Knowing Your Options if You have Spinal Cord Injuries Because of a Car Accident

Your spinal cord is a delicate part that transmits nerve signals throughout your body. It controls everything from breathing to movement and body temperature. A spinal cord injury might lead to permanent damage. As a result, you may need to depend on your family or even machines to survive. A spinal cord injury can happen because of different catastrophic accidents including car accidents.

How Spinal Injuries Could Occur in Car Accidents

Spinal cord injuries can happen in a car accident due to defective car component or a strong impact. You can sustain these injuries during vehicle rollovers. When the car collapses, it will make contact with your head, neck, or spine. Also, these injuries can happen when the seatbelt becomes unlatched in an impact. During an accident, suspension defects might force you to lose control or roll over.

Getting Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries

If you suffer a catastrophic spinal cord injury in a car accident, you may get compensation for it. Spinal injuries are expensive to treat. The compensation is meant to compensate you for the monetary losses that the accident has caused. The damages you will receive will help restore you back to the state before the injury. An experienced houston car accident attorney can help you get compensation for medical costs including initial treatments, hospitalizations, surgeries, medical equipment, future treatments, and long-term care costs. You can also get compensation for lost wages including hours missed at work, sick leave taken, hours missed for trial days, and any wages you lose due to the accident. If you end up with a permanent spinal cord injury, you may not be able to return to work. Thus, you may get compensation for loss of earning capacity. Lastly, compensation can also be awarded for your pain and suffering.

Recovering from a Spinal Cord Injury

Your ability to recover from a spinal cord injury depends on factors such as the severity of your injury, other injuries, and how quickly your injury gets treatment. You must get medical treatment quickly to minimize swelling and avoid permanent damage to your spinal cord. There is no cure for a spinal cord injury. Some medications given right after an accident like steroids might minimize swelling and prevent permanent damage.

If you have been in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, you might be eligible for compensation. You need a good attorney to assist you with your case and explore your legal options. 

Paul Petersen