What To Do If You Sustain A Spinal Cord Injury After A Car Accident
Posted in Personal Injury,Spinal Cord Injury on July 16, 2023
Vehicle accidents are not uncommon, but the good news is that most result in only minor injuries. However, that is not always the case. Some vehicle accidents result in catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord trauma. Here, our Nashville injury attorneys want to discuss what you can do if you or somebody you love has sustained a spinal cord injury in a vehicle accident caused by the actions of another driver. These injuries can completely alter a person’s life, and it is crucial to recover compensation if another person caused a crash.
Spinal Cord Injuries Range in Severity
It is crucial to understand that spinal cord injuries range in severity. In some cases, whiplash injuries are classified as spinal cord injuries, even though a person will likely be able to make a full recovery after sustaining a whiplash injury.
However, some spinal cord injuries are incredibly severe in result in varying levels of paralysis. This can include quadriplegia, which means the loss of functioning from around the neck down. Victims and also sustain paraplegia, which includes the loss of functioning of the lower limbs. There are also varying levels of incomplete motor functioning that may or may not result in significant paralysis.
Steps to Take After Sustaining a Spinal Cord Injury in a Vehicle Collision
Get Medical Care
If you or somebody you love sustains a spinal cord injury caused by a vehicle accident, your first step is to ensure that you are cared for medically. The prognosis but these injuries often revolve around how quickly a person receives medical care and the effectiveness of the treatment. Spinal cord injury victims may need to undergo extensive physical therapy or rehabilitation and visit spinal cord injury specialists.
Keep Medical Documentation
It is important to document everything that occurs after a spinal cord injury. This includes all medical records and medical bills, as well as any household out-of-pocket expenses a victim and their family incur as a result of the injury. This can include any necessary adjustments to vehicles or homes in order to aid mobility.
Get an Attorney
It is crucial to have a spinal cord injury attorney by your side when working to secure the compensation you are entitled to. The reality is that spinal cord injury claims can become incredibly challenging, particularly when dealing with aggressive insurance carriers. Because these claims can reach high dollar values, the insurance carriers may put up a significant fight in order to pay less compensation to an injury victim.
Document Pain and Suffering
Spinal cord injury victims often face significant life adjustments as a result of the injury. This includes not being able to work and not being able to enjoy everyday activities that they were accustomed to before the injury occurred. This can result in significant emotional and psychological distress that needs to be documented in order to recover adequate compensation.
The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) shows that the cost of a spinal cord injury can range significantly depending on the severity of the initial injury. Those who sustain complete quadriplegia could see first-year medical expenses rise above $1.1 million. Those who experience some sort of motor functionality aside from complete paralysis can see first-year medical costs reach $380,000. If you recently suffered a severe spinal injury due to someone else’s negligence, make sure to get in contact with a Nashville spinal cord injury attorney as soon as possible.