Motor vehicle accidents are among the leading causes of spinal cord injuries in Ohio. If you or someone you love has suffered a spinal cord injury in a car crash, it is important to understand your rights and options to pursue a successful claim for compensation.
Understanding the spinal and its types of injuries
The spinal cord is made up of bundles of nerves that run from the base of your skull to the lower back. It transmits information from the brain to all body parts, allowing you to move and feel sensations.
When a car accident occurs, the impact force can cause sudden and severe damage to the spine. Depending on the severity of the injury, different types of spinal cord injuries can result. These include:
- Bruising of the spinal cord caused by a direct blow or trauma to it (contusion)
- Pressure applied to certain areas of the spine that disrupts nerve functions (compression)
- Tearing or cutting of nerves within the spine due to sharp objects or bone fragments from fractures (laceration)
- Accumulation of blood around or in between vertebrae following an injury that damages nearby blood vessels (hematoma)
Common symptoms and effects associated with a spinal cord injury include paralysis, loss of sensation in certain areas, difficulty breathing, and bladder or bowel control issues. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms following a car accident, it is important to seek immediate medical care.
Types of car accidents that cause spinal cord injuries
The common types of motor vehicle accidents that result in spinal cord injuries include head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, rollover accidents, side impact collisions and even multi-car pileups. In some cases, the negligence of another driver can be a contributing factor to the accident. If this is the case, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim for damages related to your spinal cord injury.
Being involved in any type of motor vehicle accident can be a traumatic and scary experience. But it becomes even more complex when severe injuries like spinal cord damage occur. Pursuing compensation or filing a lawsuit requires navigating state laws, medical procedures and insurance policies that can often be confusing and overwhelming. But if you gather sufficient evidence and stay within the timeline set out by the Ohio statute of limitations, which is two years from the accident date, you may get your rightful compensation.