What are your chances of experiencing spinal injury because of another driver’s negligence? Unfortunately, fairly high. Car accidents are the most common cause of personal injury cases, and according to SpinalCord.com, car accidents are also the leading cause of spinal injuries. Over one-third of the 12,500 annual spinal cord injuries in the U.S. are caused by car accidents. As a driver in Jackson, MS, it’s important to know your risk of spinal injury, the related symptoms, and the solutions available to you if you are injured.

Time is of the Essence

Not only can spinal injuries lead to serious long-term damage, but spinal injuries are especially dangerous because they might not be detected right away. The Mayo Clinic says that the time between injury and treatment is critical in determining the extent and severity of complications and in increasing chances of recovery. If you’ve been in a car accident – even if you think you’re unharmed – you should have a medical expert examine you for spinal injuries immediately.

The Mayo Clinic warns that if spinal injuries are left untreated they can result in even worse injuries. Spinal injuries can lead to permanent changes in strength, sensation and other body functions below the site of the injury.

Signs and Symptoms of Spinal Injuries

If doctors aren’t targeting your back and spine in an examination, spinal injuries might go undetected at first. After an accident, it’s important to watch out for the signs of possible spinal injury. According to Health Direct, common symptoms of back injury include:

• pain or tenderness (sore to touch)
• pain that worsens with movement, coughing, sneezing or laughing
• stiffness or difficulty moving
• difficulty standing up straight
• muscles in spasm on either side of the spine
• bruising
• swelling
• pain that radiates down one or both legs

The most serious kinds of spinal injury can be detected by the symptoms listed below. If you or a loved one are experiencing the following symptoms you should seek medical attention immediately!

• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• numbness or pins and needles to the arms, legs, hands or feet
• paralysis
• blood in the urine

Justice for Your Spinal Injury

Far beyond your physical health and wellbeing, a spinal injury can impact you in countless ways – including your mental and emotional health, your family life, your social life, your professional opportunities, and more. To say the very least, you could be facing exorbitant medical bills for your treatments. If you’ve been injured in the Jackson, MS area or have any indication that you might be the victim of a spinal injury due to someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to significant compensation. The personal injury attorneys at The Heilman Law Group are highly experienced in car accident and spinal injury cases, and we’re ready to fight on your behalf too! Get started by calling 601-914-1025 or by contacting us online.

Heilman Law Group, PA
Jackson Office
4266 I-55 North, Suite 106
Jackson, Mississippi 39211
Phone: 601-914-1025
Fax: 601-960-4200