The devastating effects of back and spinal cord injuries are best illustrated by what happened to the actor Christopher Reeve, who went from being “Superman” to being a complete quadriplegic without the ability to even breathe on his own.
Philadelphia Spinal Cord Injuries After an Accident
The spinal cord — which runs from the tailbone up through the back and neck and into the head — is the main “switchboard” for all the movement messages our bodies send and receive. An injury to the spinal cord is always a severe injury because the movement and function of the body is affected. Spinal cord injuries usually result in loss of function, loss of mobility and/or a loss of feeling. Car accidents can cause injuries that range from minor scratches and bruising to life-altering damage to the spinal cord, sometimes leading to paralysis. Spine and back injuries aren’t always immediately obvious, so one of the most important things you should do after a Philadelphia car accident is to visit a medical professional and schedule a follow-up appointment, even if you don’t feel like you are injured.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year, between 250,000 and 500,000 people suffer a spinal cord injury worldwide. Many of these occur due to roadway accidents. If you have damaged your spine in a motorcycle crash, you are not alone.
Whether you have been paralyzed or are suffering from new symptoms, if someone else is responsible for the accident, you may be entitled to compensation. By working with a Philadelphia motorcycle accident spine injury lawyer from the Pearce Law Firm, we can ensure that your case is properly valued and that all of your needs will be covered—both now and in the future. A Philadelphia motorcycle accident spine injury lawyer from the Pearce Law Firm, PC can help you.
Because spine injuries are generally considered some of the most severe types of car accident injuries, it’s also important that you have an experienced Philadelphia spine injury lawyer to help you seek compensation for your medical expenses when someone else was at fault. Our attorneys can assist you throughout this process and ensure your settlement accounts for everything you’ve endured.
Impacts of a Back Injury
As anyone who has ever experienced a back injury will tell you, this type of injury can affect your life for years after the accident happens—and some spine injuries are permanent. It’s very rare for a back injury to not impact other areas of your life, such as not being able to get to and from work for a while. Even if you experience only minor back pain after your accident, you should be aware that what at first seems to be a minor spine injury can become serious and long-term, and may even result in paralysis.
A person can have a neck or back injury that does not affect the spinal cord. Even a broken neck or broken back does not necessarily involve the spinal cord because one can break the bones of the neck and back (which protect the spinal cord) and not injure the cord itself. These kinds of neck and back injuries can heal. However, sometimes a person can develop chronic pain even though the spinal cord was not injured. There are also soft tissue neck and back injuries, which are different than spinal cord injuries. For the most part, spinal cord injuries create permanent damage and never heal . . . although there is always hope.
See Frequently Asked Questions About Severe Injury Cases
The location of the spinal cord injury determines the extent of the damage and loss of function. Usually, the higher up the injury, the more severe the damage. For example, if the spinal cord is injured in the cervical (neck) area, quadriplegia may result (loss of movement of all four limbs). Injuries in the chest area and the lower spine may affect only the legs and result in paraplegia rather than quadriplegia. Complete spinal cord injuries mean there is no feeling and no functioning below the area of injury. Incomplete spinal cord injuries mean there may be some feeling or sensation and one side of the body may be more affected than the other.
In any case, these kinds of injuries are devastating to the individual and his or her family and affect every aspect of life, from sensation, ability to walk, mobility, bowel and bladder control, sexual functioning, digestion, respiratory function and of course basic enjoyment of life.
Identifying a Spine Injury
Although you may not realize your spine has been injured right away, there are signs and symptoms that may indicate there is a problem. Some spine issues are minor, but others, such as paralysis, can change your entire life forever. Keep in mind that every portion of the spine plays a significant role in your life.
Some of the most common symptoms associated with spine injuries after a car accident include the following:
- Headaches and migraines
- Tingling or numbness in the limbs
- Inability to comfortably stand, sit, or lie down
- Aching hips
Other signs that you might have a spine injury include pain while walking, limited mobility, and soreness in your neck and back. Even things like bruising on the back originally thought to be superficial can indicate a more serious injury.
Limitations Caused by Spine Injuries After a Car Accident
Undiagnosed spine injuries are frightening because if left untreated, the injury can worsen, possibly resulting in paralysis or herniated discs. Even performing simple daily activities can exacerbate an injury.
Even if you are technically able to move after your spine injury, you can expect limited mobility to be a necessary component of your recovery. Medication, physical therapy, and even surgery—sometimes taking place years after an accident—can all be part of the healing process. This means that you will likely face time off from work and lost income because of the accident.
The Spine and Central Nervous System
The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord, a bundle of nerves about the width of a finger. This ropey cable carries communication from the brain to the body and back. Surrounding the cord are the vertebrae and protective spinal fluid, which both help to cushion and protect this vital message hub.
Serious Back Injuries After a Motorcycle Accident
In a motorcycle accident, the rider can suffer spinal damage on impact, during a fall, or when hit by crash debris. A back injury can cause the nerve pathways to be cut or compromised, leaving the victim unable to control some body parts and systems, whether voluntary or involuntary. Depending on what part of the spine and how many neurons are damaged, injury or paralysis can occur.
The impact a back injury has depends on which section of the spine was damaged and how badly:
- Cervical Spine – This is the topmost section of the spine. These Injuries affect the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, diaphragm, and the back of the head.
- Thoracic Spine – This segment controls many organs, the chest, parts of the back, and the abdomen. Damage can cause paraplegia, or paralysis of the legs and lower part of the body.
- Lumbar Sacral – These injuries affect parts of the legs, buttocks, internal genitals, lower abdomen, and back.
- Sacral Spine – This is the lowest part of the spine. These injuries affect the external genitals and sexual function, bladder and bowel function, legs, and feet.
Many Types of Common Back Injuries
There are numerous types of back injuries. Some of them start at the neck, while others involve the tailbone. Many back injuries involve fractured vertebrae or even nerve damage. Back injuries usually affect multiple areas of your body—not just your back itself, which is one of the reasons why a back injury is considered such a serious matter.
- Whiplash (the neck is an extension of the spine)
- Broken or chipped vertebrae
- Severed or pinched nerves
- Displaced or herniated discs
- Paralysis, both paraplegia and quadriplegia
No matter what type of back injury you suffer, you will likely have to endure at least a temporary change in your lifestyle while it heals, as well as financial damages such as medical bills and lost income due to time off from work. When you work with a Philadelphia back injury lawyer from our office, we can see to it that your medical needs are met.
Medical Costs of Spine Injuries
Medical treatments for back injuries are expensive, a financial burden that sadly often goes hand-in-hand with the issue of lost wages and income. The entire situation is a bad one for the victim, who has to find a way to make ends meet while simultaneously finding time to recover.
Sometimes litigation is the only answer that will force the party responsible for your spine injury to account for his or her actions. Your Philadelphia back injury lawyer will ensure that all of your expenses and damages are factored into your settlement, thereby allowing you to focus on healing.
Regardless of the precise nature of your back injury, it’s certain to affect your life in some way. Even if you think your injury is minor, it could develop into something much worse. Make sure you have the support and assistance you need to move forward in the best way possible.
How Can a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney Help?
Your spine injury may require surgery, physical therapy, home health aides, and countless specialists to aid in your recovery. Your home may need to be modified to accommodate your injuries and you might need special equipment or transportation.
Not only are all of these things incredibly expensive, you may also be unable to return to work. This makes it imperative to get the best settlement you can and to file a personal injury lawsuit if negotiations don’t work. With our help, you can seek reimbursement for future and past lost wages and other damages. A Philadelphia motorcycle accident spine injury lawyer from our office can explain this process to you in full detail.
Complications of Spine Injuries
Since your nervous system controls so many body parts and systems, damage to the spinal cord can compromise other functions over time. Victims of spine injuries need to watch out for a number of further complications that may occur:
- Spasms and muscle loss
- Compromised circulation, possibly leading to blood clots
- Difficulty breathing
- Bladder and bowel control issues
- Skin numbness, which can lead to burns and sores
- Joint and nerve pain
- Obesity and diabetes due to weight gain and limited mobility
Proving Fault After A Spine Injury Accident
When it comes to holding someone responsible for a back injury, the burden of proof is on the victim. Evidence, testimony, and things like accident reports are all essential to proving what really happened and who was at fault.
This process can be complicated and confusing, and it’s easy to overlook things that will be important later—especially if you are already dealing with the trauma of the accident, your injuries, and the resulting expenses. Although it might seem simple to prove that someone else caused your accident, it usually isn’t so straightforward.
Proving fault after an accident usually requires having a qualified legal team on your side to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. You will likely find yourself up against a number of legal professionals who won’t have your best interests in mind. However, if you have suffered a back injury because of someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to manage the consequences alone. A Philadelphia back injury lawyer from the Pearce Law Firm can help you make sure the right person is held responsible for your back injury.
Hiring an Experienced Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Although an individual can never be adequately compensated for these kinds of losses and disabilities, if someone else was at fault in causing the spinal cord injury, you are entitled to compensation. Damages may include medical bills, medical equipment, loss of income, ongoing care, loss of enjoyment of life, the damages and consequences to family and loved ones, counseling, physical therapy, retraining, pain and suffering, and other damages. It is important to choose an injury attorney who is well experienced with severe injury cases, trials and settlements to be sure you and your family receive all the compensation you deserve.
Before deciding to represent injured people, Philadelphia injury attorney Edith Pearce spent over ten years working as an attorney for an insurance company and defense firm. She knows all the “tricks of the trade” from the other side of the fence and knows how to navigate through the complexities and defenses of insurance companies in order to obtain full and fair compensation for her clients’ injuries, losses, trauma and suffering.
Because spinal injuries can be so severe and affect your life for years to come, it’s important that you make sure the right person is held responsible and compensates you for what’s happened.
However, dealing with your injuries and the aftermath of the accident while simultaneously seeking compensation can make a stressful situation overwhelming. The capable attorneys of the Pearce Law Firm have the experience and determination to enable you to move forward. If you have been in a car accident that caused a spine injury, let us help you seek the justice you deserve.
If you or someone you love has suffered a spinal cord injury in Philadelphia or anywhere near you in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the Pearce Law Firm will work diligently on your behalf to arrive at a timely settlement or proceed to trial to obtain the compensation you deserve. We will do everything within our power to help you through this traumatic time and create as much ease as possible for the rest of your life.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Edith Pearce is a fierce and intelligent lawyer that isn’t afraid to take on the ‘big’ guys, be it a large corporation or the city of Philadelphia. She works hard to fight for your rights and get you just compensation. Having Edie on my side against the city of Philadelphia was like having a friend on my side and she wouldn’t take no for an answer when the city was determined not to settle. We went to trial and won. I was so happy to have Edie on my side and quite happy with the results.”
- Sam (5/5 stars)
Read more of our reviews on Avvo.
