If you’ve sustained injuries to your spine after a car accident, you may have to make serious changes to your life. This can include changing jobs, making modifications to your home, and more. Further, most individuals with spinal injuries suffer a serious reduction in their quality of life. They can no longer enjoy the activities they once enjoyed. They may not be able to get around anymore. They can no longer be intimate with their spouses. The car accident spine injury attorneys at Brylak Law understand that someone else’s negligence has forced major changes to your life and financial situation. We will fight tenaciously to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
The vast majority of spinal cord injuries are caused by car accidents. These injuries can range from uncomfortable to catastrophic. When the spinal cord is involved, the risk of paralysis is high. Even in cases where a patient’s prognosis is quite good, complications can arise causing a lack of maneuverability. The most common types of spinal cord injuries resulting from a car accident include
- Fractured vertebrae – Your spine is composed of 33 bones that protect the spinal cord from serious injury. The spinal cord relays information from your brain to the rest of your body, so spinal cord damage often results in paralysis. A fractured vertebra may not result in paralysis, but it can put pressure on the nerves, cause disc herniation, and otherwise result in serious pain.
- Herniated or ruptured discs – Discs separate each of your vertebra from one another. They have a soft filling that cushions one vertebra from the next and prevents the bones from scraping against one another. When a disc ruptures, the liquid within the disc oozes out. This is quite painful and often the result of a severe rear-end collision.
- Bulging discs – This type of injury is frequently caused by whiplash, which is when your head snaps back and then forward after a collision. Bulging discs must be maneuvered back into place to prevent them from becoming herniated. Disc injuries can result in pinched nerves which will affect your range of motion and can be quite painful.
- Paralysis – In cases where the spinal cord is irreparably damaged, the injured party may have to live without the use of their legs (paraplegia) or their arms and their legs (quadriplegia). This is considered a catastrophic, life-altering injury and is among the worst diagnoses that a car accident victim can get.
- Spinal stenosis – Typically thought of as a genetic condition, spinal stenosis can occur as a result of severe trauma. The vertebral canals begin to close putting pressure on your spinal column. Spinal stenosis is not curable. Therapies involve managing the pain.
- Spondylolisthesis – Typically a natural byproduct of aging, spondylolisthesis can be hastened by
Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury
Any of the following symptoms may be an indication that you have a spinal cord injury:
- Loss of range of motion
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of sensation
- Trouble breathing
- Sexual dysfunction
- Trouble sleeping
- Stinging pain or numbness
- Digestive problems
Talk to an Experienced Car Accident Spine Injury Attorney
Brylak Law understands the fear and uncertainty surrounding spinal cord injuries. It’s particularly emotionally difficult when you know you did nothing to cause the injuries yourself. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, allow our seasoned attorneys to handle your claim. We will collect your medical records, tally your damages, and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. Call today for a free consultation.
