Car accidents are one of the leading causes of injuries to the spine in the United States. If you sustain injuries to your spine following a car accident that is not your fault, you may need to pursue the liable party for damages through a personal injury lawsuit.
Depending on the severity of your spinal injury, you might require a lifetime of medical care to cope with life after the accident. That said, here are some of the spinal injuries that you need to look out for after a car accident:
Cervical spine injuries
The cervical spine runs from the neck to the upper back. Injuries to the cervical spine happen when the body is violently jostled during a rear-end collision.
Most cervical spine injuries take time to detect. This underpins the importance of seeking treatment as soon as possible following a car crash. Even if you feel you’re fine, be sure to see a doctor.
Vertebrae injuries
The vertebrae are made up of 33 interlocking bones that run through the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spines. A slip or compression of the vertebrae bones can greatly impact your comfort and mobility.
Depending on the severity of your vertebrae injuries, you may need ongoing treatment and care to manage the pain.
Protecting your rights
If you sustain a spinal injury in a car accident that is attributable to someone else’s unlawful actions, you need to take appropriate steps to safeguard your rights.
Firstly, you need to seek treatment as soon as possible so you can begin your recovery journey. Seeking treatment also ensures that your injuries are properly captured in your medical report. And this will be critical when pursuing your claim.
Secondly, you need to pursue your claim within the statute of limitations period. And in Washington, this means filing your claim within three years from the date of the accident that resulted in your injury.
