Nobody gets behind the wheel of the car knowing that they will be involved in a serious car accident. However, this is the reality for hundreds of thousands of victims on Florida roads each year. After a car accident has led to serious injuries, one of the most common ways for you to tell that you have been severely injured is due to the pain that you are feeling. Spinal cord injuries can be incredibly painful but they also lead to many other symptoms that can have a huge impact on your life.

The first thing that you should always understand about spinal cord injuries is that there are actually two types. An incomplete injury takes place when you still have some sensation below the site of the injury, while a complete injury is when you lose all feeling below the point of injury. Complete injuries are more severe in most cases and are usually referred to as paralysis. If you have suffered a spinal cord injury, it is important that you do not move until emergency responders arrive at the scene, as you could worsen your injury.

What are some other signs and symptoms of spinal cord injuries? By understanding what symptoms could occur, you can be prepared for what you will face and the hardships that may follow in the days and weeks after your injury has occurred.

Symptoms Associated with Spinal Cord Injuries 

Loss of Control Over Bowels: After you have been injured in a car accident, losing control of your bowels or bladder could be a sign that you have received a spinal cord injury. Nerve impulses from your spine actually control the muscles in that portion of your body, which is how you can tell that you have likely suffered one of these injuries.

Exaggerated Reflexes: Nerves sometimes do not communicate correctly after a car accident. If they start to become exaggerated, such as intense muscle spasms or strange muscle activity that you have never experienced in the past, you may be suffering from a spinal cord injury.

Loss of Sensation: One of the most common ways that somebody knows that they have suffered a spinal cord injury is if they are unable to feel a certain part of their body. Injuries are typically right above where the loss of sensation starts. For instance, if you are no longer able to feel your legs, you may have received an injury to your lower spine.

Extreme Pain: Intense pain and pressure in your spine is a sign that something could be seriously wrong. Most people feel pain. However, if your nerves are damaged, you may just feel the pressure.

Numbness/Tingling: If you have numbness or tingling in your extremities, it may be a sign of a spinal cord injury. Feeling any related weakness will require medical care.

How a Florida Car Accident Attorney Can Help 

Spinal cord injuries impact victims for life. If you have been injured in a Florida car accident and believe that you have suffered from a spinal cord injury, it is imperative that you have the help of a skilled personal injury attorney on your side. From the very start, our attorneys at Sheftall & Associates can help you gather evidence against a negligent party and meet all of your filing deadlines. We will ensure that your rights are being protected every step of the way. Please do not hesitate to contact an accident attorney in Florida to find out how we can help you at (904) 579-6025.