Are Spinal Cord Injuries After a Car Crash Compensable?

Car Accidents , Catastrophic Injury , Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries are one of the most severe, catastrophic injuries one may endure after an auto accident. Statistics from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center estimate that auto accident crashes account for over 38 percent of all spinal cord injuries in the country each year. Spinal cord injury occurs when the forces involved in a car collision cause the spine to become compressed, partially torn, bruised or even severed. Spinal cord injury is particularly catastrophic as vital nerve sheaths are located in the space within the spine, making it more likely for someone to suffer things like paralysis, loss of bladder or bowel control, respiratory issues and permanent disability.

Almost 90 percent of all auto accidents involve a negligence aspect: that is to say, the actions or inaction of another individual caused the accident, and to this end, they must be held accountable by way of a civil lawsuit so that the victim is able to recover money damages to make them whole again. that said, spinal cord injury lawsuits are not as cut and dry as they may seem, and speaking with the insurance company or self-representation are two of the worst things you can do, as you may leave hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table, or have your case kicked out due to insufficient evidence or failing to meet a certain level of burden of proof, or a simple technicality that an attorney would have noticed and prevented.

To this end, legal representation should be your first priority, and we’re here to help with that.

Representation for Spine Trauma From a Car Crash

Are you looking for a best spinal cord injury attorney? The experienced auto accident spinal cord injury lawyers at McCready Law have for over the last three decades helped thousands of injured victims and survivors recover millions in compensation after getting injured by the negligent actions of other individuals. We pride ourselves in having national reach, we run a bilingual office (hablamos Espanol), and unlike most law firms, we are not afraid to litigate if we believe you have a strong case which can not only stand up to legal scrutiny, but we can get you a much larger settlement than engaging with the insurance company.

It is important to note that these cases are taken up on contingency fee basis, and what this simply means is that there are ZERO UPFRONT FEES should we decide to take on your case, and remains this way until we’ve recovered compensation on your behalf, after which we’ll levy our legal fees. Regardless of where you are in the country, we’d love to help you get the compensation you truly deserve so you can seek the specialized treatment you need for your spinal cord injury after an auto accident.

Please, give us a call NOW at 312-444-0214 to learn more about your legal options for justice and compensation – the call is 100% FREE!

What Exactly Causes Spinal Cord Injuries in Auto Accidents?

The causes of spinal cord injuries after an auto accident can be varied, and they can also lead to various forms and severity of injury.

  • That said, one of the most common causes is sudden deceleration, which is when a car comes to a stop due to a collision after traveling at moderate to high speeds. This causes the spine to hyperextend or hyperflex, culminating in dislocations, vertebral fractures as well as spinal cord trauma. The vast majority of spinal cord injuries can be attributable to sudden deceleration.
  • Direct impact is yet another common cause of spinal cord injury, and this is caused by one’s body colliding with hard surfaces inside the vehicle such as the steering wheel, back of the seat, dashboard or the side of the door. This leads to vertebral crushing and potential spinal cord trauma. Due to bones breaking after direct impact, it is not uncommon for these sharp bones to penetrate the spinal column, causing severe and immediate trauma.
  • Compression is yet another common cause of spinal cord injuries after an auto accident, and this occurs when downward forces are exerted upon the body due to a vehicle rollover or crush. In fact, it is estimated that a quarter of all spinal cord injuries are due to vehicle rollover, a phenomenon which involves considerable compression forces
  • Rotational forces also lead to spinal cord injury, and these involve the sudden and extreme turning or twisting of the spine, resulting in strains, sprains and even vertebral separation. This injury type is particularly common in accidents where the vehicle rolls or spins, or in side-impact collisions.

Spinal Cord Injury Symptoms

You may or may not feel fine after an auto accident, and may be tempted to brush things off and just hope and believe that everything will go back to normal in a few days or weeks. However, this is not advisable as injuries sustained to the spinal cord may not become apparent until much later, so prompt medical attention even if you feel well after an auto accident is advisable.

Here are some of the warning signs of spinal cord injury after an auto accident:

Sensory Changes

Spinal cord injuries may cause altered or absent sensation, such as temperature, touch and even pain perception below the injury level. For instance, you may feel some tingling and numbness in the area affected. In some instances, a phenomenon known as dysesthesia, or distorted or heightened sense of touch may be present, leading to pain and discomfort.

Autonomic Dysfunction

The autonomic nervous system is responsible for involuntary bodily functions such as the regulation of blood pressure, bowel and bladder function and the control of one’s body temperature. If the spinal cord suffers an injury, the autonomic nervous system may be thrown out of whack, leading to puzzling symptoms such as orthostatic hypertension, difficulty staying cool or always feeling cold, and bowel and bladder incontinence.

Muscle Spasticity

Due to spinal cord control of neural pathways, any form of damage may lead to the involuntary tightening or contracting of muscles below where the injury occurred. Spasticity is often seen in spinal cord injury patients, and this refers to increased muscle tone that can make simple tasks such as walking, using one’s hands and even lying down difficult. Treatment for spasticity after an auto accident involves physical therapy and medication such as anticonvulsants and GABAergic agents.

Paralysis

Perhaps the most severe symptom of spinal cord injury involves loss of sensation or voluntary movement below the site of injury. Paralysis can range in severity from mild weakness to flaccid paralysis, depending on where the spinal cord damage is located. If you were injured around your neck or suffered a cervical spinal cord injury, you may experience quadriplegia, or paralysis of all your four limbs. Those who suffer spinal cord injury around their mid-back or lower-back may only suffer paraplegia, or lower body paralysis.

Treating Spinal Cord Damage

Treatment for spinal cord injuries after an auto accident can be complex and involve different treatment modalities as well as seeing a number of specialists.

  • The first stage involves proper diagnosis which begins with a physical examination in order to determine range of motion, neurological function and pinpoint the site of spinal cord injury. Imaging tests such as CT scans, MRI scans and X-Rays may be ordered in order to have a clear picture of the current state and alignment of the spine as well as identify dislocations, fractures and other injuries. You may also need to see a neurologist so that your motor and sensory abilities can be tested to determine the injury’s severity. Nerve conduction studies, also known as electrophysiological studies to determine the state of your nerves and muscles are typically done as part of diagnosis, and in some cases, cerebrospinal fluid analysis and evoked potentials may be conducted so treatment can be done in a comprehensive manner.
  • Once all diagnostic tests are done and dusted, treatment can begin, and this is at the discretion of the physician. Immobilization and stabilization of the spine by way of a backboard or neck collar shall most likely be the first treatment course to prevent further spinal cord aggravation. Airway management, respiratory support and bleeding control may be done at the site of the accident if the spinal cord injury was catastrophic. High dose corticosteroids may also be administered in order to lower inflammation and prevent further damage. In some cases, emergency surgery may be required to remove fragments of bone or any impaled material or dislocated vertebrae so the healing process can commence. Physical therapy, once you’ve stabilized, will begin in order to restore your range of motion, strength and functional mobility. Physical therapy is also vital as it will prevent your muscles from atrophying or wasting away due to lack of use.

Sustained Spinal Cord Injury After an Auto Accident? We Can Help – Call Us Today!

There is so much we haven’t covered in this post, but the fact remains that most spinal cord injuries after an auto accident are due to negligence brought on by another party. To have a valid claim however, it is important that you prove that the defendant or at-fault individual had a duty of care to operate their vehicle in a reasonably safe manner, they breached this duty of care via a specific negligent act, this breach directly caused you to suffer injuries, and that these injuries are compensable via specific damages.

In spinal cord injury lawsuits, one can recover various forms of damages such as medical expenses, lost income, punitive damages, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and so much more, a figure that can potentially run into the millions of dollars.

If you’d like us to have a look at your potential claim and provide you with free legal information on how to proceed, simply call us NOW at 312-444-0214 to speak with one of our attorneys at absolutely no cost to you. Thanks for choosing us, and we look forward to helping you.