Spinal cord injuries devastate victims with lasting trauma, both physical and mental. The level of quality care the injury victim receives in the immediate aftermath of the accident commonly has a huge affect on the extent of permanent damage. Because of this critical window, knowing how to address a potential spinal cord injury at the accident scene can greatly improve the prognosis for individuals, possibly even saving their life.
Individuals can also increase their chances of obtaining compensation for their injuries from all at-fault parties if they know how to capture as much information as they can about the accident and proceed strategically with the help of a spinal cord injury attorney.
To help you handle these situations prudently and increase your chances of successful recovery — recovery for both your health and other monetary damages related to the accident — make sure to keep the following in mind when you face a possible spinal cord injury after a car accident.
Recognize the Signs of Possible Spinal Cord Injury
Certain normal practices after a car accident, such as immediately moving to a safe place, may have to be altered if a possible spinal cord injury has occurred. Injury victims and others at the scene must therefore be able to recognize the signs of possible spinal cord injury so that they can adjust their response appropriately.
According to the Mayo Clinic, common signs of spinal cord injury include:
- Evidence of a serious head injury, such as an open wound or abnormal swelling
- Severe pain in the neck, head or back
- An inability to move the neck or head
- An accident that has likely directed a huge amount of force onto the back, neck or head
- Weakness, numbness, paralysis or lack of control in the limbs, bladder or bowels
- A twisted or odd position at the end of the accident
Note all of these factors, and have someone dial 911 immediately to let emergency services know about the accident and that there is a potential spinal cord injury victim at the scene.
Avoid Moving If Possible
Ideally, a potential spinal cord injury victim should not have to move until trained EMT personnel arrives. Others at the scene can stabilize the victim by gently placing towels, clothes or other cushioning underneath the sides of their neck that can prevent further head movement.
If the injury victim must be moved because they are in imminent danger, two or more people should help, taking care to preserve the resting position of the person and not adjust the angle of rotation between their head and body. Again, avoid moving or even touching the victim if at all possible.
Have Someone Document Evidence From the Accident Scene
In a normal accident situation, the injury victim should gather as much evidence as possible, including:
- Contact information of drivers involved and all accident witnesses
- Photos of the accident scene, including damage to vehicles and any injuries
- Photos of license plates for involved vehicles
- Recorded statements of witnesses
Since the injury victim cannot move and must be evacuated to a critical care facility as soon as possible, they will need someone else to document as much as they can about the scene for them. If need be, they may even have to have someone call a family member or close friend to arrive on the scene and document the details for them.
Get As Much Information As Possible About the Injury From Medical Professionals
At the hospital, you will want as many details as can be made available about the spinal cord injury, including the extent of damage and the likely prognosis. Note that the further up along the spinal cord the damage site is, the more likely that paralysis in the limbs or extremities will end up being a permanent effect.
Work With a Spinal Cord Injury Attorney to Recover Appropriate Damages
If the car accident that lead to your spinal cord injury was partially or completely the fault of someone else, then they could owe you compensation for the resulting damages. These damages include medical costs, loss of mobility, loss of use of other bodily systems, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress and more.
You can increase your chances of recovering these losses by working with a car accident spinal cord injury lawyer in San Francisco as early in the process as you can.