Auto accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries, according to the Mayo Clinic. More than 40 percent of new spinal cord injuries each year occur during a car or motorcycle accident.
Wearing a seatbelt can help minimize the risk of sustaining a spinal cord injury. Once the crash has occurred, there are additional precautions the Mayo clinic suggests accident victims can take to minimize the severity of spinal cord injuries including:
- Calling 911 immediately
- Avoiding moving the injured person. The wrong movement could exacerbate the injury or result in paralysis.
- Providing basic first aid such as stopping any bleeding and making the person comfortable without moving the head or neck
- Keeping the person still and place heavy towels on both sides of the neck or hold the head and neck to prevent them from moving.
Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye and change life at the same speed. No matter how careful drivers are, sometimes accidents and injuries cannot be prevented. No one should be left to deal with the aftermath of a paralyzing auto accident alone. Spinal cord injury lawyers can help victims get their life back. If it happened to you or a loved one, contact a Pennsylvania personal Injury lawyer to find out if you are eligible for compensation.
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