Victims of New Orleans car crashes sometimes face an uphill battle to try to recover from the injuries they suffer. When the injury is catastrophic, such as a spinal cord injury, the victim may face a lifetime of challenges that they wouldn’t have faced if they hadn’t have been struck. 

Typically, a spinal cord injury is noticeable at the scene of a crash. The person may be unable to move, and they might have severe back pain. It’s imperative that anyone who may have a spinal cord injury gets prompt medical care. They must protect the spinal cord by immobilizing the neck and back so further damage to this sensitive area doesn’t occur. 

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are grouped into two categories. One of these is an incomplete injury. The other is a complete injury. An incomplete injury means that there are still nerve pathways intact at the site of the injury. This allows signals to travel to and from the brain. The victim will still have some feeling and ability to move below the level of the injury, but this might be greatly diminished. 

A complete injury means that there aren’t any nerve pathways still intact. It’s impossible for signals to travel to and from the brain, so the person won’t have any movement or sensation below the level of the injury. 

Generally, a person who has an incomplete injury is more likely to have a better recovery than someone with a complete injury. Receiving quick medical care can improve the prognosis. There’s a chance that the effects of the damage might be more pronounced in the first few days of the crash because of spinal shock, which is an inflammation of the damaged area of the spinal cord.

Challenges Spinal Cord Injury Victims Face

The specific challenges a person will face after this type of injury depend on the location and severity of the damage. Injuries that are higher on the spinal cord are typically more serious than those lower on the spinal cord. 

Some of the challenges that a person might face include:

• Paralysis, either partial or full
• Nerve pain below the injury
• Inability to breathe
• Problems with mobility
• Body temperature regulation trouble

A person with a spinal cord injury will likely need extensive care, including help with daily life activities. This can make it difficult for them to live a normal life and it can be very costly to get the assistance they need. 

Seek Compensation for Your Injuries

People who are involved in a car wreck have specific rights under Louisiana law. They can choose to seek compensation for the damages they’ve suffered due to the crash. The damages they may claim include things like lost wages and medical care expenses. Working with a New Orleans car accident lawyer is beneficial because they can guide you through the process of seeking compensation from the liable parties, including the negligent driver. This enables you to focus on healing from your injuries while they handle the legal case.