Your spinal cord is basically the main communication hub for your entire body. 
It is made up of hundreds of tiny nerves and neurons that act as a highway for your brain to relay messages throughout your entire body. When you make a fist, your brain sends the proper message through your spinal cord to your hand in order to make it close. When you walk, your brain sends appropriate movement instructions to your legs, muscles, and feet. However, when the spinal cord swells or becomes damaged, these essential messages cannot get through, causing serious complications such as paralysis.
Unfortunately, even though the spinal cord is obviously incredibly important for proper body function, it isn’t as protected as it might be. Other essential body parts like your brain and organs are protected by your skeleton; therefore, external forces may cause bones to break, but unless extremely severe, will dissipate before causing harm to your organs. Unfortunately this isn’t the case for your spinal cord, as it is part of your spine. If an accident causes external forces to break your back or spine, your spinal cord will undoubtedly be affected.
So, what are the chances that you’ll experience such an accident involving a spinal cord injury (SCI)? Alarmingly, they’re higher than you may think.
Spinal Cord Accident Prevalence and Origins
The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation estimates that over 12,000 such accidents occur each year, which directly contribute to severe spinal cord injuries.
The most common reasons for spinal cord injuries include the following:
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Traffic accident trauma
Some 42.2 percent of all spinal cord injuries result from injuries sustained in traffic collisions, including car, pedestrian, motorcycle, and truck accidents.
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Falling on one’s back
Excessive impact force following a fall causes 26.5 percent of all SCIs.
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Violence
Acts of violence, such as shootings, beatings, knifings and blunt force trauma to the back, neck, and spine account for 15.1 percent of spinal cord injuries.
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Sports-related injuries
Statistics show 7.6 percent of SCIs result from dangerous impact force during recreational and sports activities. About two-third of these can be attributed to diving accidents alone, while the remaining one-third are spread across multiple impact activities.
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Birth injuries and other causes
The remaining 8.6 percent are attributed to birth injuries, disease complications, and unknown or miscellaneous factors not included in the above circumstances.
When You Suffer, Know Where to Turn
When you suffer a catastrophic injury such as a spinal cord injury, you’re entire way of life can change. Don’t allow it to change for the worse. Contact us for a free consultation and review of your case.
We can help you through the injury claim process step by step, and support you throughout the process. We’ll not only be there to make sure you get the compensation you need for your treatment, but also to make sure you remain confident and strong in order to get the justice you deserve.
Don’t hesitate. Call now to secure a brighter future