Motor vehicle crashes can lead to a variety of injuries, some of which involve the spinal cord. These injuries can cause paralysis and a host of other symptoms that can last a person’s lifetime.
Anyone who’s suffered a spinal cord injury should receive immediate medical attention. In many cases, these injuries cause spinal shock, which causes inflammation in the affected area. This can make the effects of the injury seem worse than they actually are, but those effects typically abate as the swelling goes down.
Location of the injury determines the area affected
Spinal cord injuries always affect the area below the injury. Because of this, injuries to the neck will usually have greater effects than one to the middle or lower back. While many people automatically think of limb paralysis as the primary effect of a spinal cord injury, there are others, such as trouble breathing or bowel and bladder problems, that affect victims.
Type of injury can determine likelihood of recovery
Spinal cord injuries are classified as either complete or incomplete, depending on the severity of the nerve damage at the site of the injury. If the nerves are fully severed, the injury is complete and unlikely to have a full recovery. If the nerves aren’t fully severed, the injury is incomplete and more likely to have a full recovery.
Treatments for spinal cord injuries can be expensive. Victims may opt to pursue a claim for compensation so they can cover those expenses. Working with someone familiar with these matters can help victims in their quest for compensation.