Car accidents can pose serious risks to health. And anyone driving or riding in a car is at risk of spinal injury if they have a sudden impact. Virginia residents should be aware of the symptoms of a spinal cord injury. That way, if they’re involved in an accident, they may understand when it’s important to seek extra medical help.
Types of spinal cord injuries
The spine is long and delicate. It travels all the way from the neck through the back. Injuries can be minor or severe, and they can have big or small effects on the way the injured party functions. There are a few different ways that the medical field classifies spinal cord injuries, but one is based on severity.
A complete spinal cord injury, or SCI, means the loss of all feeling and function below that injury. For example, if someone’s spine is completely injured at the neck, they may no longer be able to feel or use their arms. If it happens in the waist region, feeling and function would only be lost in the lower trunk and extremities.
Incomplete spinal injuries are different. The injured party still retains some function. At times, this may be unbalanced. For example, they may be able to use one arm more than another. A lot depends on where the injury occurs and how treatable it is.
Spinal concussions are another class of injury. These are due to heavy impacts from things like impacts in car accidents. They can result in symptoms like numbness and tingling. If you or a loved one has any of these symptoms after a car accident, it’s prudent to contact an attorney. A lawyer may help you understand if you could collect damages related to the incident and your injuries.