When most people think about rear-end collisions, they often imagine a minor fender bender without realizing these accidents can have devastating consequences. Many people wrongly assume that rear-end collisions are easy to walk away from. However, when rear-end collisions occur at high speeds, they can result in catastrophic and potentially life-altering injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rear-end collisions make up nearly 30% of all traffic accidents annually. In many cases, the brute force of a crash can result in injuries that impact your physical capabilities throughout the remainder of your lifetime. Therefore, if you’ve been injured in a rear-end collision due to another driver’s negligence, it’s in your best interest to enlist the help of a compassionate New York City Car Accident Attorney who can help you fight for the justice you deserve. Please continue reading to learn how a rear-end collision can cause spinal cord damage.
How Does a Rear-End Collision Impact Your Spine?
Rear-end collisions are among the most dangerous types of auto accidents. They tend to be more dangerous for the rear-ended driver than the rear driver who hits them. When a vehicle is forcefully hit from behind, it causes the body to be violently jolted forward. After the forward thrust, the body then rapidly thrusts backward. This force of impact and violent motion can cause severe damage to the spinal cord. In some cases, it can damage the bones and disks in the back, putting pressure on the nerve system of the spinal cord. The following includes the most common types of injuries that arise from a rear-end collision:
- Whiplash
- Herniated disk
- Vertebral fractures
- Paralysis
It’s crucial to understand that the spinal cord is the body’s central nervous system, meaning it is responsible for sending messages from the brain to the entire body. A rear-end collision can disrupt the health functioning of this critical body system. Injury to the nerves of the spinal cord can result in permanent paralysis from the neck or waist down. If a victim is lucky, they may restore the health of their central nervous system over time. However, in most cases, the damage is permanent. Permanent impairments from spinal cord injuries are classified as:
- Quadriplegia (tetraplegia): This is the term used for a spinal cord injury that results in paralysis from the neck down, affecting all four limbs.
- Paraplegia: This is the term used for a spinal cord injury that results in paralysis from the waist down, affecting the legs and lower body.
- Monoplegia: This is the term used for a spinal cord injury where a single limb is affected.
- Hemiplegia: This is the term used for a spinal cord injury that results in the paralysis of one side of the body.
As you can see, the long-term impact of a spinal cord injury can be devastating. If you were rear-ended and suffered spinal cord damage, please don’t hesitate to contact an adept New York City accident attorney from Swerling Law, who can help protect your rights and fight for the just compensation you deserve.
