Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Spinal Cord Injuries and Massachusetts Car Accidents
Spinal injuries and car accidents seem to go hand-in-hand. According to the Mayo Foundation, car accidents cause more than 40% of all new spinal cord injuries reported each year. If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury as a result of a Massachusetts car accident, you have probably experienced a number of disruptions to your life, including exhaustive medical bills, lost wages and pain.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries
The brain and spinal cord make up your central nervous system. Your spinal cord, which includes groups of nerves and nerve cells, runs from the bottom of your brain to the area just above your waist. These nerves are surrounded by vertebrae or bones. In addition, there are discs between the vertebrae which act as cushioning devices.
The groups of nerves in your spinal cord are called tracts. Tracts run to different parts of the body carrying messages, including messages regarding movement or sensory perception, from the brain.
Spinal Injuries and Car Accidents
Your spinal cord injury was likely caused by trauma, a sharp blow or jerking motion. The vertebrae or discs in your spine may have been compacted, fractured or dislocated during your car accident, impacting the nerves located nearby.
You may have immediately felt symptoms of your spinal cord injury, such as:
- Finding it difficult to walk
- Difficultly with balance
- Loss of bladder control
- Severe pain in your back
- Numbness in your extremities
- Difficulty in breathing
It’s possible that even if you walked away from your car accident, you may have suffered spinal cord injures.
Delayed Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries
Think of it this way: When you run into a table, you don’t immediately bruise. It takes a while for the contusion to appear. The same can happen with spinal injuries and car accidents. A spinal cord injury can also result in bleeding and swelling around the affected area.
It can take time for you to start to experience the symptoms of your spinal cord injury; sometimes even up to several weeks. This is one reason why seeking immediate medical treatment is so important after a car accident. A doctor or emergency room team can run tests and perform X-rays to determine a spinal cord injury before your later symptoms arise.
Seeking medical treatment right away can also prevent you from performing any actions which may unknowingly cause you to worsen your condition.
Your Car Accident Injuries
Severe spinal cord injuries are devastating and can mean a lifetime of medical bills and lost wages. While filing a Massachusetts personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party won’t change your condition, you may be entitled to compensation that will help offset some of your suffering and provide you with the funds you need to continue seeking treatment.
If you have been injured in a car crash, you should contact the accident lawyers at Kiley Law Group to learn about your rights and determine liability.
Call 1-888-208-1695 for a Free Consultation today.
