A person who is involved in a motor vehicle crash has to deal with their body being jarred in a violent manner. This can lead to a variety of injuries, including a catastrophic spinal cord injury. For these victims, life becomes an uncertain journey that’s sometimes filled with having to relearn how to do the most basic tasks.
After a crash that leads to a spinal cord injury, the victim will need immediate stabilization and medical care. Being able to receive these quickly can have a direct impact on the outcome, but there are other factors that also have a role in this.
Location of the injury
The location of the injury is one of the most important factors that determines how a spinal cord injury will affect the victim. The effects of the injury are always felt below the place on the spine that’s damaged. Because of this, an injury that’s on the neck will impact the largest area of the body, but an injury to the lower back will have the least.
Severity of the nerve damage
The nerve damage at the site of the injury is a primary factor that directly impacts the victim’s recovery. When the nerves are fully severed, the injury is deemed complete. If there are still nerves that are attached, even partially, the injury is classified as incomplete. An incomplete injury is more likely to have a comprehensive recovery than a complete injury because of the nerve paths that remain connected.
All spinal cord injuries can lead to costly medical needs for the victims. These injuries come at a time when the victim is likely unable to work as they did before, which means they have a reduction or complete loss of income. If the motor vehicle crash was caused by another driver’s negligence, the victim may pursue a compensation claim, which should be done swiftly because of time limits established by law.