The spine works like a superhighway to send messages between the brain and the rest of the body. When that communication line gets damaged, the body can’t respond as it should. Depending on the injury’s severity and location, that disruption’s effects can ripple through every part of your life.
If you or a loved one suffered spinal cord damage in an accident, it’s vital to learn more about the scope and impact of these serious injuries.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Not all spinal injuries come from major accidents. Sometimes, a relatively minor situation causes a person to land incorrectly enough to injure the spinal cord.
Some of the most common causes in Virginia include:
- Car Crashes: Sudden impact, seat belt strain, vehicle rollover, or any scenario that compresses or severs the spine
- Falls: Especially for older adults and young children, whose bones and back muscles may not be as strong as those of the average adult
- Sports Injuries: Contact sports, diving accidents, and high-impact activities
- Violence: Gunshots, stabbings, and physical blows
- Workplace Accidents: Particularly at construction sites and in industrial environments, where risk is higher due to the use of heavy machinery and the possibility of falling
What ties these events together is that the speed at which they happen can change everything. In a moment, you can sustain an injury that leaves you facing years of recovery and a future you didn’t plan for.
Types of Spinal Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are generally divided into two categories: complete and incomplete. Complete means there is no function below the injury—there is no movement or sensation. Everything below where the injury occurred is shut down.
With incomplete injuries, there’s still some communication between the brain and body. The level of function varies, but you have a chance for some recovery with the proper medical treatment.
The spine is divided into four main sections:
- Cervical, or neck
- Thoracic, or upper back
- Lumbar, or lower back
- Sacral, or pelvis
Injuries higher up, like the neck and upper back, tend to be the most severe. These can affect both arms and legs to cause a condition called quadriplegia. Lower injuries might only affect the legs, resulting in paraplegia.
The Emotional and Financial Toll
The physical challenges with spinal damage are clear, but the emotional impact can also be substantial and is often overlooked. Being unable to walk, drive, or even use the bathroom without help chips away at your sense of control. People with a spinal injury often deal with depression, anxiety, frustration, and isolation when they lose their independence.
Additionally, medical bills pile up fast. Rehab, wheelchairs, home modifications, medications, and personal care aren’t one-time costs. They can stretch on for years and might become a permanent change. On top of that, many people can’t return to their professions. And sometimes, some cannot return to work at all.
That kind of pressure doesn’t just affect the one who was injured. It also changes daily life for their entire family.
Long-Term Medical Needs
Spinal trauma doesn’t end when the patient leaves the hospital. In fact, that’s often just the beginning. Recovery can take years, and in some cases, full recovery isn’t possible.
Here’s what many people face in the long term:
- Rehabilitation: Physical and occupational therapy to regain strength and relearn tasks
- Assistive Devices: Wheelchairs, motorized scooters, voice-activated technology, and home lifts
- Personal Care: Help with bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, getting out of bed, and other daily activities
- Medical Monitoring: Ongoing care for secondary issues like pressure sores, infections, muscle spasms, or breathing difficulties
Recovery looks different for everyone. Some people regain function with time and therapy, while others find ways to adjust to a new normal.
It’s rarely a straight path, but many build strength and return to the activities they love.
Compensation for Accident Victims in Virginia
If someone else’s negligence caused the accident that led to your injury, you have the right to file for financial compensation and recover for damages.
Besides covering the costs for your hospital bills, a claim helps recognize the full impact of what you’ve lost and what it’ll take to rebuild your life.
Compensation might cover the following:
- Medical expenses, both past and future
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Long-term care costs
Getting full and fair payment isn’t automatic, though. Insurance companies often try to settle quickly before the full scope of your injuries is clear, and they’ll even look for ways to deny your case.
It’s important to understand your rights and fight for what you’re entitled to, which you can do with the help of a skilled lawyer.
Contact the Fairfax Personal Injury Attorneys at The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm for a Free Consultation
If you or someone you love is living with a spinal cord injury because of someone else’s actions, the road ahead may feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to carry that weight on your own. Our experienced team has recovered over $60 million for accident victims throughout Virginia.
Contact The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm at (571) 200-5424 today to discuss your options with a Fairfax personal injury attorney from our trusted team. Call us today.
