If you recently got into a car accident, spine injury is a very real concern. The forces involved in a motor vehicle accident at only moderate speeds are easily enough to damage the various structures that comprise the spine.
In fact, car accidents are responsible for nearly 40% of all spinal cord injuries. However, not all back and spine injuries are immediately apparent, and it is crucial you visit a doctor as soon as possible.
At the Tenge Law Firm, we have experience with serious personal injury cases, including those involving spine injuries.
Since 1992, our Colorado personal injury lawyers have helped countless clients obtain the compensation they need to begin moving on with their lives after a car accident spine injury.
If you have questions or need immediate assistance, please contact us online or call (303) 665-2929 for a free consultation.
The Structure of the Spine
The spine consists of 33 small, interlocking bones, called vertebrae. Each vertebra has a small hole through the center, which allows the spinal cord to travel from the base of the neck to the lower back.
The spinal cord is responsible for sending nerve signals from the brain to the other parts of the body.
In between the vertebrae are cushion-like discs. These discs help hold the vertebrae together and act as shock absorbers as we go about our everyday life.
Common Spine Injuries Stemming from Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents involve a tremendous amount of force, which can cause irreparable damage to the vertebrae, the vertebral discs, and the spinal cord.
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, accident victims suffering from a spine injury spend, on average, 11 days in the hospital.
Additionally, accident victims then require an average of 31 days in a rehabilitation center.
Some of the most common car accident spine injuries include:
- Whiplash,
- Herniated discs,
- Vertebral fractures,
- Soft tissue damage, and
- Spinal cord injuries.
The most serious spine injuries involve damage to the spinal cord. A spinal cord injury can carry lifelong consequences for accident victims.
In some cases, spinal cord injuries cause temporary or permanent paralysis, including:
- Monoplegia—paralysis that affects one limb;
- Hemiplegia—paralysis that affects one side of the body;
- Diplegia—paralysis that affects two limbs on the same side of the body;
- Paraplegia—paralysis that affects both legs or the lower part of the body; and
- Quadriplegia (tetraplegia)—paralysis that affects both the arms and legs or the whole body from the neck down.
Those experiencing the symptoms of a spine injury after a Colorado car accident should reach out to a dedicated personal injury attorney to discuss their case.
Have You Suffered Serious Back or Spine Injuries Following a Car Accident?
If you or a loved one was recently involved in a car accident and now suffers from back or spine injuries, you may be entitled to monetary compensation from the at-fault driver.
At the Tenge Law Firm, our attorneys have earned a reputation for providing injury victims with aggressive, diligent, and thorough representation.
Over the past seven years alone, we’ve recovered more than $50 million on behalf of our clients and their families.
To learn more about the services we provide, give us a call today. We have offices in Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins.
You can also reach us through our online contact form. Your initial consultation is free, and because we accept all spine injury cases on a contingency basis, we won’t charge you for our services unless you recover from your injuries.