4 Common Types of Spinal Injuries From Car Accidents
Car accidents are among the leading causes of spinal injuries. Every year, hundreds of thousands of spinal injuries occur due to traffic accidents. The human spine is a complex system that controls how you move and sense everything. An injury to the spine can have devastating consequences. If you’ve been in a Florida car accident and have suffered a spinal injury, you need to ensure you seek medical treatment as soon as possible if you still haven’t. Delaying medical treatment can result in complications. You should also speak to a qualified car accident attorney if the negligence of another party caused your spinal injury. You may be eligible for compensation, and an attorney can provide legal assistance.
A car accident can result in various types of spinal injuries. The following are some of the most common types of spinal injuries from car accidents;
Whiplash
Whiplash is a common injury in car accidents, especially rear-end accidents. This injury occurs when the neck is rapidly jacked back and forth. Whiplash affects the cervical spine, which consists of seven stacked bones called vertebrae. This injury can also damage muscles, ligaments, or nerves in the neck region. Often, whiplash symptoms don’t show up immediately after a car accident. Instead, they start within days of the injury. Some common symptoms of whiplash include neck pain and stiffness, reduced range of motion, headaches, tingling or numbness in the arms, pain that worsens with neck movement, and tiredness. If whiplash is not treated on time, it may lead to chronic pain and long-term disability.
Herniated Discs
Between the bones that stack to make your spine (vertebrae) are rubbery cushions called discs. These discs are filled with a gelatinous substance, which provides cushioning to the spinal column. They act as shock absorbers, mitigating the impact of daily activities and preventing the vertebrae from grinding against each other. However, during a car accident, the force of that impact can cause these discs to slip out of place. This is called a herniated disc. A herniated disc can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or a leg.
Spinal Fractures
A spinal fracture occurs when a vertebra breaks either partially or entirely. During a car collision, your body is jerked in different directions. This motion can lead to a lot of pressure on your spine, causing a fracture. Common car accident spinal fractures are compression and burst fractures. A compression fracture occurs when the front part of a vertebra is crushed. On the other hand, a burst fracture occurs when an entire vertebra shatters. Spinal fractures can cause severe pain, limited mobility, weakness in the legs, bowel or bladder changes, or even paralysis.
Spinal Stenosis
This is when the spinal canal becomes excessively narrow, putting pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. Significant trauma to the spinal column from a car collision can trigger this condition. If you already have this condition, a car accident can worsen it.
Legal Help Is Available
If someone else’s negligence caused your car accident spinal injury, our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you pursue compensation for your injuries and damages.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Fort Myers, Ocala, Orlando, Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach, Bradenton, Naples, and Melbourne areas.