You’ve been injured in a car accident, and now your neck and back hurt. You’ve heard about life-altering spine injuries, and you wonder if your spine has been compromised. Here’s what to know about spinal injuries in the wake of a car accident and what to do if you think you have one.
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What is a Spinal Injury?
The spinal cord, along with the brain, makes up your body’s central nervous system. It is a long column consisting of tissues, nerves, and cells. It runs from the brain to the base of your back.
You can think of the spinal cord as a delivery service that carries messages from the brain to the rest of the body to activate movement, reflexes, and senses. It can activate your leg muscles when you want to stand up or cause your hand to feel the burn from a hot stove.
The spinal cord is protected by a column of small bones stacked on top of each other called vertebrae. Between the vertebrae are cushiony disks that absorb shock and help protect your vertebral and spinal columns.
The spinal column and vertebral column together are often referred to as the spine. Because they perform such an integral function and because there are so many different parts, spinal injuries can be very complex and have serious repercussions. These may include (but are not limited to) paralysis, chronic pain, difficulty breathing, involuntary muscle movements or spasms, loss of sexual function, and incontinence.
How Common Are Spinal Cord Injuries After Car Accidents?
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, nearly 40% of spinal cord injuries come from motor vehicle accidents. Falls, violence (such as fights or abuse), and athletic injuries are the next most common causes.
How Serious Are Spinal Cord Injuries?
Spinal cord injuries can have a whole range of symptoms, ranging from temporary weakness or discomfort to permanent paralysis. The severity depends on a couple of factors:
1. Was the Spinal Cord Injury Complete or Incomplete?
With an incomplete spinal cord injury, the spinal cord is partially but not completely severed or compressed. An incomplete injury can cause a person to lose feeling and function below the injury point. Depending on the degree of the injury and where it occurs, it can be very mild or severe. A person with an incomplete injury may still be able to regain function and feeling.
On the other hand, a complete spinal cord injury refers to the cord being completely severed or compressed. The result is permanent damage and no nerve communication below the point of injury.
2. What Was the Location of the Spinal Cord Injury?
The location of the spinal cord damage can determine the severity of the injury. In general, injuries that occur higher on the spine are worse than those that occur on the lower parts of the spine.
The injury location is defined in terms of the closest vertebra. Vertebrae are assigned a letter and a number (like C4 or L5). The letter corresponds to a category defined by the location of the injury. Here’s a closer look at those four categories, which move from the top of the spine to the bottom.
C for Cervical
These top seven vertebrae (C1 through C7) are at the top of the spine. An injury in the cervical spinal cord can keep you from moving or feeling sensations from the neck down (a condition known as quadriplegia).
T for Thoracic
Moving down the spine, the next 12 vertebrae (T1 through T12) protect the upper to mid-section of the spinal cord. Thoracic spinal cord damages usually affect the chest, mid-back, and stomach muscles. A thoracic spine injury can result in paraplegia (paralysis in the legs).
L for Lumbar
The bottom of the spinal cord is protected by the lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5). When lumbar nerves in the spinal cord are damaged, it could affect the hips and legs and the ability to walk. Lumbar injuries can also threaten bowel and bladder control.
S for Sacral
The lowest vertebrae (S1 to S5) protect the sacrum. Although the spinal cord does not extend into the sacrum, injuries here can behave like spinal cord injuries. They may result in loss of function in the legs and hips (though usually not enough to keep you from walking) and a loss of control in the bowel and bladder.
The spinal cord can be directly damaged, or other back injuries can affect it. For example, the impact of a car accident can cause the disks between the vertebrae to bulge or slip, putting pressure on the spinal cord. Or the sudden jolt or pressure from a car accident could fracture one of the vertebrae, causing it to cut into the spinal cord.
Do I Have a Spinal Cord Injury?
If you sustained a spine injury in a car wreck, symptoms may include (but are not limited to):
- Pain in the head, neck, or back
- Weakness in any part of the body
- Lack of balance or muscle control (including trouble walking)
- Numbness or tingling in the extremities (hands, fingers, feet, toes)
- Loss of control in the bladder or bowels
- Difficulty breathing
The symptoms of a spine injury may be immediately apparent, or they can develop gradually; it’s possible to be able to move right after an accident only to have paralysis set in later.
It’s important to seek immediate medical help after an accident, even if your symptoms seem mild. If you act quickly, a doctor may be able to detect developing health problems and stop them from getting worse.
What Should I Do if I Suspect I Have a Spinal Cord Injury?
The most important thing to do after an accident is stay still and get immediate medical attention. No one should move you, as movement could worsen your injuries. Rather, they should stabilize your head, back, and neck until qualified help arrives.
Can I Sue for My Spine Injuries?
Spinal injuries can wreak havoc on your life—physically, emotionally, and financially. They can change your ability to care for yourself and work. They can change your relationships with the people around you.
If the car accident that triggered your spine injuries was a result of someone else’s negligence, contact a car accident attorney immediately. They can make sure you get the full compensation you are entitled to under the law. This sum may include medical care, ongoing therapies, adaptive equipment and home adaptations (if necessary), lost wages, rehabilitative care, child care costs (for parents who can no longer provide the same level of care due to injuries), and pain and suffering.
An attorney can:
- Help you secure the best medical care for your injuries
- Interface with the other party’s insurance so they don’t try to intimidate you or trick you into saying something that could hurt your case
- Help you determine the ongoing costs of your injuries (so you don’t settle for an amount that won’t cover your long-term care needs)
- Gather the most compelling evidence and eyewitnesses to build a rock-solid legal case
- Bring in top medical experts to testify on your behalf
- Ensure that you meet all deadlines for filing your claim
- Escalate your case to a trial if the other party’s settlement offers are not adequate
Many inspiring individuals have found a renewed quality of life, even after devastating spinal injuries. The important thing is to get top-quality medical care as well as the emotional and financial support you need.
Our Las Vegas car accident injury attorneys can shoulder the legal stress of dealing with the negligent party and their insurance company. They can fight for your rights and make sure you get the financial resources you are entitled to. This will allow you to focus on recovering and thriving.