A Spinal Cord Injury Can Shatter Your Hopes & Dreams in an Instant

Everything can change in an instant, when you are injured in an Iowa car accident. Your hopes and dreams for the future can be quickly shattered as your life takes a dark turn.

Every year, car accidents account for 40 percent of new spinal cord injury cases in the United States. A spinal cord injury is one of the most devastating injuries, as it can lead to lifelong paralysis. If you or a family member has recently been hurt in an auto accident, you need to be aware of the warning signs and repercussions of this type of injury.

How Do You Know If It is a Spinal Cord Injury?
It doesn’t matter if the accident was minor or serious - you should become familiar with the warning signs of a spinal cord injury. MayoClinic.com reports the following warning signs as possible indicators of spinal cord damage:

  • Paralysis
  • Sensation loss
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control
  • Spasms
  • Muscle tone problems
  • Numbness
  • Major back pain
  • Stinging
  • Respiratory complications

What Exactly Causes a Spinal Cord Injury?
To understand what causes a spinal cord injury, you first have to understand a little about anatomy. The spinal cord extends from the base of your brain down to the area, just above your waist. Your spinal cord consists of nerve cells and groups of nerve tracts that travel throughout the different parts of your body. These tracts are responsible for carrying messages from your brain to the rest of your body resulting in movement and sensations.

In many cases, when your spinal cord is damaged, these signals are no longer able to travel from your brain to the rest of your body. It can leave you paralyzed and unable to feel sensations such as heat, cold, pain and pressure.

Is Compensation Available for a Spinal Cord Injury?
If the other driver caused your spinal cord injury, you may be able to hold that person liable and pursue compensation. An experienced Cedar Rapids injury attorney can review your case to determine its value and whether you should pursue a claim against the other driver.

For a free case evaluation, contact Brady Preston Gronlund PC, at 319-866-9277.