Spinal Cord Injuries From Car Accidents

Spinal cord injuries from car accidents are extremely delicate and must be addressed as soon as they occur. These injuries affect the tissue and nerves within the spine, subsequently limiting the ability to send and receive messages to and from the brain.

Due to the severity of spinal cord injuries, seeking a settlement for any back injuries sustained from a car accident is necessary. Proper compensation can help you access appropriate treatment and help you recover some of the finances the accident might have cost you.

A Greenville car accident lawyer can help you receive compensation for your spinal injuries. Contact a local lawyer at Upstate Personal Injury Lawyers, LLC for a case evaluation.

What is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury affects the cells, nerves, and tissue found in the spinal column.

Together with the brain, the spinal cord makes up the central nervous system. This system is responsible for relaying messages to and from different parts of the body. When one gets a spinal cord injury, it could be a direct result of a car accident or damage to the vertebrae.

The following are some non-severe symptoms of a spinal cord injury:

• Numbness in the hands and feet.
• Pain on the back, neck, or head.
• The inability to walk as normal.
• Breathing problems.

Spinal cord injuries can also cause severe symptoms, such as:

• Loss of movement.
• The lack of sexual function.
• Paralysis.
• The inability to move some parts of the body.
• Loss of bowel control.
• Loss of bladder control.

It is important to note that any changes in body function or pain in the body should be addressed as soon as you get involved in a car accident. However, the severe symptoms mentioned above require immediate attention before they become permanent, making it important to contact a Greenville car accident attorney as soon as possible.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

The following are the main types of spinal cord injuries:

Herniated discs

This injury typically occurs when the discs separating the spinal vertebrae become affected by impact following a car accident. Herniated discs are common in the lower back area and can cause severe pain, limb weakness, or numbness.

However, it is important to note that you can encounter no symptoms, making it important to seek urgent medical attention after an accident.

Stenosis

Stenosis is the ‘narrowing’ of the muscles or nerves within the spinal cord. This condition also mostly affects the lower back and can cause numbness, neck pain, bowel and bladder movement problems, or body imbalance.

Fractures

Spinal fractures, also called vertebrae fractures, occur when one or more bones in your spinal cord break. The severity of the condition and the number of broken bones influence the severity of symptoms and the pain levels that victims encounter.

Vertebrae fractures are extremely serious and require urgent medical attention.

The Categories of Paralysis Following a Spinal Injury From a Car Accident

Paralysis can occur as a direct consequence of a spinal cord injury. When one has paralysis, it means that nerve activity has been disrupted at some part of the body. For example, a spinal injury in the lower part of the body can affect your ability to move.

In addition, paralysis can be permanent or temporary, depending on the impact on the nerves. This makes it important for car accident victims to seek compensation for their injuries by working with a Greenville car accident attorney.

When paralysis occurs to you or a loved one, the following might have occurred:

• An injury to the brain might prevent sending messages/signals to other parts of the body.
• A spinal cord injury might prevent signal reception by the brain.
• A spinal cord injury might prevent the brain from responding to specific stimuli, although some other bodily functions, like the sense of touch, might be present.

In the following sections, we take a look at the different categories of paralysis.

Monoplegia

Monoplegia occurs on one body part and is commonly referred to as paralysis in one limb. Car accident victims with monoplegia can move other parts of the body apart from the affected limb.

Most of the time, you can treat monoplegia through physical therapy, as it is often a temporary condition caused by brain injuries.

Hemiplegia

Hemiplegia is the second category and typically occurs on one side of the body. When this condition occurs, the victims encounter sensations that resemble pins and needles in the affected areas. Over time, they begin experiencing muscle weakness, after which full paralysis sets in.

The extent of hemiplegia varies from one person to another. Possible remedies are physical and occupational therapy.

Paraplegia

Paraplegia is a paralysis that affects the waist area and the body parts below the waist. Paraplegia victims will typically experience paralysis in their hips and legs, which can limit important bodily functions like movement, sexual activity, and excretion.

However, the degree of paraplegia is different for everyone affected.

Quadriplegia

Quadriplegia occurs below the neck, affecting the arms, the legs, and the torso. Physical therapy and exercise are important treatment methods, although severity and occurrence vary from person to person.

How To Seek Compensation for Your Car Accident Spinal Cord Injury

It is possible to seek compensation for a spinal cord injury if evidence of negligent behavior from another party is found. This becomes especially important if you have suffered severe paralysis or vertebrae fractures. You can receive compensation for further treatment, time off work, or the purchase of medical equipment.

How a Greenville Car Accident Attorney Can Help

Due to the importance of seeking medical and financial help after a car accident spinal cord injury, it is important that you work with a car accident attorney to increase your chances of receiving compensation.

An experienced attorney is best placed to offer you legal advice and assist you throughout your quest for a spinal cord injury settlement.

At Upstate Personal Injury Lawyers, LLC, we have a team of experienced advisors who can help you with your spinal cord injury case. Contact us online today for a free case evaluation.

Spinal Cord Injury FAQs