Spinal Injuries Experienced in Motor Vehicle Accidents

September 01, 2016

Many people suffer permanent debilitating injuries that dramatically alter their life in auto, truck, motorcycle accidents. There are many serious injuries that can impact your ability to continue working, take care of your family, and prevent you from engaging in daily activities you enjoyed before your accident. Some of these life-changing injuries include spinal cord damage, extensive third-degree burns, damage to internal organs, and traumatic brain injuries. Because spinal cord injuries (SCIs) can prevent you from effectively using your arms, legs, or both, these types of injuries are among the most devastating.

Spinal Injuries Suffered in Atlanta Motor Vehicle Accidents

Spinal cord injuries are the most devastating of musculoskeletal injuries. The impact on mobility and sensation caused by a spinal cord injury depends on the location of the lesion or wound. A spinal cord lesion can be in the lower spine (lumbosacral), middle spine (thoracic), or neck (cervical). The impact on mobility, sensation, and bodily functions depends on the area of the spine that is damaged.

Impact of Injury to Lumbar/Lumbosacral Spine: An injury to this region of the spine can cause paralysis in the legs, sexual dysfunction, bladder infections, anal incontinence, tingling/numbness in the legs, radiating pain and more.
Impact of Thoracic Spinal Injuries: This type of injury can hinder the injured person's ability to stand up, as well as interfering with control of the abdominal muscles.
Impact of Damage to the Cervical Spine: Serious injury to this region can be among the most debilitating type of spinal injury. Damage to the cervical spine can impede movement of the entire body and compromise other bodily functions that include regulation of blood pressure, heartbeat, and perspiration.

Two other important terms that describe the consequences of a spinal cord injury include paraplegia and quadriplegia. Paraplegia refers to the loss of use and sensation in the legs, which occurs when the spinal damage occurs to the vertebrae below the neck, such as in the middle or or lower areas, whereas quadriplegia refers to the loss of mobility and feeling in the legs and arms. In fact, such injuries to the spinal cord at the neck or base of the skull can result in paralysis of all four limbs.

Importance of Prompt Medical Evaluation to Prove Spinal Injuries

When drivers or passengers suffer a spinal injury in a car accident, medical professionals typically use diagnostic imaging like an MRI or CT scan to evaluate and diagnose the injury. Doctors might also use a nerve conduction study to determine if a car accident victim has suffered nerve damage. Diagnostic imaging films, nerve conduction study results, and other medical records are important evidence in a personal injury claim. If you seek prompt medical attention and complete your course of treatment under the care of your doctor, you will have a higher likelihood of a medical recovery while also substantiating the extent of your injury.

If you have suffered a spinal cord injury in a motor vehicle accident, our Atlanta car accident lawyers at Montlick & Associates strive to help you recover significant financial compensation for your injuries. Our law firm has been representing those who suffer serious injuries in Atlanta and in the Southeast for over 39 years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state.

No matter where you are located, the attorneys of Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.

Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law
17 Executive Park Dr NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 529-6333
(800) LAW-NEED
Hours: Open Today · Open 24 hours

Sources:
http://www.mountsinai.org/patient-care/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/quadriplegia-and-paraplegia
https://medlineplus.gov/spinalcordinjuries.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-cord-injury/basics/definition/con-20023837
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/sci/sci.htm
http://www.spinalinjury101.org/details/levels-of-injury

Category: Auto Accidents