Spinal Injuries From a Car Accident

Car accidents happen every day across the United States. These crashes tend to cause a variety of injuries. In fact, statistics show that car accidents cause approximately 869,000 spinal injuries every year.

Spinal injuries can be painful and take a long time to heal. Serious injuries can even result in permanent disabilities. While not all car accident injuries can be prevented, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk, such as wearing your seatbelt, ensuring your car has functional airbags, and adjusting headrests properly.

Here is a look at common spinal injuries that car accident victims experience.

Whiplash Injuries

These are the most common. Whiplash occurs when the head and neck are violently forced back and forth, commonly during rear-end collisions. This sudden movement stretches and damages the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the cervical spine.

Whiplash can range from mild to severe. Most cases improve within days to weeks, though some victims develop chronic pain and mobility limitations.

Ruptured or Herniated Discs

The impact forces in a crash can cause the gel-like center of a spinal disc to rupture or bulge, placing pressure on surrounding nerves.

Disc injuries often require weeks to months of treatment, and severe cases may require surgical intervention.

Facet Joint Injuries

Facet joints stabilize the spine. Trauma can damage these joints, causing significant pain and mobility limitations. Recovery depends on severity and often includes physical therapy, injections, or surgery.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis involves narrowing of the spinal canal, compressing nerves. Car accidents can trigger or worsen this condition. Treatment ranges from conservative care to surgical decompression.

Broken or Fractured Vertebrae

High-impact collisions can fracture vertebrae in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine, posing serious risk to spinal nerves and surrounding tissues.

If fractured vertebrae shift, they may cause spondylolisthesis, which can also lead to bladder dysfunction and nerve compression. Fractures may require immobilization, bracing, or surgery, with long recovery periods.

Spinal Cord Injuries

These are the most severe. Spinal cord injuries involve direct trauma to the spinal cord itself and often result in permanent neurological impairment. Thousands of Americans suffer spinal cord injuries every year, and car accidents are a leading cause.

A complete injury means total loss of movement and sensation below the injury, while an incomplete injury can result in partial preservation of sensory or motor function

Spinal cord injuries often cause paralysis in certain parts of the body. This can result in lifelong disability, requiring extensive rehabilitation, long-term medical care, and adaptive support.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

A car accident can cause a wide range of injuries, depending on the impact of the crash and number of vehicles involved.

Spinal cord injuries often require lifelong care and result in significant medical expenses. You will need as much compensation as possible to get back on your feet. See how Sue West, a Houston auto accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC can assist you with your case. Schedule a consultation today by calling (281) 347-3247 or filling out the online form.

Source:

newyorkspinespecialist.com/common-spinal-injuries-in-car-accident/