Spinal cord injuries are among the most feared traumatic injuries that people can develop. Car crashes are one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries. The intense force of a collision can damage or even sever the spinal cord.
Whether someone has a complete or incomplete injury, they can expect major medical and financial setbacks after they get hurt. There are many risks directly related to a spinal cord injury that occurs during a car crash, including the following.
The possibility of worsening the injury
Emergency medical care and careful transportation are typically necessary to protect someone with a potential spinal cord injury after a crash. Emergency medical professionals usually inquire about whether someone hurt their back, neck or head in a crash. Those who affirm that they may have often require restraint and stabilization during their transportation to the hospital.
Those seemingly aggressive responses by first responders help prevent the possibility of worsening an injury. An incomplete spinal cord injury can become a complete injury if abrupt motions or secondary traumas occur after the initial injury. Someone who may have still had limited motor function and sensation could lose that in an instant if they don’t receive the right care as soon as possible.
The likelihood of financial challenges
Spinal cord injuries are catastrophic not just because of the physical consequences they cause but also because of the financial impact they have. The cost to treat a spinal cord injury often reaches six or seven figures immediately after the trauma. People may then have tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional expenses every year for the rest of their lives.
Given that many drivers in California only have $15,000 in bodily injury liability protection, those was spinal cord injuries can’t necessarily count on insurance to take care of them. The only way to recover their medical expenses, lost earning potential and secondary financial losses is to pursue a personal injury lawsuit in the California civil courts.
Those aware of the risks related to car crash spinal cord injuries can mitigate some of those risks after a collision. Properly communicating with first responders and knowing about the right to compensation can be beneficial for those who develop serious injuries because of a wreck.