While driving is an efficient way to get around, it can also be dangerous at times. In the U.S., there are over 2 million road traffic collisions every year, with many of them being serious.
One of the most severe injuries a person can suffer during a crash is damage to the spinal cord. The spinal cord plays a pivotal role in signals being sent from your body to the brain and vice versa. Thus, if the spine is damaged, these signals will no longer reach their destinations.
There are two main categories of spinal cord injuries, incomplete injuries and complete injuries. Outlined below are some of the key distinctions between them.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries
While an incomplete spinal cord injury is still very serious, the prognosis is significantly better than for a complete injury. The key distinction between an incomplete and complete injury is that some sensory and motor function will remain below the injured area. With an incomplete injury, it’s also much more likely that the injured party regains a significant amount of the movement and feelings that they had before the accident.
Complete spinal cord injuries
Complete spinal cord injuries cut off motor and sensory sensation to all areas below the injury site. While treatments are always progressing in this area, the damage is usually permanent. Physical therapy and other medical techniques can help the affected party to improve the strength in other areas of their body and develop new strategies for daily living.
A spinal cord injury can be devastating physically, emotionally and financially. By seeking legal guidance, you can at least take care of the latter part of this by obtaining the compensation you deserve.
