Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries After a Car Accident

An Oklahoma car accident lawyer can be a crucial ally when you’re dealing with the aftermath of a serious crash—especially if it involves a spinal cord injury. These types of injuries can change your life in an instant, often requiring extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and legal support to recover both physically and financially.

Understanding the different types of spinal cord injuries that can result from a car accident is the first step toward getting the help you need.

1. Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries

An incomplete spinal cord injury means the spinal cord has been partially damaged. Some communication between the brain and the body below the injury site remains. These are more common than complete injuries and can vary in severity.

Types include:

• Anterior cord syndrome: Damage to the front of the spinal cord, often affecting motor function and pain sensation.
• Central cord syndrome: Often affects the arms more than the legs and is commonly seen in older adults.
• Brown-Séquard syndrome: A rare injury involving one side of the spinal cord, leading to weakness or paralysis on one side and loss of sensation on the other.

2. Complete Spinal Cord Injuries

With a complete spinal cord injury, the brain loses all ability to send signals past the point of injury. This can result in total loss of function below the injury level.

Common forms of complete injury include:

• Paraplegia: Loss of movement and sensation in the legs and lower body.
• Tetraplegia (or quadriplegia): Loss of function in all four limbs, typically due to injuries in the cervical (neck) region of the spine.

3. Herniated Discs and Nerve Compression

While not always considered a direct spinal cord injury, herniated discs can lead to nerve compression and severe pain, numbness, or mobility issues. Car crashes often put intense pressure on the spine, causing discs to rupture or slip out of place.

4. Fractures and Dislocations

Broken vertebrae and dislocations can damage the spinal cord or surrounding nerves. A burst fracture (when a vertebra shatters) is especially dangerous and can lead to paralysis if bone fragments penetrate the spinal cord.

Why Legal Help Matters

Spinal injuries are complex and often come with long-term consequences. Medical bills, lost income, and reduced quality of life can place overwhelming stress on individuals and their families.

That’s where an Oklahoma car accident lawyer comes in. A skilled attorney can:

• Help you understand your rights
• Collect medical evidence and expert opinions
• Fight for compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering

Final Thoughts

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident, don’t wait to seek help. The earlier you speak to an experienced attorney, the better your chances of securing the support you need to move forward.

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