Car Accidents And Spinal Cord Injuries
Car accidents can often result in spinal cord injuries, which can have devastating physical and mental effects. These types of injuries often require extensive treatment which could last for months or even several years. The following article will prove an in-depth analysis of spinal cord injuries, as well as some ways to prevent these injuries while driving.
How are spinal cord injuries classified?
The severity of a spinal cord injury is classified as either “complete” or “incomplete.”
- Complete spinal cord injuries: A spinal cord injury is classified as “complete” in situations where a person loses all feeling (sensory) and all ability to control movement (motor function) below the spinal cord injury.
- Incomplete spinal cord injuries: A spinal cord injury is classified as “incomplete” in situations where a person still has some motor or sensory function below the affected area.
Additionally, there are two types of paralysis that can result from a spinal cord injury, which includes:
- Tetraplegia (aka “quadriplegia”): This type of paralysis affects your arms, hands, trunk, legs and pelvic organs.
- Paraplegia: This type of paralysis affects all or part of the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs.
What are some potential symptoms of spinal cord injuries?
There is a wide range of symptoms that indicate a spinal cord injury, but the most common symptoms typically include the following:
- Loss of movement
- Loss or altered sensation (including the ability to feel heat, cold, and touch)
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Exaggerated reflex activities or spasms
- Changes in sexual function, sexual sensitivity, and fertility
- Pain or an intense stinging sensation caused by damage to the nerve fibers in your spinal cord
- Difficulty breathing, coughing, or clearing secretions from your lungs
In addition to these common symptoms, there are also more severe symptoms which indicate that you should seek medical attention immediately, which include the following:
- Extreme back pain or pressure in your neck, head, or back
- Weakness, incoordination, or paralysis in any part of your body
- Numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet, or toes
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Difficulty with balance and walking
- Impaired breathing after injury
- An oddly positioned or twisted neck or back
Were You Recently Injured in a Car Accident? Contact Our Personal Injury Firm
If you were recently injured in a car accident and have questions about filing a personal injury lawsuit, please contact The Musleh Law Firm. Our experienced Ocala personal injury attorneys will fight to ensure that you receive compensation for your injuries. Please don’t hesitate to contact our office to schedule an initial consultation appointment.
