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The common spinal cord injuries (SCIs) reported in car accidents include whiplash, spinal fractures, herniated discs, facet joint injuries, and spinal stenosis. These and other SCIs can impact an auto accident victim for an extended period.
If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, a Lexington car accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Below are details about spinal injury injuries commonly reported in auto accidents and how they can impact car crash victims physically, emotionally, and psychologically.
Vertebrae in the neck are part of the spine. When a motorist driving their car at a high speed slams their vehicle into another, the parties involved in this incident may experience whiplash.
With whiplash, a person’s neck moves rapidly back and forth. This medical condition may occur when a motorist crashes the front of their car into the back of a vehicle in front.
Whiplash symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, blurred vision, and difficulty sleeping. Some individuals dealing with whiplash may be prone to depression, memory problems, and difficulty focusing.
A spinal fracture happens when any of the vertebrae in the spine cracks or breaks. Reasons why spinal fractures are reported in auto accidents include:
Back pain, paralysis, and loss of bladder control are common symptoms of a spinal fracture. There are also times when those dealing with spinal fractures experience a loss of height, a hunched back, or difficulty breathing.
A disc between vertebrae can bulge or rupture during a car accident. If this occurs, an individual may experience pain and weakness in the lower back or legs.
To manage herniated disc symptoms, a doctor may prescribe pain medication or steroid injections. If these symptoms are severe, a doctor may recommend physical therapy or surgery to relieve pain on nerves compressed due to herniated discs.
Auto accident victims may experience facet joint injuries in conjunction with whiplash. The facet joints help hold vertebrae together. Those coping with facet joint injuries may feel stiffness or tenderness in the neck or back. They may notice it is exceedingly painful to lean forward.
Treating facet joint injuries may involve the use of anti-inflammatory medications or physical therapy. If warranted, surgery may be used to remove a joint or cartilage that is badly damaged.
In a car accident, an individual may experience a narrowing of the spinal canal, i.e. spinal stenosis. As the spinal cord or nerve roots are compressed, this individual may have to deal with pain and numbness. They may have trouble walking as well.
Over-the-counter medications and physical therapy may be used to alleviate spinal stenosis symptoms. Alternatively, braces may be required to stabilize the spine.
Receive the medical care you need for your SCI. Keep track of your medical costs, as you may use these in your case against anyone who caused your auto accident.
Contact us at Gary C. Johnson Attorneys at Law, P.S.C. to speak with a Lexington car accident lawyer. Tell your attorney about your car crash, how it occurred, and who was involved. Your lawyer will let you know if you have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. If so, they can submit your lawsuit and represent you in your case proceedings. They will position you to get fair compensation for your medical expenses and other accident-related losses.