Florida Brain and Spine Injury Attorneys

All spinal injuries are serious, and their effects can last weeks, months, or even years. Some of the most common injuries include: 

Whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the head and neck are suddenly jerked forward and backward, damaging the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It mostly affects the cervical spine (the neck area), but it can cause intense pain and difficulties for long periods of time. In fact, whiplash can become permanent if not properly treated. 

Herniated discs. Your spine is made of discs, stacked one on top of the other. The extreme force and impact of a car accident can cause one or more discs to slip out of place. This may not cause trouble on its own, but can cause extreme pain, tingling, or numbness in the back or your extremities if the slipped disc compresses a nerve. 

Fractures. A car accident can cause your vertebrae to fracture. A compression fracture, where pressure causes cracks or fissures in the spine, is the most common type of car accident fracture and requires immediate medical attention. 

Spinal cord injuries. The most serious and dangerous type of spinal injury from a car accident. If the spinal cord itself is damaged, you may experience nerve damage or paralysis, including paraplegia (paralysis of the lower half of the body) or quadriplegia (paralysis from the neck down).