Car Accidents and Spinal Cord Injuries

Many car accident injuries involve damage that may take time to assess. As the shock of the initial crash wears off, you may notice pain, stiffness, and numbness. If you suffer damage to your spinal cord, it can cause severe and permanent injury. Get medical attention as soon as possible after a motor vehicle accident to improve your chances of treatment and recovery.

If someone else caused your auto accident injuries, you can file a personal injury lawsuit for damages. Personal injury laws vary by state. Talk to a local car accident attorney for legal advice about your case.

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

The spinal cord is a pathway of nervous tissue extending from the brain stem to the lower spinal column. It is part of the central nervous system and allows people to move, feel, communicate, and experience pain.

The spinal cord is protected by layers of tissue and the spinal column’s bones. However, the spinal cord is very sensitive to damage in a traumatic accident. This includes back injuries, neck injuries, and spinal fractures.

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are often categorized based on where they fall along the vertebrae. The sections of the vertebrae are classified as:

• Cervical spine
• Thoracic spine
• Lumbar spine
• Sacrum
• Coccyx

Damage to the spinal cord can affect the areas of the body where it attaches to nerves. Severe damage to the lower spinal cord can cause paraplegia or paralysis of the lower body. Damage higher on the spinal cord can cause quadriplegia (tetraplegia), which is paralysis of the body from the neck down to the rest of the body.

What Are Common Causes of Spinal Injury in Car Accidents?

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), automobile crashes are the most common cause of SCIs. Any vehicle crash can cause spinal injury for accident victims. Even low speed rear-end accidents can cause whiplash injuries that damage the upper back and neck. Other types of vehicle collisions that can cause this type of injury include:

• Rollover accidents
• Head-on collisions
• Multi-vehicle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Accidents when not wearing a seatbelt

What Are the Signs of a Possible Spinal Cord Injury?

Signs and symptoms of a possible spinal cord injury can be immediate or take time to develop. Possible indications of a spinal injury may include:

• Numbness in the extremities
• Weakness
• Lower back pain
• Neck pain
• Loss of bowel control
• Loss of bladder control
• Muscle spasms
• Sexual dysfunction
• Breathing difficulty
• Paralysis

If you have been injured in a car accident, you should seek medical care. You may not notice pain or symptoms until hours or days later. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve your chances of recovery.

What Are Treatment Options for a Spinal Cord Injury?

There are several treatment options for car accident injuries, depending on the severity and type of injury. Severe spinal cord injuries may have limited treatment options. Talk to your healthcare provider about spine injury treatment and recovery options, including:

• Surgery,
• Pain medication
• Relieving pressure on the spinal cord
• Immobilization
• Physical therapy
• Use of assistive devices
• Occupational therapy

Who Is Liable for Spinal Cord Damage After a Car Accident?

For most car accident claims, the person who negligently caused the accident is responsible for damages. Negligence involves failure to drive with reasonable care. You can prove negligence in a car accident by showing that the other driver failed to follow traffic laws and caused the accident.

For example, if another driver speeds and runs a stop sign, crashing into another vehicle, that driver may be liable for damages.

If the accident was caused by a defective vehicle, the car manufacturer is usually responsible. Manufacturers are liable for injuries caused by defective products, including defective tires and breaks. You can file a product liability claim against the manufacturer, seller, or distributor for injuries caused by defective car parts.

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help?

A spinal cord injury can cause permanent injury. This can leave the accident victim paralyzed and unable to return to work. Spinal cord injuries can require lifelong medical care and treatment. A personal injury lawsuit allows the accident victim to get money for their losses. Damages in a car accident case can include medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

A car accident lawyer can review your case and explain your legal options. Your attorney can negotiate a settlement to pay for your damages. An attorney can also file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver. Contact a car accident lawyer to find out about your legal rights after a spinal cord injury accident.