How Can Spinal Cord Injuries from Car Accidents Affect Your Life?

How Can Spinal Cord Injuries from Car Accidents Affect Your Life?

The answer is in an instant.

According to the Mayo Clinic, motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries. A sudden blow to the spinal cord or surrounding areas can be life-altering and, at the very worst, life-threatening. 

These injuries could also have the same effect on surrounding areas, such as discs, ligaments and vertebrae, causing them to break or bleed from the impact sustained.

As the spinal column contains vital nerve pathways that facilitate communication to the brain, an injury to this region could be devastating. Depending on the area of injury and its severity, trauma to the spinal cord can set off a spectrum of different signs and symptoms. 

 

Signs of Spinal Cord Injuries 

  • Paralysis
  • Tingling or loss of feeling in your hands, fingers, feet or toes
  • Spasms
  • Pain
  • Trouble maintaining balance or walking
  • Abnormally positioned or twisted neck or back
  • Weakness or incoordination in any part of your body
  • Difficulty breathing or coughing
  • Loss of bowel and bladder control

 

What is the Average Costs of Medical Care for Spinal Cord Injuries? 

The physical, emotional and day-to-day functional impact of a spinal cord injury could be overwhelming enough. The ongoing financial burden of medical costs from an accident, however, is an unfortunate reality for many Americans as well. 

According to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, medical costs for the first year of medical care for paraplegia is $518,904. For those who suffer from incomplete motor function, the medical costs for the first year are estimated at $347,484. 

The staggering medical costs add insult to injury more often than not, and can be continuous throughout somebody’s lifetime following an accident. Those with spinal cord injuries often require a lifetime of medical care. 

 

Long-Term Impairments Due to Spinal Cord Injuries Include:

  • Lost sense of touch (or other senses)
  • Recurring muscle spasms
  • Decreased quality of life
  • Joint or nerve pain
  • Depression 
  • Anxiety
  • Permanent full or partial-body paralysis

 

What Steps Should You Take After Being Injured? 

Regardless of injury, you should always seek medical help if you find yourself hurt from a motor vehicle accident in order to receive the best and most appropriate compensation possible.

It is always better to be safe than sorry when making the decision to be treated at a medical center, especially in cases like spinal cord injuries. Some of the more serious and disabling effects of a spinal cord injury could surface moments to even days after the initial impact. Therefore, it is advised to seek medical attention within 72 hours after an accident to document your injuries and receive the help you need. 

 

What to Do to Help Prevent Spinal Cord Injuries from Car Accidents 

The best way to alleviate the damage and costs of this type of severe trauma is, of course, prevention before it occurs. There are some cautionary measures you could take to protect yourself and loved ones from suffering these catastrophic types of injuries. These include the following:

 

  • Always wear a seatbelt
  • Make sure children are in their proper car or booster seats secured with a suitable seatbelt
  • Ensure that the condition of all of your airbags is up to par

 

Why Is Partnering with a Lawyer Important for Your Medical Care? 

It’s imperative that you or your loved one who is injured receives full compensation after an accident that caused a spinal cord injury. As discussed, these injuries can be devastating and require extensive medical treatment that is extremely costly. Unfortunately, insurance companies may try to undermine your claim and what it is truly worth. At The Goss law Firm, we are dedicated to helping injury victims receive the compensation they deserve, protecting their rights, and providing compassion and support during this difficult time. 

 

Sustained Spinal Cord Injuries from an Accident? We Are Here to Help You. 

Any injuries from a motor vehicle accident are enough to make anyone shaken and vulnerable; an injury to the spinal cord, however, can be critical. Always make sure to seek medical care as soon as possible following your accident, and be sure to be in contact with our attorneys at The Goss Law Firm.

Submit your case for a free consultation today and our team will get you on the path towards compensation, healing, and justice. We will be there to guide you every step of the way.