An auto accident can be a traumatic experience. In case of life-threatening injuries, it could take years to rebuild your life. One such injury is damage to the spinal cord.
It is one of the most important parts of your body because it is a means of communication between your brain and your body. Any damage to your spinal cord, your brain will stop giving instructions, resulting in complete body inactivity. So, you can very well imagine that if your spinal cord gets injured in an auto accident, there can be irreversible damage to the entire body, making one immobile for life.
To deal with such a grave injury during an accident, be it to you or any of your near ones, you need support, especially in terms of finance. Accident compensation related to a personal injury you have suffered can provide a huge relief. At the same time, to be able to avail it, you need to be knowledgeable about how injuries can be caused to the spinal cord and what you need to do in such a case.
What does injury to spinal cord entail?
As per the CDC or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 46% cases of spinal cord injuries are caused due to vehicular accidents in the US. Due to the impact of the accident, the spine can get fractured, dislodged, or even crushed.
Any harmful effect on even a single vertebra can cause harm to the working of the spinal cord. Any type of injury to the lower back, chest, or mid back means the spinal cord is hurt.
A vehicle accident can cause rollover of the vehicle which puts immense pressure on the spine causing grave injuries. Seatbelt failure, seat back collapse, roof collapse, etc., also lead to spine damage during a car accident.
Effects of spine damage
Since the spinal cord is the focal point of your body, any damage to it can lead to loss of partial or complete motor function. This also means the body can get paralyzed when the spine is injured. There can be either complete or incomplete injury to the body depending on how much damage has occurred to the spine.
Complete injury to the spine can lead to complete loss of body movement. In case of incomplete injury, the person may have some mobility.
Thus, spine injuries during accidents can mean that you or your loved one loses the ability to lead an independent life. When such a dreadful injury happens due to the negligence of some other person, you should seek compensation so that you can get the help you deserve to move on with your life.
What should you do in case of spine injuries from vehicle accidents?
If you get injured in an auto or bike accident and you are alone and are unable to move, then it may mean your spine has been injured. Do not put additional stress on your back and stay still.
If someone comes along to help you, then do not allow them to move you. Request them to call for an ambulance as trained medical professionals will know how to move you without further injuring the back.
Also, request those around to take pictures because they can serve as a proof when you seek a claim for spine injury.
Similarly, if you happen to rush to help someone involved in a car or bike accident, it is better to call for medical help than trying to move the victim.
If it is you or a friend who has been in the accident, then the next step is to contact your insurance company to inform them of the incident. You should also contact a personal injury lawyer immediately.
The treatment and rehabilitation required to treat spinal cord injury can be expensive as medicines as well as in-house care will be required for the rest of your life. When you file a personal injury claim for spine injuries, you will be eligible for a compensation that will take into account all the medical expenses you have incurred as well as the future medical bills. Having an attorney experienced in settlements related to spine injuries will help you make your case stronger and guarantee you the rightful compensation you are entitled to.
The Law Offices of Craig A. Altman can help you if you are involved in a car accident that causes a spinal cord injury. Contact us today at 215-569-4488 to learn more about how we can help you.
This article first appeared on my blog.
