A serious spinal and back injury from a car accident can result in long-lasting pain, severely limited mobility, and the development of other symptoms and conditions that can rob you of your quality of life. Join us as we examine these injuries more closely.
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
Damage to the nerves at the end of the spinal canal or to the spinal cord itself is diagnosed as a spinal cord injury. However, injury to your spinal cord can also occur over time and not produce symptoms for months or years.
Are Spinal Cord Injuries Common in Car Accidents?
Yes; there are kinetic forces and high speeds at work in most collisions. However, the spine can sustain trauma without violent force. Examples include your head position at the time of the accident, a person’s weight, and the presence of pre-existing spinal conditions at the time of a crash.
Spinal Cord Injuries That Typically Occur in Car Crashes
Three main types of injury can occur as the result of a car accident.
- Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when the neck rapidly snaps back and forth. Whiplash affects neck tissues, and this type of back injury from car accidents requires treatment as soon as possible following a car accident because serious symptoms can develop.
- Herniated Discs are a very common injury in car accidents because they are the spine’s shock absorbers. This particular injury occurs when a disc’s soft material at the center leaks through the harder material of its exterior and puts pressure on the nerves and their roots.
- Fractured Vertebrae can easily occur in a car accident. This type of injury may happen at one point on the spine or at multiple locations, and it can range from mild to severe. Because these fractures can occur in several ways, many other serious conditions can develop.
Spinal Cord Injury Symptoms
Spinal cord injury symptoms can appear at any time following an accident. Common injuries include:
- Inability to feel cold and heat
- Loss of sensation
- Breathing difficulties
- Spasms and other exaggerated reflexes
- Intense stinging or pain in the back or spine
In addition to the above, there are also a range of spine and back injury symptoms after a car accident that indicate emergency care is needed:
- Impaired breathing
- Impaired ability to walk or remain balanced
- Paralysis, weakness, or problems with coordination
- Extreme back, head, or neck pressure
- Extreme back pain
Did You Sustain Spinal Injury in an Accident?
The cost to treat and manage a spinal cord injury over your lifetime can add up to millions of dollars. If you’ve sustained injury to your spinal cord because of another careless driver, your best chance at getting a back injury from car accident settlement is with an experienced Texas car accident lawyer.
With a combined 100 years of trial experience in car accident cases, Schecter, Shaffer & Harris have recovered millions in damages for spinal injury victims. Get in touch with us now to claim your free consultation.
