Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries. These types of injuries are life-changing. The spinal cord is essential to our body’s functions, and if you are injured in a car accident, it will affect you physically, emotionally, and financially.
Therefore, when you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in an automobile accident, it is extremely important that they receive adequate compensation.
However, many things can be done to ensure that it does not affect your quality of life too much and prevent further damage.
Here are some of the essential things you should know about spinal cord injuries and how you can get compensated for a spinal cord injury from a car accident.
Categories of Paralysis to a Spinal Injury
Comparing the severity of spinal cord injuries from car accidents to other types of injuries could help to predict how long a person will be in a wheelchair or on crutches. This is important because it gives doctors information about how long it will take for the body to heal itself, which can provide them with an idea of how long their patient should expect to be in recovery.
The severity of a spinal cord injury depends on the location and type of damage done to the spinal cord by impact with another object or person. There are two categories of spinal cord injury severity- complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries.
Complete spinal cord injuries are the most severe and occur when the spine is wholly injured, hindering the brain’s ability to receive and send impulses beyond the injury point. This level of paralysis causes paralysis of all four limbs and the sacral region.
On the other hand, incomplete paralysis results from damage or compression inflicted upon the spinal cord, reducing the brain’s ability to receive and send signals beyond the point of injury. An incomplete spinal cord injury can compromise motor and sensory functions. This results in loss of movement and sensation in one arm and both legs.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Below are some of the most severe spinal cord injuries requiring immediate medical attention.
Herniated Discs
Herniated discs are a type of spinal cord injury that occurs when the disc between two vertebrae in the spine becomes compressed, causing it to bulge outward. These injuries are usually caused by an impact on the head or neck.
Herniated discs can cause nerve signals to be interrupted, which can cause weakness in one or more limbs, numbness, pain, tingling below the level of injury, and even paralysis. The severity of these symptoms depends on where the disc is located along the spine and how bad it has become.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a type of spinal cord injury that can occur when there is compression of the nerves in the spinal cord. The most common symptom of this condition is pain, which can also cause numbness and tingling in the hands or feet.
If you have spinal stenosis, you may also be at risk for other types of damage to your nerves. This includes damage to the sacral nerve roots and peripheral nerve roots as they exit the spinal column.
If these nerves are damaged, they will no longer carry signals from your brain to other parts of your body. This can lead to various symptoms, including muscle weakness and paralysis.
Spinal Fractures
A spinal fracture occurs when there is a break or cracks in the bones at the base of your spine. Spinal fractures differ from other types of spinal cord injuries because they can cause damage to the brain stem and upper cervical spine (the neck).
Some symptoms include numbness or tingling in your fingers or toes, headaches, dizziness, balance problems, or difficulty walking upstairs. There are other minor types of spinal injuries, such as whiplash and spondylolisthesis.
Critical Signs and Symptoms of a Spinal Injury
While most people know that you need to report an accident to your insurance provider as soon as possible, many do not realize that if you have a spinal injury from a car accident, it’s best to wait to submit a report until at least 24-48 hours after the incident has taken place. This is because initial treatment may take longer than first anticipated, which sometimes means several weeks off work.
While most people who suffer from spinal injuries survive, there are some critical signs and symptoms that you should be aware of.
One of the first things to look for is loss of bladder control. If this happens, it’s important that you seek medical attention immediately.
Some other possible signs and symptoms could indicate a severe injury, such as loss of bowel control, paralysis or weakness in the legs, arms, or lower body, severe pain in the buttocks or thighs, and severe pain in the back.
How Can an Accident Attorney Help You Get Compensated?
Regardless of what caused your spinal cord injury, however, you need to determine how much compensation you’re eligible for. If you have been injured in a car accident, you may have questions about how to proceed.
An experienced car accident attorney can help you understand your rights and options and help ensure that you receive proper compensation for your injuries.
An accident attorney may be able to help you get compensation for medical expenses such as hospital bills and rehabilitation costs incurred while recovering from your injury. In addition, they may be able to recover lost wages due to time off from work due to pain or other disabilities related to their injury.
Contact a South Carolina Car Accident Attorney Today!
If you or a loved one has sustained a spinal cord injury from a car accident, don’t hesitate to contact Elrod Pope Law Firm for professional assistance. The team at Elrod Pope can help guide you through the process of filing a claim for spinal cord injury compensation.
Our attorneys have gained experience representing clients with spinal cord injuries and are dedicated to ensuring they get the fair compensation they deserve. They understand that a spinal cord injury is an extremely serious situation, and they will fight for each client’s best interests in a way that speaks directly to their needs. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with our team.
Spinal Cord Injury FAQs
How do you know if you’re eligible for compensation?
Your accident lawyer will gather evidence to prove the negligence of the party that caused you a spine injury.
How much money can I be paid for a spinal cord injury?
There is no amount of money guaranteed for a spine injury. The amount of money you can receive is based on specific factors of your case.
