Getting into a car accident is something that you can’t really be prepared for. You may be driving peacefully on your way to work, and the next your whole life might be permanently changed.
A motor vehicle accident can change your life in an instant and can leave you traumatized with physical, emotional, and financial burdens. One of the most devastating and long lasting injuries you may receive from a car accident is a spinal injury.
The spine is a complex and extremely necessary part of your body. Your spine helps your body hold itself together and maintains your balance, as well as allow you to move freely. It is also extremely susceptible to damage when you have been involved in a collision.
As your Salt Lake City car accident lawyers we understand how severe these injuries can be, so in this article we will be delving into the five main long term effects a spinal injury can have on your life, with the hope to shed light on some of the challenges you may face on your road to recovery.
Physical Impairments
The spinal cord is a vital part of your body and an injury to it can result in a wide range of impairments that can significantly impact your life. These ailments can affect your back in a variety of ways, from a dull soreness to a severe pain, you may even experience difficulty standing for long or short periods of time. While these symptoms may not seem too severe their effect on your quality of life can be astounding.
Daily activities with a spinal injury such as shopping can become extremely strenuous. You may find it much more difficult to complete your day to day tasks with a spinal injury. Another type of impairment you may face depending on the severity of your motor vehicle accident is possible paralysis. Depending on where your injury occurred or how severe the accident was, you could experience partial or complete paralysis, paraplegia (the paralysis of the lower half of your body), or even quadriplegia (the paralysis of the upper and lower half of your body).
If you suffer from any of these conditions you may require short or long term medical care. This can range from physical therapy, spinal injections, or the potential use of adaptive equipment such as a wheel chair, ramp, and other assistive devices. As your Salt Lake City car accident lawyers we understand how difficult these injuries can be but it is important to not get discouraged through your treatment efforts.
Emotional and Psychological Damage
Car accidents are inherently traumatic, and having to deal with new injuries, treatment, and the emotional toll can be overwhelming. After you have been in a car accident it is common for the accident to affect your mental health. You may experience feelings of grief, anger, frustration, and even depression as you have to deal with these changes in your lifestyle and physical abilities.
The changes in your lifestyle after a car accident can be life altering and oftentimes can lead to feelings of a loss of independence. You might find it difficult to handle your day to day tasks, daily social interactions, or you may not find joy in the hobbies that you once enjoyed. These dramatic changes to your mental health can spiral if not treated properly and can lead to social isolation as well as a decrease in your quality of life.
Changes to your mental health do not just affect you either, in fact these burdens frequently fall on our loved ones such as your family and friends as they try to adapt to these new circumstances.
If you notice feelings of intense anger, depression, or loneliness after a car accident, remember that you are not alone. These feelings are common after an accident and especially after one that damages your spinal cord. If these feelings persist your Salt Lake City car accident lawyers would strongly recommend reaching out to a mental health professional. A therapist or psychiatrist will be able to help you cope with your new lifestyle, and will be able to help you adapt to these new changes in your life.
Financial Burden
A spinal injury can be costly and can result in serious medical expenses from emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, medication and therapy can result in a serious financial toll. Not only are the procedures costly, but if you need an assistive device or home modifications can further strain your financial resources.
In some cases, a back injury can affect your ability to return to work, or affect your ability to pursue employment. This can lead to an additional loss of income and may affect your long term financial stability. With the help of a skilled Salt Lake City car accident lawyer you will be able to seek and secure the compensation you deserve to help prevent further financial strain.
Rehabilitation and Adaptive Measures
Recovering from a spinal injury is difficult. You will often need to pursue extensive physical therapy sessions and rehabilitation to try and get back to normal. The goal of physical therapy for a spinal injury is to help you regain your strength, mobility, and independence all while trying to decrease and minimize your pain. While rehabilitation programs can encompass a variety of issues such as therapy to help address the emotional trauma that has occurred.
It may be important after a spinal injury to seek legal assistance from a Salt Lake City car accident lawyer to ensure that you have the resources available to you to help support your path to recovery.
Legal Recourse and Compensation
We have talked plenty about a potential personal injury case throughout this article, but when can you pursue a personal injury claim? When the negligence of someone else has caused you bodily harm, then you have the right to seek compensation for your pain and suffering.
A personal injury claim can be complex and difficult to understand, which is why it is essential to seek the help of a skilled Salt Lake City car accident lawyer. Your lawyer will be able to help you navigate the legal process and allow you to seek the compensation you deserve.
The compensation that you can receive from a personal injury claim is based on multiple factors.
Your compensation will cover the damages that you have incurred including medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, future medical expenses, and long term care needs. Your car accident lawyer will work hard to gather evidence, create and manage your case, and fight with an insurance company on your behalf in order to maximize the chances of you receiving a fair settlement.
A spinal injury in a car accident is no joke and it can be the most devastating injury you can receive (aside from a brain injury). A back injury can have tremendous negative effects on your life, and if it is not addressed it can fully alter the way you are able to live your life. As your car accident experts we hope that you understand that you do not have to suffer alone for the injuries that someone else has caused you. Give the spinal injury and car accident experts at LifeLaw Personal Injury a call today. We are here to fight for you every step of the way.