Thankfully, most of us will never know what it’s like to suffer a spinal cord injury. If this happens to you, perhaps in a motor vehicle accident, you’ll benefit from the help of a seasoned Atlanta spinal cord injury attorney.
What Are the Different Types of Spinal Cord Injuries?
While there are different types of spinal cord injuries, most of them are pretty serious. With the exception of whiplash, which typically heals itself within a matter of weeks, the others can cause long-term medical issues.
Here are some of the common types of spinal injuries.
- Herniated Disc: A herniated disc is a back injury that may require surgery. At a minimum, you’ll be dealing with a lot of pain and may need physical therapy.
- Whiplash: This injury occurs when your neck is stretched too far in any one direction.
- Fractured Vertebrae: Normally, if you fracture a bone, it heals over time. When it comes to your spine, it’s not something you should leave to chance.
- Spinal Cord Damage: A spinal cord injury can result in complete or partial paralysis and loss of sensation.
It’s Critical That You Seek Medical Treatment Immediately After the Crash
Whether you think you’re injured or not, you need to go to the hospital immediately after your accident. Once there, the doctors can run the necessary tests to see if you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury.
Some of these tests include:
- CT scan
- X-ray
- MRI
- Evoked potential testing for feeling and sensation
Once these tests have been conducted, the doctors will have a much better idea of how serious your spinal cord injury is.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?
Our auto accident lawyers in Atlanta have handled many cases involving spinal cord injuries over the years. These cases are difficult because our clients suffer devastating and life-changing injuries.
Some of the more common causes of spinal cord injuries are car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents. If you’re involved in any of these, there’s the chance that you can suffer a spinal cord injury.
Motor Vehicle Accident Are the Leading Cause of Spinal Cord Injuries
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries. Aside from falls and workplace accidents, it’s hard to imagine anything other than motor vehicle accidents being the leading cause.
When our Atlanta accident attorneys first meet with accident victims, we assess their injuries. We review their medical records and ask them what type of injuries they’ve suffered. When they tell us they suffered a spinal cord injury, we work tirelessly to get them a substantial amount in damages.
You May Not Realize That You’re Injured Right Away
One of the problems for many of our clients is that they don’t realize they’re injured at first. After the accident, they insist that they’re fine. However, over the next few hours or days, it becomes clear that something’s wrong.
This is why our auto accident lawyers in Atlanta always tell our clients to look out for certain signs. If you think there’s anything wrong, you need to get to the hospital right away.
Are There Certain Symptoms to Look Out For?
The problem with spinal cord injuries is that the longer they go untreated, the worse they become. If you aren’t diagnosed immediately, it could make a significant difference in your recovery.
Some of the signs that you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury include the following:
- Terrible pain in your neck, head, and back
- Numbness and tingling in your extremities
- Breathing issues
- Inability to stand or walk straight
- Bladder control issues
- Weakness
If you notice any of these symptoms, go to the emergency room right away. Not only is this important for your health, but it can also impact your case.
If the defendant sees that you waited days or weeks to see a doctor, they’ll claim that something other than your car accident caused your injury.
Your Auto Accident Lawyer in Atlanta Will Demand Compensation for Your Past and Future Medical Bills
We understand that the main reason you hire an auto accident lawyer in Atlanta is so they can get you compensation for your injuries. When it comes to a spinal cord injury, you may be entitled to a significant amount in damages.
One of the major expenses associated with a spinal cord injury is your medical bills. Given the nature and extent of your injuries, you could incur hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. You’ll also need future medical care which will be just as expensive.
You’ll Likely Require Long-Term Medical Care
People who suffer a spinal cord injury usually need surgery. In addition, they may need long-term medical care. This can range from physical therapy to needing a live-in caretaker. It all depends on where on your spinal cord the injury took place.
The specific location of your spinal cord injury is critical. Normally, the area below where your injury takes place will be compromised. Many of our clients end up totally or partially paralyzed. The extent of your paralysis depends on the spot where the injury occurred.
Your Atlanta Accident Attorney Will Demand Other Damages as Well
In addition to compensation or past and future medical bills, your Atlanta accident attorney will demand other damages. There are two types of damages. Economic damages are those that can be proven using bills, receipts, and invoices.
Non-economic damages include intangible things such as pain and suffering or emotional distress. Your auto accident lawyer in Atlanta will fight to get you as much as possible.
You’ll Be Entitled to Economic Damages
When it comes to economic damages, your Atlanta accident attorney will demand the following:
- Lost wages
- Lost future income
- Repairs or the replacement value for your vehicle
- All other out-of-pocket expenses related to the crash
Your attorney will try to get you some or all of these damages in your settlement.
Your Auto Accident Lawyer in Atlanta Can Also Demand Pain and Suffering
As with most other serious car accident cases, your auto accident lawyer in Atlanta will push to get you damages for pain and suffering. In addition, given the nature of your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:
- Emotional distress
- Lost of quality of life
- Loss of companionship with your spouse, partner, and family
- Loss of a career and fulfillment
Of course, your Atlanta accident attorney will have to the damages you list in your complaint. There’s also a good chance that your attorney will settle your case. They’ll make sure that you’re fairly compensated for your serious, life-changing injuries.
Schedule Your Free, Initial Consultation with an Atlanta Accident Attorney Immediately
If you suffer a spinal cord injury, you won’t be in any position to fight with the insurance company. However, you’ll need someone on your side to help get compensation for your injuries. Our auto accident lawyers in Atlanta are in the best position to help you do this.
We suggest you contact our office and schedule your free consultation with one of our Atlanta accident attorneys immediately after your accident.
