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Spine Injuries in Car Accidents
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Spinal Injuries From Car Accidents
Car accidents can lead to many different types of injuries — some of which carry more long-term consequences than others. The spine is a crucial component of the body’s structural framework and is particularly vulnerable to the forces of a vehicle collision. The severity of a spinal injury makes it stand out as one of the more serious categories of car accident injuries.
For decades, Kanner & Pintaluga have been helping clients pursue compensation for all types of personal injuries, including spine injuries caused by car accidents. If you were involved in a car crash, our lawyers are ready to serve you.
Learn what to do if you or a loved one has a spinal injury from a car accident and how an experienced attorney can help.
Common Spinal Injuries After a Crash
Types of spinal injuries after an auto accident include:
Whiplash
The neck is one of the most vulnerable parts of the spine, and injuries affecting the cervical spine (neck region) can have some of the most debilitating consequences of all auto accident injuries.
Whiplash-related soft tissue injuries occur when the head is forcefully jerked back and forth at a rapid speed, affecting the neck. These are commonly associated with rear-end collisions, but they can potentially happen in all types of crashes. Symptoms may include neck pain, stiffness, and headaches.
Herniated/Bulging Discs
The impact of a car accident can lead to the displacement of discs in the spine. This may cause pain, numbness, and weakness. Herniated and bulging discs commonly affect the cervical or lumbar regions, significantly impacting an individual’s mobility and daily life.
Treatments of herniated and bulging discs are far from perfect, and it’s not uncommon for even skilled orthopedists to struggle to develop truly effective long-term treatment plans. These injuries can potentially leave people with permanent pain.
Spinal Fractures
The force of a collision may result in fractures to the vertebrae, causing significant pain and potentially damaging or severing the spinal cord itself. Fractures always necessitate immediate medical attention and may even require invasive and expensive surgeries.
The long-term impacts of spinal fractures depend on the severity and location of the fracture, but can lead to long-term or permanent disabilities.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Among the most severe spine injuries, damage to the spinal cord can result in paralysis or loss of sensation below the injury site. These injuries demand immediate medical attention as they could be fatal. Spinal cord injuries can have a huge impact on an individual’s independence and long-term quality of life.
Nerve Damage/Impingement
When a nerve in the spine is damaged or impinged, it can lead to a wide range of health issues, including intense pain, sensitivity, and numbness. Sometimes, multiple nerves can cause pain. Treatment for spinal nerve issues can range from anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to physical therapy. However, in more severe cases, surgery may be required.
If you are facing any of these spine injuries as a result of a car crash, rest assured that you are not alone. The attorneys at Kanner & Pintaluga can help you get the compensation you need to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
How Spinal Injuries Are Diagnosed
Unlike some other types of car crash injuries, many serious spinal injuries will be immediately apparent. If you experience any kind of back pain or limited mobility after a crash, it’s important to seek medical attention.
A healthcare professional may diagnose a spinal injury from a car accident by examining the following:
- Neck or Back Pain: A back and neck injury from a car crash can range from mild to severe. Persistent pain in the neck or back following a car accident warrants attention, especially if it lasts for more than a couple of days or the pain's acuteness doesn't begin to subside.
- Numbness or Tingling: Sensations of numbness or tingling in the limbs may indicate spinal nerve damage.
- Weakness in Limbs: Loss of strength or coordination in the arms or legs may signify nerve damage or other issues affecting the spine.
- Difficulty Walking: Impaired mobility, difficulty walking, or changes in gait may suggest a serious spine injury.
Imaging, Exams, and Medical Documentation
If you have any of the symptoms listed above, a doctor might recommend the following:
- X-ray: This helps detect fractures, alignment issues, and other concerns in your spine.
- MRI/CTI: An MRI or CT scan provides more detailed imaging than an X-ray, helping medical professionals determine the extent of your injury. A doctor will tie your imaging results and symptoms together to diagnose your condition.
- Neuro exam: A neurological, or neuro, exam is an evaluation of your nervous system after an accident.
- EMG: This is a diagnostic test that evaluates the health of your muscles and the nerves that control them.
- Physical examination: This assesses your reflexes and range of motion, which may have changed after your car accident.
- Medical documents: Doctors will review your symptoms and test results to determine the best course of treatment. They will also track your pain, function, and work limitations.
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Complications and Long-Term Effects of Spine Injuries
Not only can spine injuries cause immediate symptoms, but they may also lead to many long-term problems. Some of the most common include:
- Chronic Pain: This is persistent pain that affects daily life and functioning.
- Limited Mobility: Some people are unable to move or conduct regular activities after a serious car accident. Physical therapy and rehabilitation are often necessary to address these mobility limitations, while occupational therapy may be required to help people return to work or perform daily tasks.
- Paralysis: Severe spine injuries may result in partial or complete paralysis. Wheelchairs, handrails, and other equipment could be necessary.
- Nerve Damage: Damage to nerves can result in ongoing sensory or motor issues.
The long-lasting impacts of car accident spine injuries make prompt diagnosis and treatment crucial. Imaging tests and ongoing medical care can increase the likelihood of a full physical and financial recovery.
Treatment Options
Treatment and recovery for spinal injuries from car accidents can vary, but might include the following:
- Medications to reduce pain and inflammation, such as corticosteroids and NSAIDs
- Immobilization devices, such as braces and collars
- Steroid injections
- Ongoing physical and occupational therapy
- A spinal fusion or other surgical procedure
Conservative Care vs. Surgery
A medical professional will likely recommend less invasive or ‘conservative’ treatments, such as physical therapy and pain management, to treat a spinal injury at first. If these don’t work, they may suggest a spinal fusion, discectomy, laminectomy, or other surgery. Depending on the type of surgery you have, it may be weeks or even months before you can return to your daily routine.
Kanner & Pintaluga specializes in spinal fusion after car accident compensation claims, helping you recover medical expenses and lost wages.
Proving Causation and Liability
Spine injury claims are often complex, which makes them a target for insurance company pushback. Adjusters may try to downplay your symptoms, delay payment, or claim your injuries are unrelated to the accident. Proving causation and liability, therefore, is critical for receiving maximum compensation. Without legal guidance, you risk receiving far less than you deserve.
The spine injury lawyers at Kanner & Pintaluga understand these tactics and know how to link your accident with your injury. We’ll gather evidence that establishes causation and proves you are not to blame. Here’s how we do it:
- Getting the opinion of medical experts to work out the cause of your injury.
- Evaluating whether physician and witness testimonies align with the underlying laws of physics (biomechanics).
- Using accident reconstruction experts to show how your injury happened.
Pre-Existing and Low-Impact Crash Spinal Injury Claims
An insurer may claim that your injury was caused by a pre-existing degenerative condition or a low-impact car accident — an accident that occurs when traveling at a slow speed.
In these situations, it’s best to consult with an experienced injury attorney firm, such as Kanner & Pintaluga. We’ll handle all insurance communications and negotiations and can take your case to trial if the insurer refuses a fair settlement.
Ultimately, we build strong, evidence-backed claims that protect your rights and help you pursue full recovery.
What Your Claim May Include
Spine injuries from car accidents often lead to long-term physical, emotional, and financial challenges. If another driver’s negligence caused your injury, you may be entitled to compensation that helps you manage both immediate and future costs. The stronger the evidence you provide to an insurer, the higher your compensation may be.
A personal injury claim for a spine injury may cover:
- Medical treatment and surgeries: Emergency care, hospitalization, and follow-up visits for spinal problems and additional injuries.
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability: Income lost during recovery and future earnings impacted by long-term disability.
- Physical therapy and mobility aids: Rehabilitation, assistive devices, and equipment needed for recovery.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, mental anguish, and the emotional toll of your injury.
- Home modification and long-term care: Costs for wheelchair ramps, home adjustments, in-home nursing, or assisted living services.
An experienced spine injury lawyer will ensure your claim includes all damages so you can focus on healing while they handle the legal work. This may involve creating a life care plan for a spinal injury claim as well as a detailed report of your future expenses and financial needs.
What To Do Next
If you suspect you have a spinal injury from a car accident, it’s in your best interest to get immediate medical care, limit your activity, and start collecting evidence for insurers. You can then schedule a free evaluation with Kanner & Pintaluga to discuss your case.
Looking for a qualified personal injury lawyer to take on your case? Kanner & Pintaluga is ready to provide you with the legal support you need. Call us at (800) 586-5555 or request a free evaluation right here on our website.
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