Spinal Cord Injuries in a Car Accident
Motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of unintentional injuries in the United States. One potential injury you could suffer in a car crash is damage to the spinal cord, which runs from the neck to the lower back. If you are diagnosed with a spine injury as a result of a car accident in California, consult with an experienced injury attorney in Los Angeles about your legal options.
Common Spinal Cord Injury Diagnoses After Automobile Accidents
When a car crash takes place, a victim’s spinal cord can sustain many different types of injuries. Heavy impacts, for example, can bruise, crush or compress the bones of the spine (vertebrae) or damage surrounding nerves. Severe lacerations and penetrating injuries, on the other hand, can sever nerves and cause permanent damage.
Spinal injury attorneys in Los Angeles have seen the forces of an automobile accident to cause many different injuries to the spinal cord, such as:
- Broken vertebrae
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis (e.g., paraplegia or quadriplegia)
- Ruptured or herniated disks
- Muscle sprains and strains
- Sacral spine injuries (lower back)
- Neck injuries and whiplash
- Spinal compression injuries
- Spinal concussion from blunt force trauma
- Severed spine
An incomplete spinal cord injury can result in a partial loss of function and feeling in the affected area, while a complete spinal cord injury leads to a total loss of mobility and sensation. The symptoms and effects experienced by a victim will depend on the type, location and severity of the spine injury.
How Much Is a Spinal Cord Injury Case Worth?
It is critical if you suffer a spine injury in a car accident to understand the true value of your personal injury claim. Do not rush into a fast settlement with a car insurance company. Take the time to consult with a Los Angeles car accident lawyer to get a clear understanding of your future foreseeable expenses and losses, including lost capacity to earn and ongoing medical treatments. This can enable you to fight for a fair settlement.
The costs of a spinal cord injury cannot be understated. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, the average lifetime cost of a spinal injury resulting in high tetraplegia is about $6.1 million for an individual who is 25 years old at the time of injury. An individual with motor function disability at any level from a spine injury can expect to spend around $2 million in medical care and living expenses alone.
What to Do if You Suffered a Spine Injury in a Car Accident in California
If you suffer a spinal cord injury as a result of an automobile accident, there are steps that you should take to protect your physical health and right to recover financial compensation from the at-fault party. Here’s what to do:
- Seek immediate medical attention. A spinal cord injury can be exacerbated if you do not stabilize the spine right away.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan. This may involve attending therapy or rehabilitation appointments. Keep all records documenting your medical care.
- Gather information. Get as much evidence connected to your car accident as possible, including a police report, photos and eyewitness statements.
When you’re ready to file a spinal cord injury claim, start by contacting an attorney. An attorney can help you fight for fair compensation for your related medical bills and losses. An attorney will maximize your case outcome while making sure you have everything you need to get through this difficult time.