Recognizing Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal injury is one of the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. The spine can be injured by impacts to the back, head and neck, by falling or twisting. Signs that the spinal cord may be injured include dizziness, difficulty moving or inability to move, numbness or a tingling feeling, stiffness or pain or shock. Treatment immediately after the injury can have a profound effect on how the injury worsens, or heals.

If you’ve been in an accident and you or a passenger experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to know some basic first aid procedures. First, don’t move, if you can avoid it. Rescue personnel can determine the best way to move an injured person without causing further injury. Don’t remove any gear or clothing, or move the person’s head, neck or back. If there’s a blanket available, this can be helpful to protect the victim from the harmful effects of shock.

What to expect after a spinal injury

Spinal cord injuries are complex and vary with each person. Healing occasionally can be simple, but can also result in annoying chronic aches and pains or serious medical conditions that can change your day-to-day life. Serious spinal cord injuries can result in difficulty with personal care, difficulty breathing, difficulty walking or with other kinds of physical coordination, emotional changes and sexual dysfunction, among many other problems.

It’s important to have excellent, aggressive legal help after your accident if you sustain an injury; your attorney should be experienced with cases like yours, to help you understand what kind of impact your injuries will have for the rest of your life, and what kind of compensation you’ll need to take care of yourself and your family.