What to know about car accidents and spinal cord injuries

On Behalf of | Jun 17, 2022 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car accident-related can range from minor bruises to life-altering injuries like broken bones, brain and spinal cord injuries. If you are hurt in a car accident that is someone else’s fault, you need to pursue the liable party for damages.

Spinal cord injuries that are caused by a car accident can happen to the discs of the spinal column, vertebrae and the actual spinal cord. All these injuries can result in partial or total paralysis depending on their location and severity.

Diagnosing spinal cord injuries

The most obvious sign of spinal cord injury is paralysis. However, it is important to understand that some spinal cord injury symptoms may not be apparent immediately following the crash. Here are some of the symptoms you need to look out for if you suspect spinal cord injury:

  • Unexplained dizziness and confusion
  • Neck pain and stiffness
  • Numbness or muscle spasms in the back and the limbs
  • Weakness or paralysis of the body

How spinal cord injuries occur during car accidents

A number of factors work together to make auto accidents a major cause of spinal cord injuries.

Poor car design coupled with inadequate safety equipment can cause spinal injuries during the crash. When the safety belt fails, the vehicle’s occupants can sustain head, neck and back injuries during the crash.

Reckless driving is another common cause of spinal injuries during car accidents. A motorist who is driving at unsafe speeds or making erratic lane changes are more likely to lose control of their vehicle and cause an accident that can lead to an injury to the spine.

Finally, the odds of suffering a spinal cord injury increases when the vehicle rolls over. During the rollover, the damages to the vehicle’s roof and body are likely to result in head, neck and spinal cord injuries to the vehicle’s occupants.

A spinal cord injury can leave you paralyzed for the rest of your life. Find out how you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit if you hurt your spine in a car accident that is not your fault.