Even if you have just damaged your spinal cord mildly, you may experience great discomfort whether in your neck or other areas of your back. You may have trouble walking, and more. Medical attention should be sought immediately, as that can be the predictor of how well your injury heals in the future. While sports injuries and falls are often the cause of such pain, car accidents are a major reason for these injuries, which can be severe and even life threatening. If you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligence of another driver, seek medical help immediately, and then call an experienced Florida auto accident law firm like Heintz Law

Spinal cord trauma is usually rated from minor to severe, and physicians usually begin by stating whether the spinal cord injury is complete (non-functioning below the location of the injury) or incomplete (damage is partial and there is some level of functionality). Damage occurs in these four areas:

• Cervical spinal cord (C1 to C7)
• Lumbar spinal cord (L1 to L5)
• Thoracic spinal cord (T1 to T12)
• Sacral spinal cord (S1 to S5)

There may also be varying levels of paralysis, from tetraplegia to quadriplegia or paraplegia. The injury is then established according the area affected; for instance, referring to the injury as a C4 injury, and often pointing out levels such as C3 or C4 sensations.

A recent study showed that the lumbosacral area is the area affected most often, and after car accidents, with the car rolling over being ‘the most common mechanism’ of the spinal injury.

“The chance of sustaining serious spine and associated multiple injuries in car accidents is quite high in our today's society,” stated the researchers.

Those who are not paralyzed or who are only partially paralyzed may have a much better chance of getting back to normal eventually, but it cannot be stressed enough how important good medical attention is, and immediately so. Internal bleeding must be assessed and remedied as quickly as possible, along with swelling. Doctors may treat with corticosteroids, or surgery may be required to move vertebrae back into place, eliminate fluid or fragments, or fuse parts of the spine.

Spinal cord injuries affect over 10,000 people each year, often requiring patients to be hospitalized and then undergo physical therapy and seek aftercare which must be long-term in some cases. This is especially debilitating for those who are unable to go back to work either temporarily or permanently.

Have you suffered a spinal cord injury due to the negligence of others? If so, contact the experienced spinal cord and neck injury attorneys at Heintz Law. Our attorneys have helped victims from Bradenton, Sarasota, and all over Florida get compensation for their damages and medical expenses. Call us for a free consultation now at 941-748-2916 or contact us online. We are here to help, and if you cannot come to us, we will come to you.