Omaha Personal-Injury Attorney Explains 4 Common Spinal Injuries in Car Accidents
A spinal injury can affect every aspect of a person’s life. It can influence your career and relationships while dramatically altering your day-to-day routine.
According to Mayo Clinic, car accidents are responsible for more than 35 percent of all spinal cord injuries in the United States. The spine is particularly vulnerable when people do not wear seatbelts.
If you or a loved one suffered a spine injury in a car accident, contact Rensch & Rensch Law. An accident lawyer in Omaha can evaluate your crash to determine if you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and lost income. Our attorneys have more than 45 years of combined legal experience.
Call 1-800-471-4100 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit accident.usattorneys.com/ to learn more about injury lawsuits.
Here are four spinal injuries that are common in car accidents:
- Spinal Fractures
According to Disabled World, spinal fractures are common in the lower and middle areas of the back. If you only use a lap belt to secure your lower body, the impact of a crash can throw your upper body forward. This can pull vertebrae apart and stretch or sever the spinal cord. Symptoms of a spinal fracture include:
- Tingling;
- Numbness;
- Loss of bladder and bowel control;
- And weakness.
If you notice these symptoms, do not move. Movement can worsen the injury and cause immense pain. Instead, wait for paramedics to arrive. They will use a neck collar and backboard to stabilize your spine.
- Spondylolisthesis
A stress fracture can force a vertebra out of its position, disorientating the bone. This is a potentially serious condition called spondylolisthesis.
The misplaced bone will narrow the spinal cord and pinch nerves, which can cause extensive numbness and pain. Walking may be difficult, and you might have less feeling in the buttock or leg.
- Whiplash
Rear-end collisions are responsible for most cases of whiplash, but any impact that forces your head to snap back and forth can cause this painful injury. The headrest typically prevents this movement in a front-end crash. If you suffer whiplash, you will notice some of these signs within 24 hours:
- Pain and stiffness in the neck;
- Headaches at the skull’s base;
- Exhaustion;
- Blurry vision;
- Memory loss;
- Dizziness;
- Concentration difficulty;
- Tinnitus;
- Sleep problems;
- And irritability.
- Herniated Disc
Herniated discs are common in car crashes. Discs are the spine’s shock absorbers, and if there is even a small crack on one of them, the soft center may leak out. This can damage surrounding nerves. Victims may notice pain in the legs or arms, tingling, numbness and weakness in affected areas.
If you suffered a spinal injury due to a negligent driver, contact Rensch & Rensch Law. A personal-injury attorney in Omaha can represent your interests during negotiations and fight for the compensation you deserve. Our lawyers have litigated more than 100 jury trials, and if we do not win, you do not pay attorneys’ fees. Call 1-800-471-4100 to schedule a consultation.
