • Torn ligaments or tendons in the knees, shoulders, or hips

You can’t tell just by looking at your car, the airbag, or even your bruises whether you’ll need surgery. Some people feel “sore but okay” right after the wreck and later find out they have a major injury.

Key point:
You may feel like it’s “not that bad,” but there could be a serious injury hidden underneath. That’s why you must:

  1. Get medical care.

  2. Follow up with the right specialists.

  3. Talk to a Missouri car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

2. Common Car Accident Injuries That Often Require Surgery

Here are some of the most common crash-related injuries in Missouri that can lead to surgery.

2.1 Broken Bones (Fractures)

You might need surgery if:

  • The bone is out of place (displaced)

  • The bone breaks through the skin (open fracture)

  • The break is near a joint (knee, ankle, shoulder, hip, wrist)

  • The bone will not stay in position with a cast or brace

Surgeons may use:

  • Plates

  • Screws

  • Pins

  • Rods

These hold the bone in the right spot so it can heal correctly. Without proper treatment, you could end up with:

  • Chronic pain

  • Joint problems

  • Arthritis

  • Trouble walking, lifting, or working

2.2 Spine and Back Injuries

Car crashes can damage your spine, including:

  • Herniated or bulging discs

  • Spinal fractures

  • Compressed nerves or spinal cord

Signs of serious spine problems include:

  • Numbness or tingling

  • Weakness in arms or legs

  • Electric, shooting pain down your arm or leg

  • Trouble walking

  • Loss of bladder or bowel control (emergency)

Surgery options may include:

  • Discectomy – removing damaged disc material

  • Spinal fusion – joining bones so the spine is stable

  • Laminectomy – removing bone to relieve pressure on nerves

Spine surgery is a big deal. It usually means a long recovery, time off work, and a major impact on your life — all of which must be fully accounted for in your injury claim.

2.3 Brain and Head Injuries

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can happen when your head hits something or your brain is shaken inside your skull.

Surgery may be needed to:

  • Remove blood clots

  • Relieve pressure from swelling

  • Fix skull fractures

Brain injuries can change your:

  • Memory

  • Mood

  • Personality

  • Ability to work

These are life-changing injuries. Your lawyer must understand how to prove the full impact, not just the hospital bill.

2.4 Internal Organ Injuries

High-speed crashes can damage organs like:

  • Spleen

  • Liver

  • Lungs

  • Kidneys

  • Intestines

Internal bleeding can be deadly and may require emergency surgery. You may not always see bruising outside, so it’s critical to get checked after a serious crash — especially if you have:

  • Abdominal pain

  • Shortness of breath

  • Dizziness or fainting

  • A feeling of pressure in your chest or stomach

2.5 Torn Ligaments and Tendons (Joint Injuries)

Car accidents often injure major joints:

  • Knee – ACL, MCL, meniscus tears

  • Shoulder – rotator cuff or labrum tears

  • Hip – labral tears

  • Ankle and wrist – severe sprains or ligament damage

You might need surgery if:

  • Your knee buckles or gives out

  • Your shoulder feels unstable or won’t move fully

  • The joint locks or catches

  • Pain doesn’t improve with therapy or time

These joint injuries can make it hard to:

  • Walk or run

  • Lift anything heavy

  • Reach, bend, or twist

  • Do your job

All of this needs to be clearly documented in your medical records and included in your claim.

3. Signs You Might Need Surgery After Your Missouri Car Accident

Only a doctor can decide for sure, but here are warning signs you should take very seriously:

  • A bone looks crooked, twisted, or out of place

  • You cannot stand, walk, or put weight on your leg

  • You cannot move your arm or shoulder without sharp pain

  • Numbness, tingling, or weakness in hands, arms, feet, or legs

  • Loss of bladder or bowel control

  • Strong headache that doesn’t get better

  • Confusion, memory problems, or trouble speaking

  • Chest pain, shortness of breath, or heavy pressure

  • Deep stomach pain or swelling

  • A joint that feels loose, gives out, or locks

If you have any of these symptoms:

  1. Go to the ER or urgent care right away.

  2. Tell them everything that hurts — don’t downplay it.

  3. Follow up with specialists they recommend.

Then, when your immediate medical issues are under control, call Sansone & Lauber to protect your legal rights.

4. How Doctors Decide Whether You Need Surgery

Insurance companies often act like you chose surgery just to get more money. That’s wrong. Surgery is almost never a casual decision.

Here’s how it usually works:

  1. Emergency care at the hospital

    • Doctors check for broken bones, bleeding, and life-threatening injuries.

    • They may order X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs.

  2. Follow-up with a specialist

    • You may see an orthopedic surgeon, neurosurgeon, or another specialist.

    • They will review imaging and examine you.

  3. Try conservative treatment first (when safe)

    • Rest, physical therapy, medication, injections, braces, or chiropractic care.

    • If these don’t work, or the injury is too serious, surgery is next.

  4. Risk vs. benefit

    • Doctors weigh:

      • Your age and health

      • The severity of your injury

      • Whether surgery will improve your function and quality of life

      • The risks of the procedure

  5. Your decision

    • The doctor explains your options.

    • You choose whether to go forward after learning the risks and benefits.

This is a medical decision. An adjuster’s opinion about whether your surgery was “necessary” is not medical science — it’s a cost-saving tactic.

5. How Surgery Affects the Value of Your Missouri Car Accident Claim

If you need surgery after a car accident, your case is usually worth more than a typical soft-tissue injury claim — because your damages are greater.

Here’s how surgery can impact your claim:

5.1 Medical Bills

Surgery generates large bills, such as:

  • Hospital charges

  • Surgeon’s fee

  • Anesthesia

  • Imaging and lab work

  • Post-op care

  • Physical therapy

  • Medication

  • Future follow-up or revision surgery

Your lawyer must fight for past and future medical costs — not just what you already owe today.

5.2 Lost Wages and Future Earning Capacity

Many people who have surgery:

  • Miss weeks or months of work

  • Have to switch to lighter duty or a different job

  • Can no longer work the same hours or earn the same income

We work to prove:

  • What you already lost

  • What you are likely to lose in the future

  • How your injury and surgery change your career path

5.3 Pain and Suffering

Needing surgery is strong proof that:

  • Your injuries were serious

  • Your pain was real and intense

  • Your life was disrupted

Pain and suffering includes:

  • Physical pain

  • Emotional distress

  • Fear and anxiety about surgery and recovery

  • Loss of hobbies and activities you used to enjoy

  • Damage to your relationships and family life

5.4 Future Care and Limitations

After surgery, you may still face:

  • Ongoing pain

  • Stiffness or limited motion

  • Need for future procedures

  • Need for assistive devices (cane, brace, etc.)

  • Difficulty doing certain jobs or activities

A strong Missouri car accident lawyer will:

  • Work with your doctors

  • Get medical opinions about your future needs

  • Make sure the insurance company pays for the long-term impact, not just the emergency.

6. Common Insurance Company Tricks in Surgery Cases

When an insurance company sees the word “surgery” in your records, they know your case could be expensive. So they try to limit their payout.

Here are common tactics:

Trick #1: “You Didn’t See a Doctor Right Away”

They argue:

“If you were really hurt, you would have gone to the doctor that day.”

Reality: Many people think they’re “fine” or “just sore” after a crash, then pain gets worse days later. That does not mean the injury wasn’t from the crash.

We explain this with medical evidence so they can’t use this against you.

Trick #2: “Your Surgery Wasn’t Necessary”

They may hire their own doctor to say:

“This surgery wasn’t needed.”

We respond with:

  • Opinions from your treating surgeons

  • Possibly a second opinion from another specialist

  • Medical records showing your pain, failed conservative treatment, and imaging results

Trick #3: “You Had a Pre-Existing Condition”

If you had any prior back, neck, or joint issues, they’ll say:

“You were already hurt before this crash.”

Missouri law allows you to recover when a crash aggravates a pre-existing condition. We work to show:

  • How you felt and functioned before the accident

  • How the crash made things much worse

  • How your surgery is tied to the collision

Trick #4: “We’ll Pay Your Bills Right Now — Just Sign This”

They might offer quick money to cover some bills if you sign a release of all claims.

Once you sign, your case is over.

If your doctor later says you need more surgery, or complications pop up, you get nothing more — even if the costs skyrocket.

Do not sign any release or big paperwork from the insurance company before talking to Sansone & Lauber.

7. What To Do Right Now If You Think You Might Need Surgery

If you were in a car accident anywhere in Missouri — St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia, or any other city or town in Missouri — and you think surgery might be in your future, here’s what to do:

Step 1: Get Medical Care

  • Go to the ER or urgent care if you haven’t already.

  • Tell the doctor about all pain, stiffness, dizziness, or strange symptoms.

  • Ask if you need imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI) or a specialist.

Step 2: Follow Instructions

  • Take medication as prescribed.

  • Go to all follow-up appointments.

  • Attend physical therapy.

  • Don’t go back to heavy work or sports until cleared.

Skipping appointments or ignoring instructions gives the insurance company an excuse to blame you for your ongoing problems.

Step 3: Document Your Life

  • Keep a simple journal:

    • Rate your pain each day

    • Note what you couldn’t do (work, chores, hobbies, family time)

  • Save all bills and receipts.

  • Take photos of bruises, stitches, casts, braces, walkers, and scars.

Step 4: Limit Talk with the Insurance Company

  • Don’t give a recorded statement.

  • Don’t guess about your injuries or surgery.

  • Don’t accept any offer or sign any release.

You can simply say:

“I’m getting a lawyer. Please contact my attorney at Sansone & Lauber.”

Step 5: Call Sansone & Lauber

Talk to a Missouri car accident lawyer who understands serious injuries and surgery cases. We can:

  • Review your medical situation

  • Explain how surgery impacts your claim

  • Deal directly with the insurance company

  • Protect your right to full compensation

☎️ Call Sansone & Lauber at 314-863-0500 for a free consultation.
You pay no attorney’s fee unless we win money for you.

8. Can You Get Money for Future Surgeries You Haven’t Had Yet?

Yes — if your doctors believe you will probably need more surgery in the future, that can be part of your claim.

Examples:

  • Hardware removal after a fracture heals

  • Future knee or hip replacement after joint damage

  • Additional spine surgery if the first one fails or nearby levels wear out

  • Cosmetic or reconstructive surgery for scars

We work with your doctors to:

  • Get written opinions about future care

  • Estimate costs

  • Show how future surgery will affect your work and daily life

The insurance company will not bring this up for you. We will.

9. Missouri Law and Surgery After a Car Accident

Here are a few Missouri-specific points to know:

  • Missouri is a fault state. The at-fault driver (and their insurer) can be held responsible for your injuries.

  • Missouri uses comparative fault, which means your compensation can be reduced if they blame you for part of the crash. We work to push back against unfair blame.

  • Serious injury and surgery cases often involve higher insurance policy limits or multiple parties (for example, company vehicles, commercial policies, or multiple drivers).

Because surgery cases are high-value, we treat them like what they are: serious, complex claims that may require aggressive litigation if the insurance company refuses to pay fairly.

10. FAQs: Surgery After a Car Accident in Missouri

Do I automatically get a bigger settlement if I have surgery?

Not automatically — but surgery usually means:

  • Higher medical bills

  • More pain and suffering

  • Greater impact on work and daily life

All of this can increase the value of your case when properly documented and presented.

What if I’m afraid to have surgery?

That’s very common. You should discuss your fears with your doctor. We can help you understand the legal and financial side, but the medical decision is between you and your surgeon.

The insurance adjuster says I don’t need surgery. What should I do?

Adjusters are not doctors. Their job is to save their company money. Listen to your doctor, not the person who works for the insurance company.

I already had surgery before I called a lawyer. Is it too late?

No. Call us immediately. We can still:

  • Gather your medical records and surgical reports

  • Document your pain, recovery, and limitations

  • Handle the insurance company for you

  • Work to recover the full value of your surgical case

How long do I have to file a Missouri car accident claim?

Missouri’s statute of limitations usually gives you several years, but you should not wait. Evidence can disappear, witnesses can move, and delays give the insurance company more power. The sooner we’re involved, the better we can protect you.

11. When To Call a Missouri Car Accident Lawyer About Surgery

You should contact Sansone & Lauber right away if:

  • A doctor has recommended surgery after your Missouri car accident

  • You’re in therapy or injections and the next step might be surgery

  • You’re getting mixed messages about whether surgery is needed

  • The insurance company is pushing you to settle while your medical treatment is still ongoing

  • You already had surgery and the adjuster is lowballing you

We help car accident victims across Missouri — including St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson County, Franklin County, and throughout the state — who are facing hard recoveries and hard choices after serious injuries.

Call Sansone & Lauber Right Now For Immediate HelpWill You Need Surgery After Your Car Accident In Missouri

Most people hurt in a Missouri car accident do not need surgery, but some do — and if you’re one of them, your health, your future, and your case are too important to leave in the hands of an insurance company.

Get the medical care you need.
Get the legal protection you deserve.

📞 Call Sansone & Lauber today at 314-863-0500 for a free consultation.

Let a Missouri car accident lawyer who understands surgery cases fight for the full compensation you need to move forward with your life.