If you suffer a spine injury from a car accident, the lifelong consequences can be catastrophic for you and your loved ones. Trying to figure out immediate steps to take and the steps you will need to take in the future can feel daunting and overwhelming, especially as you face immense injury and pain. At Greenspan & Greenspan, we understand just how tragic a spine injury from a car accident can be. We compiled this guide to help you in the days, weeks, and months following a car accident and spinal cord injury. 

Spinal Cord Injury from a Car Accident? What to Do Now?

If you suffer a car accident spinal cord injury—or any accident-related back injury—you will likely require immediate emergency medical attention. However, after being taken to the emergency room, assessed, and perhaps even given an initial diagnosis, you should familiarize yourself with what to do next.

Seek Specialist Care

Whether you remain hospitalized or are released, you must seek the care of a specialist. A few different specialists can properly treat spinal cord injuries, including neurologists, neurosurgeons, and orthopedic surgeons. You need to see these doctors as soon as possible so you can avoid claims that you exacerbated the injury by failing to seek prompt medical attention. Such specialists can diagnose you and begin a treatment plan to help minimize the physical and emotional repercussions of the injury.

Document Everything

If you can, you should gather all information and documentation from the accident. This can include requesting a copy of the accident report, keeping copies of medical bills and records, and journaling what you can remember from just before and after the crash. Keeping everything together and organized can make pursuing your claim easier. 

Consult with an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

Spinal cord injuries can result in significant financial loss from a mountain of medical bills, an inability to work, and necessary home or vehicle modifications. A seasoned personal injury attorney will investigate the claim and negotiate a fair settlement with insurance companies. However, if the insurers will not agree to fair compensation that covers your losses, your attorney knows how to file and pursue a civil lawsuit for compensation. You have limited time to file a personal injury claim in New York. Do not wait to pursue your legal options. 

Common Spinal Injuries from Car Accidents

Spinal injuries caused by car accidents can be devastating. Even a moderate spinal cord injury from a car accident can drastically impact your life, including your ability to work and participate in normal daily activities. Let’s look at some common spinal injuries that result from car accidents.

Severed Spinal Cord

The spinal cord itself runs through the vertebrae of your spine. Any break, dislocation, crush, twist, or bruise can lead to a severed spinal cord and the loss of communication between your brain and body. In minor cases, you may experience temporary paralysis, numbness, and tingling. In worst-case scenarios, you may experience permanent paralysis from the head and neck or waist down. 

Cervical Spine Injury

A car accident cervical spine injury is one of the most common and is often referred to as whiplash. Such an injury occurs when the force of impact causes the head and neck to move back and forth rapidly, causing damage to the muscles, ligaments, bones, and nerves of the neck and spine. Typically, whiplash is temporary and mild or moderate compared to other spine injuries and will resolve independently with little medical intervention. However, in severe cases, you may need physical therapy, a neck brace, and pharmaceutical medication. 

Herniated Disc

Another common and often serious spine injury is a herniated disc, which occurs when one of the cushion-like pillows between the spinal vertebrae slips out of place or ruptures. The impact of a car collision can cause a herniated disc and may result in pain and symptoms similar to other spinal cord injuries, such as numbness, weakness, tingling, and nerve pain. Herniated disc treatment will depend on the severity of the herniation and can include rest, over-the-counter medication, physical therapy and rehabilitation, or surgery.

Fractures and Dislocations

The spine is an intricate structure of bones that must move smoothly and in sync to work in harmony. A car wreck can cause any number of fractures or dislocations in any of the 33 bones that make up the human spine. Examples of spinal breaks include:

  • Compression fractures, 
  • Flexion fractures,
  • Transverse fractures, and
  • Dislocations.

These typically occur upon impact and require immediate medical attention because failing to seek immediate treatment can cause the injury to worsen. Spinal fractures usually require surgery and a long rehabilitation period. 

New York Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

At Greenspan & Greenspan Injury Lawyers, we have over 30 years of experience helping those with even the most severe spinal injuries seek compensation for costly spinal cord injuries. We have decades of combined experience and our team has gained significant recognition and awards within the legal community. We can guide you through the process of protecting your rights and getting properly compensated so you can move forward with your life. Contact us today to schedule a compassionate, no-cost consultation.