Spinal Cord Injury from Car Accidents

Can a car accident cause a spinal injury? Yes – and in fact, spinal cord injury due to car accidents is one of the leading causes of such injuries, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. And, according to an article in the Asian Journal of Neurosurgery, the risk of suffering a severe spinal cord injury after a car accident is high due to a combination of factors, including manufacturing issues, inadequate safety equipment, issues with road design, and mistakes by other drivers.

If you’ve suffered spine injuries because of a car accident in New York’s Southern Tier, Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, can help you pursue the compensation you’re entitled to. Our firm is proud to serve Binghamton and the surrounding communities with an emphasis on compassion, dedication, and results. Contact our law firm today for a free consultation with a car accident attorney. Let’s discuss your case together.

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help After a Spinal Cord Injury in a Motor Vehicle Accident?

Spinal injuries are incredibly complex and challenging. They often require extensive treatment. If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury in an automobile collision, you’re going to need a lot of help. Fortunately, a skilled car accident lawyer can help with every aspect of your claim, including:

• Investigating the auto accident, interviewing eyewitnesses, and reviewing police reports and medical records to determine who’s to blame
• Calculating the fair value of your case and pursuing maximum compensation on your behalf
• Helping you file a claim with your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage and a third-party claim
• Negotiating with the insurance company for a settlement that covers all your expenses
• Representing you in court if a trial becomes the best way to get every dollar you deserve

Scott C. Gottlieb is focused solely on personal injury cases. When we take your case, we commit to doing everything we can for you. We have a long history of obtaining large settlements and jury awards for car accident victims and a reputation for going above and beyond to help our clients. 

We will even help you solve problems outside the immediate scope of your case, such as:

• Coordinating with your doctors and following up after appointments to get the report from the doctor’s office without you needing to tell us
• Handling every aspect of your claim, from seeking no-fault benefits in car accidents to filing property damage claims on your behalf
• Dealing with any complications involving medical expenses, mileage, lost wages, and other expenses

We offer a free consultation so you can tell us all about the accident and help us get started on our investigation.

Why Are Spinal Cord Injuries Common in Car Accidents?

The average car weighs 3,300 pounds. Trucks and SUVs weigh even more. In a motor vehicle accident, the impact of all this weight crashing together is more than the spine can absorb. Consequently, the spinal cord may be compressed, fractured, twisted, or crushed by the force of impact.

Common Spinal Cord Injuries from Car Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents can result in spinal trauma and serious injuries. Common spinal injuries from car accidents include: 

• Whiplash – Whiplash is the stretching of muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck when the head is thrown violently back and forth by an impact. It causes pain in the neck and reduces your range of motion.
• Herniated discs – A herniated disc occurs when the gel that cushions your spinal discs is forced out through a hole in the disc tissue opened by an impact, putting pressure on surrounding tissues and nerves. When the spinal disc pushes out from the protective gel, it causes shooting, radiating pain, numbness, and weakness in the injury site.
• Spinal stenosis – This is a condition in which the spinal canal narrows, compressing the spinal cord or nerve roots. It can cause weakness, numbness, pain, and some difficulty walking.
• Spinal cord damage – This is an injury to the nerves inside the spinal column. Spinal cord injuries can cause low blood pressure, weakness, breathing problems, and loss of control over the extremities. In extreme cases, spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis.
• Spinal fractures – Fractured vertebrae in the lumbar spine, cervical spine, or thoracic vertebrae cause numbness, weakness, tingling, and difficulty moving. When severe, it can lead to paralysis.
• Facet joint injuries – Injuries to the facet joints affect the joints that connect the vertebrae, causing pain and loss of mobility.

If you suffered a traumatic spinal injury from a car accident, an experienced personal injury lawyer can fight for the justice and accountability you deserve.

Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries from traffic accidents are often associated with the following symptoms:

• Numb or tingling arms, legs, fingers, or toes
• Difficulty walking
• Trouble with bowel or bladder control
• Severe, recurring headaches
• Sensations of shooting pain in the arms, legs, back, or neck

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms after a car accident, seek medical attention immediately. If left untreated, spinal cord injuries can result in paralysis. 

Medical Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries

Medical treatment for spinal cord injuries can include:

• Corticosteroid injections to treat inflammation and swelling
• Pregabalin to treat nerve pain
• Surgery to remove foreign objects, disc fragments, or bone fragments
• Insertion of rods, screws, or spinal braces
• Surgery to remove excess blood, tissue, or fluid
• Physical therapy to regain muscle and control

Of course, these interventions can be costly. If another driver caused your injuries, you shouldn’t have to pay for these costly medical treatments yourself. Instead, you could be entitled to pursue compensation for your expenses under New York law.

What Can Your Spinal Injury Car Accident Settlement Include?

Cervical vertebrae injuries and other spinal injuries from traffic accidents can cause chronic pain and severe damage to the spine that prevents victims from ever working again. Personal injury claims for these serious injuries can include compensation for:

• Medical expenses, including rehabilitation and ongoing nursing care
• Lost wages and lost future earning capacity
• Modifications to your home, such as the installation of a ramp
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life 
• Emotional distress
• Disfigurement

If you suffered a spine injury in a motor vehicle collision, Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, can help pursue all the compensation you are entitled to.

Contact Our Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Today

If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident in the Southern Tier of New York, a skilled personal injury attorney can help you pursue maximum compensation for your losses. Scott C. Gottlieb, Injury Law Attorney, has extensive experience with spinal cord injuries and a long history of winning significant settlements and jury awards for his clients. He can handle every aspect of the case for you so that you can focus on resting and recovering. Contact his offices today to speak with a spinal cord injury lawyer in Binghamton, and let our firm fight to get you the money you need during this challenging time.