Personal Injury Attorneys in New Jersey: Spinal Injuries Are Common Auto Accident Injuries
Even though many people probably consider themselves safe drivers, car crashes are one of the leading causes of personal injury and accidental death. Some people may be lucky enough to escape from a car accident unscathed or with just a few scratches, but unfortunately, most auto accidents result in more serious injuries, many of which may include spinal injuries.
Understanding Spinal Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
Many common injuries caused by auto accidents are spinal injuries such as herniated discs, spinal cord injuries, and compression fractures. A disc is a sponge-like cushion between spinal vertebrae that make the spine flexible. In the case of a herniated disc, the immense amount of pressure caused by the force of a crash can cause a disc to slip out of place, fracture, or deform. The absence of the cushion between vertebrae and the presence of tissue in places it isn’t supposed to be can lead to moderate to very severe nerve damage. As a result, a person’s neck, back, legs, or feet may often be affected by pain or numbness.
The spinal cord is an essential part of the body. During a car crash, the nerves within the spinal cord can be damaged and the victim will lose motor skills and the ability to function normally. Depending on the severity and location of the spinal injury, a person can suffer anywhere from partial to total numbness that typically covers either lower body (paraplegia) or full body (quadriplegia: from the neck and down) paralysis.
Compression fractures are a type of spinal injury that occurs most frequently in older adults. These fractures start small in the bones of the spine, but may lengthen or widen and will lead to permanent spine deformation. They are quite frequently initiated from impact in an auto accident. Victims experience back pain and difficulty breathing, which is unfortunately often mistaken for arthritis and therefore treated improperly or left untreated until it is too late.
Spinal Injuries Are Costly in Many Ways
New Jersey auto accident attorneys at Legome & Associates understand that automobile accidents often take their highest toll on the people involved, not on the cars. For victims of accident-caused spinal injuries, the costs are both high and continuous, emotionally, physically, and financially. A person may never walk again because of a car accident. Even lesser, but still serious injuries that do not result in paralysis can have severe consequences such as brain damage and other disabilities. These disabilities often prevent a person from working, for at least an extended period of time, if not for life. Automobile accident spinal injuries sometimes prevent the injured person from interacting at a semi-normal level with his or her family, friends, and community. In addition to new difficulties for everyday living, victims of spinal injuries usually incur ongoing financial costs such as long-term hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and other follow-up appointment and medication expenses.
Contact New Jersey Auto Accident Attorneys at Legome & Associates to Discuss your Case
Unfortunately, victims of spinal injuries caused by car accidents are not able to get the care they need when they find themselves financially unable to pay for the treatment they need and do not have adequate insurance coverage. Fortunately, experienced South Jersey auto accident attorneys at the Haddonfield personal injury law firm of Legome & Associates are ready to provide the legal representation you need to get the compensation you deserve. Our personal injury attorneys handle auto accident cases throughout South Jersey, including Atlantic City, Cherry Hill, Camden, Gloucester Township, Haddon Township, Washington Township, and Burlington.
While no amount of money can ever make up for an injury as serious and life-changing as a spinal injury, a just award for compensation will help you move forward in recovery. Contact the car accident attorneys at Legome and Associates at 856-528-3284 or contact us online.