The violent impact of a motor vehicle crash can lead to significant injuries, one of which is a spinal cord injury. These injuries can lead to major life changes that last a lifetime. This is especially true when the individual is paralyzed.
It’s critical for anyone who suffers a spinal cord injury to understand a few points about these injuries. This may help them, as well as their loved ones, to make decisions about their care.
Complete versus incomplete
Spinal cord injuries are categorized as either complete or incomplete, depending on the severity of the nerve damage at the site of the injury. When the nerves are fully severed, the injury is complete. This means that there isn’t any feeling or ability to move the affected area of the body. These injuries typically aren’t associated with a full recovery from the effects.
An incomplete spinal cord injury occurs when the nerves at the site of the damage are still partially connected. This means the person can likely have some feeling and the ability to move the affected area. These injuries are more likely to have a full recovery than a complete injury.
Victims of spinal cord injuries may need significant and long-term medical care to address the effects of the injury. They may opt to pursue a claim for compensation from the negligent driver who caused the crash. It may behoove them to work with someone who’s familiar with these cases so they can get the case filed as swiftly as possible.