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Do all spinal cord injuries cause permanent paralysis?

Car crashes are capable of causing devastating injuries. Abrupt vehicle motions, crush injuries and even penetrating injuries caused by flying debris could potentially cause spinal cord injuries when a crash occurs.

Spinal cord injuries are among the costliest injuries people might sustain in a car crash, in part due to the medical complications associated with spinal cord damage and the impact the injury may have on future earning capacity. Spinal cord injuries usually require immediate trauma care after a collision, and they can drastically alter the injured person’s life.

People with spinal cord injuries caused by car crashes are often quite anxious about their long-term prognosis and the financial impact generated by their injuries. Do car crash spinal cord injuries typically result in permanent paralysis?

Injuries may vary in severity

Not all spinal cord injuries are the same. Both the location on the spine and the severity of the injury impact the prognosis of the injured person.

Some injuries completely sever the spinal cord, while others only cause notable damage to the spinal cord. An incomplete spinal cord injury might respond to treatment. Injured people could recover lost function through physical therapy, surgery and other medical interventions.

Complete spinal cord injuries are currently considered untreatable. Despite advances in rehabilitative medicine, complete spinal cord injuries generally result in a total loss of motor function and sensation below the site of the injury.

Those symptoms are permanent, as modern medical care cannot heal a severed spinal cord. Even if a cure is not available, regular medical intervention is typically necessary when an individual acquires a traumatic spinal cord injury. They may face hundreds of thousands of dollars or possibly millions of dollars in lifetime medical expenses. They may also deal with the loss of their income or a significant reduction in their income because of their functional limitations.

Seeking compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit is often necessary when car crashes cause spinal cord injuries. Insurance may not be enough to cover catastrophic medical expenses and a lifetime of reduced earning potential. Working with a personal injury attorney can help those with life-altering collision injuries seek compensation from the parties that may be liable after a major wreck.