Many people’s first reaction after a car crash is to check themselves for signs of injury. Sometimes, injuries are obvious. People bleed heavily or have intense pain. The worst injuries can render people unconscious or leave them unable to move.
A spinal cord injury can potentially cause immediate paralysis. People lose all sensation below the location of the injury. They also lose motor function, meaning they cannot walk or even get themselves out of the vehicle after a crash. It is common for people to assume that severe car crash injuries are easy to identify and diagnose.
However, some people have delayed symptom onset or less severe injuries than others. In some cases, people with spinal cord injuries might actually walk away from the scene of a crash.
Not all spinal cord injuries are complete
A complete spinal cord severs the spinal cord. Such injuries cause immediate and permanent functional limitations. It is also possible for people to sustain incomplete spinal cord injuries in a car crash. The trauma of the collision can pinch, tear or compress the spinal cord.
People may notice pain, tingling or a loss of strength in their lower extremities. Other times, the physical stress response that follows a crash might completely cover those early symptoms. Incomplete spinal cord injuries can be dangerous specifically because people don’t notice them.
The injured person may fail to seek out medical care. They are then at risk of causing secondary trauma that may worsen the spinal cord injury. Sleeping in the wrong position, overexertion at the gym and manual labor at work could all potentially worsen an incomplete spinal cord injury and lead to permanent paralysis.
Even if people avoid worsening their injuries, they may start to notice functional limitations caused by an incomplete spinal cord injury. They may have pain or issues with motor control. Spinal cord injuries often generate tens of thousands of dollars worth of medical expenses. They can also reduce people’s earning potential and affect their independent living ability.
Seeking compensation for spinal cord injuries after a car crash may require more than just an insurance claim. Those who receive proper treatment and diagnosis quickly after a collision may have an easier time preventing the injury from worsening and getting the compensation they deserve.