Spinal Cord Injuries Following an Orlando Auto Accident
Spinal cord injuries are relatively common following a serious auto accident, and can leave a victim with permanent injuries in some cases. Spinal cord injuries involve damage to any portion of the spinal cord or the nerves that sit at the end of the spinal canal. After an accident, victims can be left with a change in sensation or strength, or worse.
Back injuries are common in Florida auto accidents, even in minor injury collisions. Spinal cord injuries are some of the most severe injuries. If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury in a Florida auto accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. It’s important to speak with a knowledgeable Orlando auto accident attorney as soon as possible.
Auto Accidents are a Major Cause of Spinal Cord Injuries
According to the Mayo Clinic, the leading causes of spinal cord injuries in the United States are:
- Auto Accidents: Vehicle and motorcycle injuries are the main cause of spinal cord injuries in the country. In fact, auto accidents. account for nearly half of all new cases each year.
- Slip and Falls: When someone reaches the age of 65, the most common cause of a spinal cord injury is usually related to a fall. Falls contribute to over 15% of spinal cord injuries each year. If your slip and fall was the result of someone else’s negligence, you may have a valid premises liability claim for damages.
- Sports and Recreational Activities: Impact sports, athletic activities, and diving in shallow water cause around ten percent of spinal cord injuries on average.
- Violence: Gunshot, knife wounds, and other acts of violence can cause around 12% of spinal cord injuries.
Complete versus Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are divided into two categories — complete and incomplete. A complete spinal cord injury is one where the victim has no function below the level of damage. This means no sensation or voluntarily movements. This affects both sides of the body, it is not limited to only one side. An incomplete spinal cord injury is one where the victim has limited function below the level of the spinal cord that was damaged. There may be some sensation and the victim may be able to move some, often with one limb being more mobile than the other side.
When you look at the level of the spinal cord that was damaged, you can often determine what part of the body could be paralyzed in a complete injury. For example, a neck injury often results in the victim being left as a quadriplegic. If the injury is above the C-4 level, the person may require a ventilator to breathe, while C-6 may mean there is some wrist control but no hand function.
Contact an Orlando Auto Accident Attorney Today
When there is an acute spinal cord injury, there is swelling which can affect nearly every part of the body. As the swelling begins to subside, some patients may begin to regain some function. It can take a long time, sometimes over a year, for incomplete injuries to heal before the patient knows how much mobility they will have.
In the meantime, it’s important to reach out to an Orlando auto accident attorney right away. Contact the Payer Law and let our team help you fight for the compensation you deserve after a spinal cord injury caused by someone else’s negligence.
Resource:
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-cord-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20377890
/suffering-a-traumatic-brain-injury-after-an-orlando-car-accident/
