While you never want to suffer any type of injury in a motor vehicle accident, some are more serious than others. A spinal cord injury has a way of changing your life forever, as this can lead to paralysis among a variety of other concerns.
Common symptoms of spinal injuries
Here are some of the emergency signs and symptoms of a spinal cord injury:
- Impaired breathing after the accident
- Extreme pressure in your neck, back or head
- Extreme pain in your neck, back or head
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Tingling or loss of sensation in your toes, feet, fingers or hands
- Difficulty walking or balancing
You will have a lot going through your mind after a motor vehicle accident, but it’s imperative that you pay close attention to your body and what’s going on. If you have reason to believe you are dealing with an injury, especially one that is serious, you have to receive immediate medical attention.
What to do next
There is no way of knowing for sure if you have a spinal cord injury until you consult with an experienced medical professional. This is why you should call 911 immediately following your accident.
Make sure not to move from your vehicle if you believe you have suffered a spinal cord injury. It’s best to stay where you are, wait for help, and then follow the direction of your medical team. Once you receive treatment and know what the future will bring, you can then turn your attention to the accident itself.
If you come to find that another person was responsible for the crash, maybe because he or she was texting and driving, you need to learn more about your legal rights. Receiving compensation can make it much easier to deal with the aftermath of your spinal cord injury.
