Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) are one of the main causes of spinal cord injuries. Any sudden blow to your spinal column or surrounding area can change your life. In some situations, these injuries can be fatal.
If you experience an injury to your spinal cord area, the damage could extend to the discs, vertebrae, and ligaments. These parts of the spine may break or even bleed due to the impact they experience.
Your spinal column is where essential nerve pathways are located. These nerves are responsible for facilitating communication from the brain to the rest of the body. Depending on what part is injured and how severe the injury is, any trauma to the spinal cord can result in many different symptoms.
If you are involved in a car accident caused by a negligent party, you can recover compensation for your injuries and losses. Our car accident lawyers at The Burkett Law Firm can help you file a claim and recover the compensation you are entitled to.
Here, you can learn more about the types of spinal cord injuries that may occur in a car accident and how they can impact your life.
Whiplash
Whiplash is an extremely common injury in car accidents. You can sustain a whiplash injury when your body is exposed to sudden acceleration or deceleration.
Some believe this injury is limited to the neck. However, the truth is it can occur in any part of the spine. If you experience these forces during a car accident, it can stretch the ligaments, tendons, and muscles in the neck and spine. The result of this is chronic pain and limited mobility.
Ruptured and Herniated Discs
Your spine is made of vertebrae. These are the external casings that work to protect your spinal column. In between your vertebrae are the jelly-like discs that prevent the vertebrae from rubbing against each other.
When you are involved in a car accident, it may cause the discs to rupture, tear, or shift. If this occurs, you may sustain herniated or ruptured discs. Symptoms of these injuries include radiating pain through the body and numbness.
Spondylolisthesis and Spinal Fractures
If a car accident occurs, the body may be jerked quickly in one direction and then back in the other. This puts a lot of pressure on the spine and may result in a compression fracture. This fracture can occur anywhere in your spinal column.
When this happens, you may experience spondylolisthesis. This is a condition where the fractured vertebrae move or put pressure on the spinal column. Some of the symptoms associated with spondylolisthesis include numbness and pain in different parts of the body and issues related to bladder control.
Injuries to the Spinal Cord
It is estimated that around 18,000 people experience some type of spinal cord injury annually in the United States. Motor vehicle accidents cause the majority of these injuries.
If you experience an injury to the spinal cord, it can be devastating. One reason is that it is virtually impossible to repair the spine.
Situations like this often result in short- and long-term disabilities. Many accident victims also become paralyzed.
Injuries to the Facet Joints
There are all types of joints in your body. This includes facet joints.
A facet joint is located in your spine. These joints serve as a hinge between each of your vertebrae. Unfortunately, they can also be damaged during a car accident.
Spinal Stenosis
Cases of spinal stenosis are not caused by a car accident. However, the accident may result in asymptomatic spinal stenosis cases showing symptoms. Sometimes accidents can cause pain, numbness, and other complications in a spine that has already begun to deteriorate.
Contact Our Attorneys for Help if You Are Injured in a Car Accident
Being involved in an accident can be a scary and overwhelming situation. If this happens to you, you have rights.
We recommend calling our office at The Burkett Law Firm for assistance. We will review the facts of your case and help you file a claim for compensation. Our goal is to ensure you receive the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to based on your current injuries and how they may impact your life in the future.
Our legal team fully understands how a spinal cord injury can change your life. We are here to help during this challenging time. However, you need to call our office to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation immediately. This is the first step in securing the full amount of compensation you deserve.
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