Although it’s not a new concept, getting behind the wheel can be dangerous.  An astonishing 40 percent of all spinal cord injuries occur as a result of car accidents.  Whether your back seems perfectly fine, or you know there might be something wrong, it is important that you stay informed on proper spinal cord injury diagnosis, treatment, and what an attorney can do.

Vehicle types and their commonly associated injuries

SUVs and passenger vehicles:

• whiplash
• quadriplegia

Semi trucks:

• paraplegia

Delivery vans:

• disc bulge
• disc burst fracture

What are some spinal cord injury symptoms?

• Loss of your gross or fine motor functions
• Complete or partial loss of sensation
• Numbness or tingling in your extremities
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of bladder control
• Muscle spasms

How is a spinal cord injury typically diagnosed?

When spinal cord injury is suspected, immediate medical attention is imperative.  Usually, spinal cord injuries are diagnosed by seeing which vertebrae of your spinal cord were injured or disrupted.

Initial evalution – Your physician will likely perform x-rays, a CT scan, and probably an MRI.  Fractures are shown on plain radiographs. CT scans and MRIs are used to evaluate the soft tissues in the spinal column.  A myelogram may be performed to identify and evaluate any spinal cord lesions caused by the accident.

Neurologic evaluation – This is where your physican will do a thorough assessment of your symptoms.  They will likely examine your mental status, as well as your motor and sensory functions.  Once the evaluation is complete, your physican will be able to make a proper diagnosis.

Quadriplegia (Tetraplegia) –  The partial or complete loss of feeling and use of all limbs and torso.

Paraplegia – The loss of motor or sensory functions below the waste.

What can an attorney do for me?

• Help you determine the economic loss associated with your back damages
• Offer advice on special care and treatment, as well as other economic needs
• Work with your doctor to help document evidence for the most accurate prognosis and diagnosis
• Help you and your family cope with the grief and trauma of the accident

If you have a spinal cord injury as a result of a car accident, don’t hesitate to contact Bruce A. Hagen, your personal injury attorney in Atlanta, Georgia.