There are plenty of different kinds of injuries that a person could suffer from in an auto accident. Among them are spinal and spinal cord injuries, both of which can lead to serious pain, dysfunction and other complications.
When you’re in a crash, your priority should be to seek medical attention as soon as you can. Why? Spinal and spinal cord injuries both tend to heal better with early treatment. Whether the discs are unstable or you have pressure on your spinal cord, getting early treatment can help stabilize and correct the damage.
Complications could arise without rapid treatment
There is a risk that you could have complications from spinal column or spinal cord injuries. For example, if the spinal column is fractured or crushed in one area, you could have pressure on your spinal cord. That pressure could lead to paralysis or partial paralysis.
In the early stages, there may be steps that can be taken to prevent these issues from becoming permanent, but later, you could end up with long-term, chronic pain or paralysis.
What are the signs that you need to see a medical provider?
It’s important to see a doctor any time you’ve been involved in an auto collision. The reason for this is because many people don’t realize how badly they’ve been hurt until the body’s hormones and chemicals balance again and the swelling and inflammation sets in.
If you have symptoms such as these, call 911 and wait for an ambulance to take you to the hospital:
- Trouble with balance or walking.
- Numbness or tingling.
- Incoordination or paralysis.
- Loss of bowel or bladder control.
- Trouble breathing.
Seeing a medical provider as soon as you can will make sure you get diagnosed and begin on the right treatments. If you need surgery, you’ll be scheduled or taken back for it immediately, depending on the issue.
Remember, spinal cord and spinal column issues can be life-altering. Get the treatment you need as soon as you can, and then look into making a claim to get the cost of your care covered by the at-fault driver.
