When you're involved in a car crash, you may find yourself suffering from any number of injuries that can occur. One of the most serious types of injuries is a spinal cord injury. Your spinal cord transmits messages throughout your body that are sent from the brain, so when you suffer a spinal cord injury, the effect on your life can be catastrophic.
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, the leading cause of spinal cord injuries since 2010 is motor vehicle crashes. Most spinal cord injuries in general start from a sudden or traumatic blow to the spine, so it's only natural that the sudden force of a car crash would be responsible for many spinal cord injuries.
These injuries are classified as either complete or incomplete:
- Complete Spinal Cord Injury: In a complete spinal cord injury, there is a complete loss of function below the point of injury. The person cannot feel or voluntarily move beyond that point.
- Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: In an incomplete spinal cord injury, the person will still have some movement and sensation below the point of injury.
The prognosis varies greatly depending on the severity of the injury. Some people are so hurt that they aren't able to even breathe on their own, while others may make an almost full recovery. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes that people who survive a spinal cord injury will most likely have medical complications like chronic pain and bladder and bowel dysfunction, along with increased susceptibility to respiratory and heart problems.
If you or someone you love suffered a spinal cord injury in a car crash, it's time to contact a personal injury attorney to get the compensation you deserve. Girards Law represents victims in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, so call today for a free consultation at 888-897-2762