Trauma to the neck or spinal cord can result in disability and permanent damage. In many cases, they are caused by motor vehicle accidents. Whether your neck or spinal cord injury stems from a car crash or any other type of accident, our experienced neck and spinal cord injury lawyers in Oklahoma can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injury is one of the most severe types of personal injury because the spine is our body’s central support structure. The spine is an interconnected complex of bones, muscles, nerves, and ligaments that keep us upright.
Trauma to the spinal cord can lead to catastrophic injuries and disabilities. Damage to the spinal cord can cause:
- Quadriparesis. Partial paralysis or weakness in all four limbs.
- Quadriplegia. Complete paralysis of all four limbs.
- Paraparesis. Partial paralysis of the lower limbs.
- Paraplegia. Complete paralysis of the lower limbs.
- Death
Traumatic spinal cord injuries are caused by a sudden and severe hit to the spine. That is why car accidents are the number one cause of spinal cord injuries in the country.
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SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYSymptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury
Because symptoms of a spinal cord injury are not always immediately visible following an accident or traumatic event, it is critical to seek medical attention as soon as possible. The sooner you start your treatment, the greater your chance of recovery.
Anyone who has been involved in a traumatic incident must watch out for the following symptoms of spinal cord injuries:
- Muscle weakness
- Tingling or numbness in the extremities
- Loss of voluntary muscle movement in the arms or legs
- Muscle spasms
- Breathing difficulties
- Unconsciousness
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Digestive problems
- Loss of bowel and bladder function
Types of Neck Injuries
Often, neck injuries are mistaken for spinal cord injuries. However, neck injuries do not always involve trauma to the spinal cord. The neck is a vital body part that is prone to injuries during traumatic events, including motor vehicle crashes, workplace accidents, slip-and-falls, and others.
The most common types of neck injuries are:
- Whiplash. A person may suffer whiplash when an accident causes their head to move forward and backward in a forceful and rapid motion.
- Herniated disc injury. A person may suffer a herniated disc after a sudden injury that tears a spinal disc and pushes its jelly-like nucleus against its outer ring.
- Sprains and strains, which occur when ligaments in the neck are torn (sprains) or muscles or tendons are torn (strains).
- Pinched nerves. A pinched nerve may occur when the bone, tissue, or tendon pushes against surrounding nerves in the neck.
How to Recover Maximum Compensation After a Neck or Spinal Cord Injury
When you have suffered a debilitating neck or spinal cord injury, recovering maximum compensation for your damages will be a top priority. After all, with tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses alone, you are going to need financial support so you can get through these trying times. Your neck and spinal cord injuries attorney in Oklahoma will carefully analyze the details of your case to determine whether you can file a claim with the insurance company, bring your case to court, or do both.
In many cases, pursuing both insurance and civil claims is vital. This is because insurance settlements do not often cover victims’ damages in full. For example, the insurance company might be willing to cover a portion of your medical bills but only up to the limits of the policyholder’s policy.
If your medical expenses exceed the amount of coverage the defendant purchased, you might have remaining damages the insurance company does not take care of. Thankfully, when you bring your case to trial, you can maximize your restitution so you do not wind up in financial ruin. Any damages the insurance company does not cover can be recouped through your civil lawsuit against the liable party, which means you also have an opportunity to recover compensation for your non-economic damages as well as your economic damages.
Get Help from an Oklahoma Neck and Spinal Cord Injuries Lawyer in Oklahoma Today
If you have suffered a spinal cord or neck injury in an accident in Oklahoma City, do not hesitate to contact an experienced Oklahoma City neck and spinal cord injuries attorney. Our team of personal injury lawyers at the BDIW Law can work with you to discuss your legal options. Call our office or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation today.
