Have you been diagnosed with fractured vertebrae after a car accident? If so, you may be intimidated, scared, and overwhelmed by how much your life has changed. Spinal cord injuries of this nature often come with serious complications.
Recovering compensation from the liable party is crucial if you hope to cover your medical expenses and have the greatest chance of putting this traumatic experience behind you. Here is more about what you can expect after fracturing vertebrae after a car accident.
How Car Accidents Can Cause Fractured Vertebrae
Car accidents can cause fractured vertebrae in multiple ways. The massive size of a car compared to a human is undeniable. The average motor vehicle weighs approximately 2,800 pounds. The human body absorbing the shock of this weight can be far too much for the body to handle.
When the body is thrown against the sides of the vehicle, the impact can also fracture your vertebrae. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), approximately 39% of all motor vehicle accidents cause spinal cord injuries, including fractured vertebrae.
Head-on collisions, sideswipe accidents, T-bone accidents, and drunk driving accidents are some of the most common car accidents resulting in fractured vertebrae and other spinal cord injuries. Drivers and passengers can reduce their risk of suffering these debilitating injuries by avoiding distracted driving, operating a vehicle within the speed limit, and always wearing a seatbelt.
Types of Fractured Vertebrae and Related Injuries
Fractured vertebrae can take multiple forms. According to the University of Iowa Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, there are five primary types of spinal cord injuries, including:
- Burst fractures – This occurs when a portion of the vertebrae is shattered or penetrates the spinal cord.
- Compression fractures – This occurs when the spinal cord is compressed and forced upward or downward.
- Dislocation – This occurs when the vertebrae of the spinal cord are out of alignment.
- Fraction dislocation – This occurs when the vertebrae of the spinal cord dislocate and fracture.
- Subluxation – This occurs when the joints behind the vertebrae are weakened and cause abnormal bone movement.
The type of vertebrae fracture you experienced can impact the severity of your injuries, how your injuries affect your life, and the compensation you could recover when you hold the liable party accountable. However, in every type of vertebrae fracture case, getting medical attention immediately after the accident is crucial if you hope to regain as much function and mobility as possible.
Symptoms of Fractured Vertebrae
You may not always be sure what types of injuries you have sustained after a car accident. It is normal to feel as though you have only suffered minor injuries initially. However, this is often because the adrenaline your body releases after the accident prevents you from feeling the full extent of your injuries.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, you may have fractured vertebrae:
- Chronic pain in the neck, stomach, back, or hips
- Loss of sensation in the back
- Paralysis or weakness in the affected limbs
- Numbness and tingling in the affected area
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When Should You See a Doctor?
After a motor vehicle accident, you should see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Instead of waiting the next day, get medical help in the minutes or hours after the accident. Particularly with fractured vertebrae, you do not want to lose functionality and limbs or potentially risk paralysis.
If you are having any of the following symptoms, you must seek immediate medical attention:
- Inability to control your bowel or bladder
- Restricted range of motion
- Trouble standing
- Loss of coordination in any part of the body
- Loss of control of any part of the body
If fractured vertebrae are not treated right after the accident, you may be dealing with permanent disability or life-changing damages. Your medical records will also indicate the extent of your injuries and your prognosis. Knowing what your future treatment will require is valuable as you attempt to seek maximum compensation for your damages from the liable party.
Treatments for Vertebrae and Spinal Cord Injuries
Your treatment options will vary when you suffer a vertebrae fracture after a car accident. Some factors affecting the choice of treatment could include the location of your fractured vertebrae, the type of accident you were involved in, your medical history, and more. Some of the more common treatment solutions for vertebrae fractures include the following:
- Bedrest
- Ice therapy
- Prescription medications for pain
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
- Heat therapy
- Use of a back brace
- Muscle relaxants
If the previously mentioned treatment options do not improve your condition, your healthcare providers might suggest surgical intervention. Surgical intervention may be necessary if the vertebrae are unstable or the spinal cord is compressed.
Although fractured vertebrae can often heal without complications, even minor spinal cord injuries can result in extensive medical bills now and in the future. You can expect to require considerable occupational and physical therapy for the foreseeable future. At the same time, you regain function and mobility until you can complete daily living activities without assistance.
What Damages Can I Seek for a Fractured Vertebra?
You have the right to be repaid for every loss you experienced due to fractured vertebrae in a car accident. This includes more than just the compensation you are entitled to for your medical costs related to your injuries.
You can also be repaid for the money you lost when you had to take time off of work, your reduced earning capacity if your injuries will prevent you from returning to work, and multiple types of non-economic damages.
Non-economic damages do not have a fixed financial value, so the compensation you can recover for these losses varies widely. Some examples of non-economic you might be entitled to after suffering fractured vertebrae include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and distress
- Disfigurement and skin scarring
- Loss of companionship and love
- Loss of protection and advice
- Loss of household services
- Inconvenience
- Reputational damage
- Reduced quality of life
Contact a Car Accident Attorney at John Foy & Associates for Help Today
When fractured vertebrae have made it difficult or impossible for you to live your life normally, holding the liable party accountable is crucial so you can avoid financial ruin. You need help covering your medical expenses and property damages and deserve restitution for your non-economic losses.
A respected car accident lawyer at John Foy & Associates is here to help you make the liable party pay. Please fill out our convenient contact form or call our office to schedule your free consultation today.
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