Did a car crash leave you with spinal cord injuries?

A car crash can leave you with a variety of injuries. One of these is an injury to the spine. In fact, according to World Health Organization (WHO) , car accidents are one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries in the United States.

Depending on the severity, an injury to the spine can turn your life upside down. And the resulting medical and long-term care costs can take a huge toll on your finances. If you injure your spine in a car crash that is not your fault, New Mexico negligence laws allow you to pursue the liable party for damages. But how exactly do these injuries happen?

Understanding spinal cord injuries

Generally, a spinal cord injury refers to any trauma to the spine that results in diminished mobility or function below the injured area. Here are two common types of spinal cord that you can sustain during a car crash:

Herniated discs – Also known as bulged, ruptured or slipped discs, herniated discs happen when one or more discs along your spine are torn during impact leading to a leakage of the fluid that protects the actual spinal cord.

Whiplash – this is a form of soft tissue injury that happens when the head is violently jerked back and forth during the impact. Whiplash can result in damage to the ligaments, muscles and tendons around the neck, thus, restricting your mobility.

So how do you know you have hurt your spine in the crash?

Depending on the location and severity, an injury to the spine carries a variety of symptoms. Here are some of them:

• Paralysis or loss of mobility
• Muscles spasms
• Loss of sensation in the body’s extremities
• Uncontrolled bowel movement

Not many accident-related injuries are as devastating as injuries to the spine. If negligence was a factor in your spinal cord injuries, you deserve justice. Learning more about Mew Mexico car accident laws can help you safeguard your rights and interests while pursuing the liable party for damages.