Your life can change in the blink of an eye if you’re involved in a Kentucky truck accident. Learn about the different back, neck and spinal cord injuries you may suffer if involved in a crash, the damages you may recover, and how our experienced Louisville truck accident lawyers can help you.
Truck Accident Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are among the most serious injuries you may suffer in a truck crash, but not all spinal cord injuries are the same. Your doctor will diagnose your spinal cord injury after conducting imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. Some of the spinal cord injuries that you may suffer in a truck wreck include:
- High cervical (C1-C4). Injuries to the highest part of the spine are the most severe type of spinal cord injury. You may suffer tetraplegia or quadriplegia and be unable to cough, breathe, speak, eat, or move without assistance.
- Low cervical (C5-C8). Low cervical spine injuries may allow you to speak and breathe independently, but your arms, hands, abdomen, pelvis, and legs may all be affected by your injuries.
- High thoracic (T1-T5). An injury to this area of the spinal cord typically results in paraplegia. You may have use of your arms and hands, and you may be able to breathe independently. However, your abdominal muscles, pelvic organs, lower back, and legs may not function normally.
- Low thoracic (T6-T12). This mid-spine injury impacts the abdomen and all points below the injury. You may be able to cough productively, swallow, and be able to control your trunk while seated.
- Lumbar (L1-L5). Injuries to the lumbar spine, or lower back, usually cause a partial loss of function in the hips or legs. Depending on your specific injury, you may be able to walk with braces or require a wheelchair. You may also have little or no bladder control.
- Sacral (S1-S5). This part of the spine is located below the lumbar spine and above the tailbone. You may be able to walk with a sacral nerve injury, but you may experience pain or loss of function in your hips, legs, or pelvic organs.
Currently, complete spinal cord injuries are irreversible. Your medical treatment will focus on preventing your injury from worsening, preventing secondary injuries, and maintaining your quality of life, to the extent possible. To that end, you may require medications, hospitalizations, surgeries, physical therapy, occupational therapy, other rehabilitation therapies, and assistive medical devices.
Other Types of Back and Neck Injuries
According to our Louisville truck accident lawyers, the force of a truck accident collision may also cause other back and neck injuries, such as:
- Whiplash. The force of a truck wreck may cause the joints between the vertebrae, discs, ligaments, muscles, or nerves to hyperextend. When this happens, you may experience significant pain and loss of motion in your neck. Whiplash is diagnosed by physical examination, but imaging tests may be required to rule out other injuries. Treatment typically includes rest, medication, and physical therapy.
- Lower back strains and sprains. A truck crash may injure the lumbar spine. A sprain may occur if the ligaments in the lumbar spine are damaged. Strains are caused by stretching of the ligaments, tendons, or muscles. Both sprains and strains may significantly limit your daily activities. Most sprains and strains are diagnosed by physical examination and ruling out other causes of back pain. Doctors often recommend rest and medication to treat lower back strains and sprains.
- Herniated discs. During a truck crash, the discs between the spinal vertebrae may become dislodged or out of place. Without the soft cushioning of the disc, pressure is put on the spinal cord and nerves. You may experience significant pain or numbness. Herniated discs can usually be diagnosed by physical examination but may require imaging tests in some cases. Most herniated disc injuries are treated with medication and rest. However, some people may need physical therapy or surgery.
- Compression fractures. The vertebrae in the spine may break during a truck accident and result in very painful injuries. In some cases, a physical examination may be all that is needed to diagnose a compression fracture, but in other cases, imaging tests are required. After a compression fracture diagnosis, treatment may include medication, bracing, rest, and surgery.
Some of these injuries may result in chronic back pain and nerve damage from which you never fully recover.
What You May Recover in a Kentucky Truck Accident Lawsuit
Back, neck & spincal cord injuries may change your life, and you deserve to make a full and fair recovery for all of your past and future damages. Our Louisville truck accident lawyers can help you collect compensation for:
- Medical costs such as hospitalizations, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, wheelchairs, and other assistive medical devices
- Lost income for any money or work benefits you can’t earn because of your injury
- Pain and suffering for your physical pain and emotional suffering, including your loss of enjoyment of life
- Out-of-pocket expenses for things like household help, transportation, and other expenses you incur because of your injury
Your recovery will depend on things such as your age, life expectancy, occupation, and the severity of your injury, all of which will be discussed during your free consultation with our Louisville truck accident lawyers.
Our Experienced Louisville Truck Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help You
You have a lot at stake. The financial costs of a serious back, neck, or spinal injury could be millions of dollars. Our experienced Louisville truck accident lawyers will fight for your full and fair recovery. We want to help you secure your future.
You have a limited amount of time to file a truck accident lawsuit in Kentucky. Accordingly, we encourage you to contact Gray and White Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation about your potential truck accident case. Our lawyers and staff nurse will treat you like family. Call us today to learn more about your rights, possible recovery, and our No-Fee Policy.
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