Victims can endure an injury to almost any part of the body during a car accident, but one of the most severe injuries you can sustain is to the spine. Not only can spine injuries be life-altering, but they are also one of the most common injuries experienced in a car accident.
Dealing with a spinal injury can be devastating and financially debilitating. If you have experienced a spinal injury in a car crash because of someone else’s negligence, you may be qualified to recover compensation for your damages. Consult with an experienced car accident lawyer for guidance regarding your unique case. Keep reading to learn about the various spinal injuries that are commonly associated with car accidents and what compensation may be owed to you.
Common Types of Spinal Injuries Associated with a Car Crash
Many spinal injuries can occur because of a car crash. Some of these injuries may require extensive medical care and rehabilitation. Below are the most common spinal injuries after a car accident.
Whiplash Injuries
The most frequently experienced injury that results from a car accident is a whiplash injury. Most of the time, it directly affects the neck, but it can also impact the spine. Victims are also susceptible to multiple injuries during an accident which can multiply the complications they experience from their whiplash injury. Some victims also experience chronic whiplash that can cause a lifetime of pain and trauma to the victim.
Herniated and Ruptured Disc Injuries
A herniated disc or ruptured disc can result from the vertebrae being damaged during a car accident. These casings that surround and protect the spinal column are filled with jelly-like discs between the vertebrae and may be torn, ruptured, or shifted during an accident, creating friction between the vertebrae and sometimes nerve damage. Symptoms may be numbness, tingling, and radiating pain. Conservative, minimally invasive care may be able to heal the damage, but oftentimes surgery is required for serious spinal injuries.
Spinal Fractures
Spinal fractures occur when the victim’s body is jerked in two opposing and sudden directions during an accident. All of that movement and pressure can cause a compression fracture in the spine. Symptoms can range from pain, numbness, or more extreme problems like bladder control. When dealing with a spinal fracture, treatment might include physical therapy, surgery, rest, and sometimes immobilization of the spine.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis may be caused in a car accident, or may be exacerbated by the accident because of the spine’s preexisting condition. Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses upon nerves. You may experience numbness, pain, and other complications from an already deteriorating spine.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are the most severe injury a victim can endure. Although the outer part of the spine can be repaired, the spinal column and its nerves are still irreparable through any medical means. This injury may require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, assistance, and medication.
Facet Joint Injuries
Facet joints included in the spine act as a hinge between each vertebra and are often injured in car accidents. This injury requires physical therapy, facet injections, possible chiropractic care, dry needling, and ablation procedures.
Most Common Treatments for Spinal Injuries from a Car Crash
Spinal injuries that have resulted from a car crash may need a range of treatments depending on the type of injury you sustained. Injuries such as whiplash or a herniated disc may be treated with physical therapy and medication. Other injuries may require surgery due to the damage inflicted on the spine and spinal column. Paralysis is the most difficult to treat and may be a life-long injury depending on the amount of damage the spinal cord endured.
Contact a Skilled Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you have incurred a spinal injury resulting from a car crash, you should consult a seasoned personal injury lawyer for guidance surrounding your case. The skilled lawyers at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, collect essential evidence, and build a strategic case so that you may focus on recovery.
The legal team at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford are dedicated to securing compensation for our Pennsylvania clients’ medical expenses and lost wages. For 65 years, we have advocated for our client’s interests and needs to recover the financial compensation they deserve for the injuries they’ve endured. To discuss your case with a seasoned lawyer, call (215) 822-7575 for a free consultation or fill out our contact form.
