As anyone who has ever dealt with a spine injury understands, even a minor spine injury is often a major disruption to everyday living. Unfortunately, spine injuries are one of the frequent auto crash injuries, and in a great number of cases, they carry significant effects that may go on for months, years or even a lifetime.

That is why it is very important speak with your doctors and an accident injury attorney to know your alternatives for physical and economical recovery after a serious accident.

Spinal Cord Injuries

A back injury can take a number of forms, and can fluctuate in severity depending on the nature of the collision. One of the most significant types of back injury occurs when the spinal cord itself is damaged in a car or truck crash. A spine injury that damages the spinal cord disrupts the brain's ability to communicate with the body, and might lead to paralysis and numbness in part or all of the body.

Indications typically appear in the locations of the body that are lower than the point of injury on the spinal cord. This means that a back injury involving the lower back will most likely affect the legs only, while a neck injury or upper back injury involving the spinal cord can cause paralysis and numbness in the arms in addition to the legs.

Disc Injuries

Another regular spine injury among car accident victims is called a slipped disc. This type of spine injury is also referred to as a herniated disc or ruptured disc. The spinal discs are spongy cushions that separate the bones of the spine and guard them from one another. They also help protect the spinal cord and make the spine flexible.

A disc may become harmed or deformed as a result of a vehicle collision. Damaged discs lose their ability to protect the bones and nerves of the spine, leading to pain, numbness or tingling in any part of the body to which an affected nerve travels.

Disc injuries to the lower spine are often related to a condition called sciatica, which can bring about severe and debilitating pain, tingling or numbness in either leg.

Compression Fractures

Compression fractures are an additional kind of spine injury that may result from a automobile crash, especially among seniors. A compression fracture happens when small cracks appear in the vertebrae, which may eventually trigger the bone itself to lose its shape or collapse.

A compression fracture may cause permanent changes to the shape and structure of the spine. As a result, this sort of back injury can lead to posture changes along with pain and breathing complications.

The Financial Consequences of a Spine Injury

The financial effects of a spine injury can also be severe. Spine injuries generally demand costly medical treatment, regularly including hospitalization, rehabilitation and ongoing follow-up care. At the same time, a spine injury is prone to interfere with the injured individual's capability to work, and they could experience lost income as a result.

Additionally, a person who has suffered a spine injury may face additional expenses as a result of having to hire someone to complete ordinary household jobs like yard work or laundry, which they otherwise would have done themselves.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Spine Injury

If you have suffered a back injury as the result of a car accident, you have the opportunity of seeking compensation in court from the individual who caused the crash. If you choose to go to court, a Virginia back injury lawyer can advocate on your behalf and help you in seeking damages.

If your back injury lawsuit is successful, the court will most likely give you compensatory damages. This is a dollar amount that is calculated to reimburse you for your out-of-pocket fees, such as medical payments and lost income, as well as your non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering.

In certain scenarios, punitive damages may be available in addition to compensatory damages. In a spine injury lawsuit, these damages are normally limited to situations where the individual who brought about the crash was acting recklessly or irresponsibly.

Make contact with a Virginia Spine Injury Attorney as Quickly as Possible

In case you or somebody you love has suffered a spine injury as a result of an accident, it is very important speak with a Virginia back injury attorney right away. There's a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Virginia, which means that you need to file a lawsuit inside of two years after the date that your spine injury took place.

While a financial settlement may never entirely make up for a serious spine injury, it can help to provide the tools you need to start your recovery. A Virginia spine injury lawyer will help you ascertain whether a car accident injury lawsuit could be right for you, and can fight to help you acquire compensation for your back injury.

Attorney James Garrett is a personal injury attorney in Virginia Beach. He is the founding member of Garrett Law Group, PLC.

If you have questions regarding personal injury law in Virginia, or to discuss your case, please make contact with him at (757) 422-4646.

Author's Bio: 

James Garret is the founding member of Garrett Law Group, PLC in Hampton Roads, VA. His firm staffs attorneys for criminal defense, lawyers for traffic tickets, family law attorneys, and accident injury lawyers.

Virginia Beach Injury Lawyer