As a personal injury law firm serving Illinois, Spiros Law is committed to supporting you every step of the way, no matter your injury. You can count on our experienced team to fight for your rights.
Did you know that auto and motorcycle collisions are the number one cause of spinal cord injuries? According to the Mayo Clinic, they are responsible for nearly half of new spinal cord injuries annually.1 A spinal cord injury is extremely serious, and damage is irreversible. Responsible for sending and receiving signals between the brain and body, the spinal cord is an indispensable member of the body.
Below, we’ve provided an overview of spinal injuries so you can be informed and prepared if you or someone you know sustains a spinal injury. Learn more about the anatomy of the spine, common car crash related spine injuries, spinal cord injury treatment, the financial toll of spinal injuries, and why you should hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to fight for you should you sustain a serious injury.
The Anatomy of the Spine
Your spine, also known as your backbone, is a crucial part of your body, essential for movement, supporting the body, and keeping the spinal cord safe. Beginning at the lower part of your skull and running down to your tailbone, the spine consists of small bones called vertebrae, as well as facet joints, intervertebral disks, spinal cord and nerves, and soft tissues. The five segments of the spine are the cervical spine (neck), thoracic spine (middle back), lumbar spine (lower back), sacrum, and coccyx (tailbone).2
Common Spinal Injuries Caused by Auto Collisions
- Whiplash
If you’ve ever been rear-ended, you may have experienced whiplash. Whiplash happens when your neck is moved backward then forward quickly and forcefully during an impact, which can lead to muscle and tissue damage. Symptoms of this neck injury can range from pain and stiffness to tiredness and dizziness. - Herniated Discs
Disks are located between the vertebrae of the spine. Inside each disk is the nucleus, the gelatinous center of the disk. Surrounding the nucleus is the annulus, the rubbery exterior. When part of the nucleus pushes out of the annulus, this results in a herniated disk, which can occur in a car crash. Symptoms include pain in the arm or leg, numbness or tingling, and weakness. - Fractured Spine
When any of the 33 vertebrae in your spine get broken, this is called a fractured spine, also known as a broken back. Three common types of these fractures include compression fractures, burst fractures, and chance fractures. Symptoms can range from back pain to incontinence. - Spinal Cord Injury
When the spinal cord is damaged in any way, this is considered a spinal cord injury. Symptoms may include loss of movement, feeling, and bowel or bladder control, as well as respiratory issues and other symptoms. The injury may be complete, meaning that feeling and control of movement are completely gone below the injury, or it may be incomplete, meaning that there is still some feeling and control of movement below the injury.1
Paralysis
When a spinal cord injury results in the loss of feeling and control of movement, this is called paralysis, which can be categorized as tetraplegia (or quadriplegia) or paraplegia. Tetraplegia (or quadriplegia) impacts your arms, hands, trunk, legs, and pelvic organs, while paraplegia impacts some or all of the trunk, legs and pelvic organs, excluding the arms.1
Long-Term Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury
The effects of a spinal cord injury may vary from patient to patient. Common complications include issues with bladder control, bowel control, the respiratory system, circulatory control, and sexual function. Other common complications may include pain, pressure sores, and osteoporosis. Spinal cord injury patients may also experience depression.1
Diagnosing and Treating Spinal Cord Injuries
If you find yourself seriously injured in a car crash, it’s crucial to get medical care as soon as possible. Along with an exam and a sensory and movement test, diagnosing a spinal cord injury may involve X-rays, a CT scan, and an MRI. These may be followed by an in-depth neurological exam, after a few days have passed, to assess the severity of the injury.3
Treatment may include:3
- Emergency care after an auto collision, which involves immobilizing the spine with a rigid neck collar and carrying board.
- Initial treatment at the hospital, which can involve breathing assistance, shock prevention, neck immobilization, and keeping complications at bay. You may also need to undergo surgery.
- Rehabilitation, which is designed to help you adjust to life after your injury.
- Medication, to help with pain and certain bodily functions.
- Special technology, such as advanced wheelchairs, voice recognition technology, electrical stimulation devices for movement, and more to aid with independence.
Legal and Financial Implications of Spinal Injuries
As you would expect, a spinal injury can be quite costly. Facing the many expenses related to spinal injuries, let alone experiencing the injury itself, can be stressful and overwhelming, to say the least. The cost of treatment, continued care, equipment needed for adjusting to an altered life, and income loss combined can be immense. Not only that, but spinal injuries can also take a major emotional toll on the victim and their family.
When you hire an experienced personal injury lawyer, you don’t have to face these financial burdens on your own. With a personal injury lawyer on your side, you can experience comfort and confidence as they provide support and advocate for you with the goal of securing the compensation you need.
How Your Spinal Injury Lawyers at Spiros Law Can Help
Protect Your Spine, Protect Your Rights
Looking for a trusted injury lawyer in Illinois? At Spiros Law, you’re not just another client. You’re an individual with unique needs who deserves to be listened to, supported, and advocated for. If you have experienced a spinal injury, you can trust the professionals at Spiros Law to provide the support and assistance you need.
Don’t wait. Take care of your health and protect your rights by getting medical attention and reaching out to our spinal injury lawyers shortly after your injury. To avoid making your condition worse or weakening your case, it’s important to receive a diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.
Spiros Law is your trusted spinal injury lawyer resource. Our experienced team is ready to fight for you with compassion and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact the Spiros Law legal professionals in Champaign, IL, Kankakee, IL, or Danville, IL, today to discuss your situation and next steps after an auto collision.
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