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Car Accidents Leading Cause of Spinal Injuries

May 7, 2015 / Car Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 32,719 fatalities in motor vehicle crashes in 2013 alone, and motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of spinal injuries.

Most of these injuries begin with a disruption to your vertebrae, potentially tearing into tissue and damaging nerve parts that carry communication signals between your brain and other areas of the body. These spinal injuries are classified as “complete” or “incomplete”; complete meaning that your body cannot receive signals at all below the injury area (paralyzed), and incomplete meaning that you still have some movement and sensation below the injury area.

Types of Accidents that Result in Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can be caused by something as common as whiplash, when a car accident causes your neck suddenly jerk backward and/or forward, usually when a stopped car is suddenly hit from behind. Other spinal injuries can be even more severe in some circumstances, for example:

  • If your car rolls over in an accident;
  • Any high-speed collision;
  • Any accident that causes you to be ejected from the vehicle; or
  • Even minor car accidents, where someone is not wearing a seatbelt

What is frightening about accident-related spinal injuries is that they are not always obvious or noticeable right after your accident. Sometimes what starts as a minor injury can lead to chronic pain. This makes it crucial to receive medical care/examinations right away if you’ve been in a car accident, as being treated immediately can reduce these long-term effects. Some common treatments for spinal injuries include braces, surgery, various medicines, and physical therapy.

Legal Remedies

Anyone who suffers from a spinal injury resulting from an auto accident that was someone else’s fault can bring a claim for negligence against that person, alleging that failure to use reasonable care resulted in the injury. Claims like these can be complicated, so you want to ensure that you seek guidance from an experienced auto accident attorney. Typically, your attorney will need to work with medical experts and seek adequate compensation to ensure that you are covered not only for your current medical needs, but any future care you may need as a result of your injuries.

These types of injuries can be traumatic for people and their families because of their sometimes chronic nature. If they affect an individual’s ability to work, it is also crucial for your attorney to seek compensation for any lost wages that you may suffer. Your attorney will also need to be experienced in dealing with insurance companies, as they typically have to get involved when another driver, covered by their claim, has caused your injury.

Solnick Lawyers Can Help

Our experienced auto accident attorneys are available to listen to your story and help you understand your legal rights. Contact Solnick Lawyers today; we work tirelessly to ensure that your negligence claim compensates you for your injuries and pain and suffering.

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If you have suffered a personal injury, let Solnick Lawyers fight to get you the assistance and compensation to which you are entitled. Contact us at 215-481-9979 to put us on your side.