The Differences Between Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis
Spinal cord damage is one of the worst injuries you can experience after a car accident. The sheer force of impact can turn a simple wound into a life-altering injury. It all depends on the trauma sent to your cervical, lumbar, or thoracic spine. Approximately 17,730 people experience this annually and require long-term medical care.
The spinal cord injury lawyer of Grey Law knows that this is an overwhelming time for you and your family. When someone else’s negligence has caused you harm, you shouldn’t have to be burdened by hospital bills and rehabilitative expenses. When you entrust our firm, we assure you that our legal team will fight tirelessly to get you compensated. We are well versed in handling all auto accident claims in Los Angeles.
How Can a Car Accident Cause Spinal Cord Injury?
The spinal cord can be described as a column composed of nerve tissues encased by vertebrae. The spine is extremely sensitive, even though it is the literal backbone of the body. Whether it’s a car crash, truck collision, or motorcycle accident, there are several ways that the spine can undergo an impairment.
Upon impact, the shock can throw the spine out of alignment. Sensitive tissues of the thoracic and lumbar sections break down and dislocate. There might even be internal bleeding, a herniated disc, and torn ligaments. Without proper treatment the damage can spread to the nervous system, causing more pain.
Paralysis: What Accident Victims Should Know
After an accident some people encounter temporary paralysis and regain full function after a period of time. Partial paralysis is not uncommon or unheard of among victims. You’ll typically notice the inability to make voluntary muscle movements. Other signs and symptoms you could experience:
- Tingling and numbness
- Muscle cramps
- Loss of sensation and control
Paralysis affects all accident victims differently; it depends on the location of the injury. When the lumbar or thoracic regions are most impacted, the doctor is likely to diagnose paraplegia. Paraplegia is paralysis from the waist down. Aside from spinal cord damage, oxygen deprivation, strokes, and infections can also contribute toward its severity.
What Should I Do If My Back Hurts After a Car Accident?
The first thing you should do after an accident is dial 911. Paramedics will transport you to the hospital for emergency treatment. They will most likely need to use a backboard and neck brace to keep you stable on the way there. Hospitals have a more comprehensive range of diagnostic testing and treatments for spinal damages and paralysis than primary care doctors. Standard tests you are likely to undergo are CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, and neurological exams.
A personal injury lawyer would strongly advise against opting out of medical care if you hope to file a lawsuit. In court, the opposing counsel can use that information to prove that your damages weren’t critical or you got injured outside of the collision. At Grey Law, we will work with you to recover from loss of income, emotional distress, and other changes to your quality of life. Fortunately in California there is no limit on compensatory damages for spine accident claims.
About Grey Law
“When it comes to getting you more, I won’t settle for less.” – David Grey
When you or a loved one are injured due to negligence, carelessness, or wrongful acts of another person, David Grey is ready to help. Seeking compensation or negotiating with insurance companies can be stressful, especially while recovering. Let us do that for you.
With thousands of lawyers in California, we understand it can be difficult to choose the right legal representation. We have 35+ years of experience and secured millions for our clients. From the time you retain our firm, we build your case.
For a free case evaluation and consultation, reach out to us at (323) 857-9500 or email info@greylaw.com.
Personal injury attorneys with