What to Know About Spinal Cord Injuries From Car Accidents

The spinal cord transmits information from the body to the brain and vice versa. Although the spinal column protects this bundle of nerves, a strike to which the vertebrae are fractured or dislocated can result in irreparable harm to the spinal cord. Any spinal cord injury necessitates urgent medical attention. The potential long-term consequences of said injury could be mitigated by administering appropriate and prompt medical attention.

Conversely, not all spinal cord injuries are curable, and those that are can lead to complications that have a profound impact on an individual's life. In addition to these injuries, victims may be left to deal with the physical, financial, and emotional repercussions after a severe car accident. Worse, hundreds of thousands of Texans suffer injuries in motor vehicle accidents each year. Every 61 seconds, according to the Texas Department of Transportation, an accident occurs somewhere in the state.

Most Common Types of Crash Injuries

With abrupt movement, hits, debris, and more, injuries from auto accidents may vary from small scratches and bruises to major and life-threatening wounds. Of course, whiplash is the most frequent injury sustained in car accidents. In contrast, strains, sprains, tissue damage, and bruising account for half of the injuries presented to the ER, but fractured bones account for less than 5% of injuries yet account for half of the hospitalizations.

Chest injuries and fractured ribs are also typical seat belt-related injuries. Although seat belts save lives and prevent more severe injuries, they can still cause breaks and fractures.

One of the most serious types of injuries, Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), are also unsettlingly common after a vehicle crash. Most traumatic brain injuries are caused by serious falls, gunfire, and motor vehicle accidents. What's more, TBIs are notoriously difficult to detect and diagnose. Slight memory, brain, and bodily functioning issues may indicate more severe damage.

Spinal Cord Injuries in Car Accidents

An attorney who specializes in spinal cord injuries (SCI) will inquire about the circumstances surrounding your injury at the outset of our consultation. This is because the events or behaviors that resulted in the harm frequently provide the means to identify the culpable entity or organization. As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the four most prevalent etiologies of traumatic SCI in the United States include collisions, falls, violent crime, and sports.

However, car accidents constitute the primary factor contributing to approximately 50% of spinal cord injuries, thus establishing them as the most prevalent cause of SCI. According to studies, using a vehicle safety belt has been associated with a reduction of up to 60% in the likelihood of SCI. Combining a seatbelt and airbag results in an approximate 80% reduction in overall risk. By contrast, fall-related spinal cord injuries affect approximately 25% of individuals with SCI. Falls rank first among injuries sustained by individuals aged 65 and above.

Consequences of Spinal Cord Trauma

The transmission of sensory information from the brain to other areas of the body is impaired in cases where the spinal cord is severed, compressed, shredded, or otherwise compromised. Moreover, an injury can be classified as either complete or incomplete. For example, an incomplete SCI is characterized by the loss of sensation and mobility below the injury site.

Conversely, a complete SCI results in the victim developing paralysis below and at the site of the injury. A ruptured spinal cord causes a total impairment of motor function. It generates sensory obstructions that hinder the brain's ability to perceive sensations such as pain, temperature, pressure, and the position of a limb or body part. Paraplegia causes paralysis of the legs, and quadriplegia causes paralysis of the entire body below the damaged cervical vertebrae. Finally, tetraplegia affects the entire body. Here is a complete list of the symptoms associated with generally with spinal cord injury:

• A lack of mobility
• A modification or loss of sensation, including alterations to the senses of contact, temperature, and thermal perception
• Incontinence (control over one's bowels or bladder)
• Spasms or exaggerated reflex actions
• Declines in sexual sensitivity, function, and fertility
• Intense tingling or pain from nerve fiber injury in the spinal cord
• Difficulties with respiration, wheezing, and clearance of pulmonary secretions

The following are the most immediate signs of a spinal cord injury sustained in an accident:

• Severe back discomfort accompanied by head, neck, or back pressure
• Loss of control, incoordination, or weakness in any part of the body
• Loss of sensation, numbness, or quivering in the hands, digits, feet, or legs
• Incontinence, as mentioned above
• Difficulties with mobility and balance
• Unusual fatigue or malaise after a crash
• Feelings of strain or elongation throughout the back or neck

Urgent treatment often includes surgical intervention, traction, or supports applied to the spine for stabilization or medication. In addition to physical and rehabilitative therapies, mobility aides and medications may be prescribed for long-term care.

Call the Rasansky Law Firm After a Dallas Car Accident

Regardless of the causes and ultimate injuries involved, accidents throughout the Lone Star State touch tens of thousands of families. Although a good portion of Texas car crashes only result in minor injuries, other victims are permanently disabled and in excruciating pain for weeks, months, or even years at a time due to spinal cord trauma.

If you are dealing with the aftermath of a catastrophic vehicle collision, you must immediately contact a Dallas car accident attorney. You may find that you qualify for fair, full compensation to offset impending medical bills and other financial obligations.

The Rasansky Law Firm's automobile accident lawyers have more than three decades of experience in assisting victims of accidents caused by careless and reckless drivers in moving forward with their lives. Our team of educated and well-respected lawyers serves our clients with knowledgeable and trustworthy legal counsel. We are ready to analyze the details of your accident and the surrounding circumstances to assess your legal alternatives effectively. If you have been injured in an automobile accident in Texas and have concerns about your legal options, please call (214) 651-6100 for a free examination of your case. Our Dallas car accident lawyers are ready to help you and yours today.