Types of Spinal Cord Injuries from New Mexico 18 Wheeler Wrecks
A large commercial truck like an 18 wheeler, box truck, semi tractor trailer, big rig, tanker, or other large truck can cause significant injury in even low speed collisions. A common injury is a spinal cord injury, which is common in both high speed and low speed collisions. This is because the spine is very vulnerable in a collision to the violent back-and-forth movement of the impact, commonly referred to as a whiplash effect causing a whiplash injury. But some spinal cord injuries include direct trauma to the spine such as due to rollover, penetration of debris, or crushing injuries. Victims of New Mexico 18 wheeler wrecks who suffer a spinal cord injury should call our Albuquerque trucking accident attorney to learn their rights.
Spinal Cord Anatomy
The spinal cord originates at the base of the brain and extends down your back to about your hips. It is a soft, jelly-like substance unclosed with fluid (cerebral spinal fluid) around it. The spinal cord is encased in vertebrae, which is the bone which make up the spinal column. This is to protect the vulnerable spinal cord. This is because the spinal cord sends messages from the brain to the body by smaller nerves which originate from the spinal cord, out the vertebrae, and to various parts of the body. If part of the spinal cord is injury to the point where the messages cannot be send from the part of the body and the brain, sensation, movement, and other function will cease.
General Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
There are two general types of spinal cord injuries. The first is an incomplete spinal cord injury, which is when the spinal cord is only partially severed and allows a victim to retain some function, feeling, sensation, and movement. The second is a complete spinal cord injury, which means that the message-relay system from the extremity or part of the body to the brain is cut off. This means that a victim will no longer have sensation.
Specific Spinal Cord Injuries Caused by New Mexico 18 Wheeler Wrecks
There are several kinds of spinal cord injuries which could be caused by a New Mexico 18 wheeler wreck. Some of the most common injuries include the following:
Fractures – This is when the vertebrae are so forcibly impacted that they can be fractured, broken, and compressed. This is a very dangerous injury because the shards and fractures could be pushed into the spinal cord or cause severing of the spinal cord. Bone fragments can easily damage the spinal cord when the vertebrae are crushed.
Anterior Cord Syndrome – This is an injury which is to the front of the spinal cord and damages sensory and motor function. The injury usually allows some sensation and feeling, but motor function may be damaged or disrupted. This is a type of incomplete spinal cord injury.
Brown-Sequard Syndrome – This is an injury to one side of the spinal cord. Because of this, one side of the body may have decreased sensation, movement, feeling, and even muscular tone due to the inactivity.
Spinal Cord Injuries Caused by New Mexico 18 Wheeler Wrecks Need the NM Truck Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one have suffered a severe spinal cord or back injury due to a New Mexico trucking accident with a big rig, 18 wheeler, or other box truck, please call our law firm to learn what your rights are today. Here at the NM Truck Accident Attorneys, our experienced Albuquerque trucking accident attorneys can help protect your rights to compensation in a FREE consultation. Please call to schedule your free appointment by dialing (505) 308-1556. You can also contact us on our website through the easy to use and convenient Contact box located by clicking here.
