Car Accidents and High-Level Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

If you have recently been in a car accident, there is a strong chance that you sustained serious injuries. One of the most common injuries from a car accident is a spinal cord injury. However, many people do not know that these injuries are classified by their location or portion of the spinal cord, which can also determine the severity of the injury and the symptoms you may experience.

A high-level cervical spinal cord injury is among the most severe injuries you can experience and can result in debilitating effects after a car accident.

What is a high-level cervical spinal cord injury?

According to the Shepherd Center, a cervical spinal cord injury is when the top portion of the spinal cord is injured. The top portion consists of seven vertebrae altogether located in the neck and commonly referred to as C1 to C7. However, the high-level cervical vertebrae are C1 to C4, located around the base of the skull and the neck. Cervical spinal cord injuries are the closest to the brain, making them the most serious type. When an accident victim suffers a high-level cervical spinal cord injury, they may become paralyzed from the neck down and in all four limbs, called quadriplegia.

How do car accidents cause high-level cervical spinal cord injuries?

The most common reason for high-level cervical spinal cord injuries is motor vehicle accidents. Most of the time, when two vehicles collide, the individuals inside experience sudden deceleration, which can cause the neck, back, and head to rapidly jerk back and forth. These types of motions, along with the extreme force and pressure exerted on the upper back and neck, can lead to whiplash, broken and fractured bones, and high-level cervical spinal cord injuries.

The long-term effects of a high-level cervical spinal cord injury

Some devastating effects that come with high-level cervical spinal cord injuries include:

• Paralysis from the neck down (legs, feet, arms, hands, and trunk)
• Altered speech or communication
• Inability to live independently
• Trouble controlling or breathing on your own (may need a ventilator)
• Inability to control bladder or bowels
• Trouble eating and swallowing, which could result in changes in digestion and a special diet
• Confinement to a wheelchair
• Cannot drive or operate a vehicle on your own
• Likely to need around-the-clock caregiving and assistance

How is a high-level cervical spinal cord injury diagnosed?

If you or a loved one is involved in a Phoenix car crash, you should seek medical treatment for your injuries right away. To determine whether you have a high-level cervical spinal cord injury, the doctor will order a physical examination and various diagnostic and imaging tests. Some of the tests that they conduct to rule out this type of injury include:

• X-rays
• CT scans
• MRI scans
• Testing of your reflexes, sensory functions, strength, and muscle movements
• Physical examination to screen for any abnormalities, pain, or obvious fractures in the spine

Can a high-level cervical spinal cord injury be treated?

To reduce inflammation, pain, or any other symptoms that you may feel, a doctor may prescribe steroids or medications or even recommend surgery. In addition, a doctor may continue to monitor your breathing and respiratory care along with your bladder, bowels, and eating habits to ensure that you do not need additional help or that there are no significant changes that you must address.

If you are quadriplegic, the doctor will continuously check your skin for pressure ulcers or bedsores, as these are common when sitting or lying in the same position for long periods of time. They may also recommend therapies to help you improve certain functions. For example, you may benefit from speech therapy, breathing therapy, and eating therapy. Psychological therapy and counseling may also help, as many people paralyzed or diagnosed with a spinal cord injury develop depression.

The car accident lawyers at Plattner Verderame, P.C. have over 33 years of experience helping car accident victims with injuries in Phoenix. When an accident victim suffers a severe and life-changing injury, such as a high-level cervical spinal cord injury, we are here to help them hold the negligent parties accountable and fight for their right to compensation. If you or a loved one has been in a car accident that resulted in devastating injuries, schedule a free case review by calling our office or submitting our contact form. We have offices in Phoenix and Tempe for your convenience.