Car wrecks, especially those that are serious, can lead to severe injuries. One of the injuries that's possible is damage to the spinal cord. This injury is often associated with paralysis, but there are also other effects that can occur.
3 effects that can come with a spinal cord injury
Don't Underestimate the Potential Cost of a Broken Bone
In the broad spectrum of injuries you could suffer in a car crash, a broken bone may be painful. The one silver lining is that a broken bone is less devastating than other possible impacts, such as spinal cord injuries or brain injuries.
A Ruptured Disc: A Painful Injury That May Require Surgery
A ruptured disc is serious, because it can press on the nearby nerves. A slipped, herniated, or ruptured disc can cause severe pain and dysfunction below the point of injury. These types of injuries are often caused by motor vehicle collisions.
Police Looking For Answers After Serious Accident
There are instances where the causes of a car crash are apparent. Investigators often find that one or more people took or failed to take some sort of action that led to the incident. Unfortunately, car accident causes aren't always so cut and dried. One recent serious accident here in Colorado is still under investigation after a woman was seriously hurt and another driver suffered significant injuries.
Serious accident involving hit-and-run leads to arrest
It's not uncommon for most drivers to get into a car accident at some point in their lives. However, most people try to do all that they can to avoid causing one. When someone makes a deliberate choice that leads to a crash, such as speeding or texting and driving, that person could face criminal charges. One recent crash here in Colorado resulted in charges for one man after authorities say he caused a serious accident and was intoxicated at the time.
Serious accident leaves 2 with life-threatening injuries
Some car crashes have very clear details that authorities are able to piece together quickly. That is not the case for a recent collision here in Colorado that put four people in the hospital. When a serious accident like this happens, it is imperative that police figure out exactly what occurred and who may have been at fault. Fortunately, investigative techniques can help them do so and police will make use of all available resources to bring justice to those who may deserve it.
Serious accident claims life of pedestrian
Many people in Colorado don't use a motor vehicle as their primary means of transportation. Although walking is a leisure activity for some, for others it is the best option for getting around. Even when it's a necessity, there are many benefits to walking, such as enjoying being outside and getting exercise. Unfortunately, it can also pose a great risk, especially when pedestrians are close to traffic. One recent serious accident shows just how significant that risk is, when a woman lost her life after being struck by a car.
How truck drivers can manage their fatigue
Truck driver fatigue contributed to 13% of crashes analyzed in the Large Truck Crash Causation Study of 2007. However, there are many steps that drivers in Colorado and elsewhere can take to make sure that they are awake enough to operate their vehicles. For example, it is not a good idea to drive between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. because the human body tends to be naturally tired during these hours.
Researchers discover where accidents are most likely to occur
There was a 6.8% increase in traffic accidents throughout the country between 2018 and 2019, many of which occurred in Illinois. According to a survey from Go Safe Labs, there were 22,188 crashes in Houston, which was the most in the country during 2019. Other cities where accidents were most likely to occur were Charlotte, Austin and Los Angeles. However, it is important to note that the accident rates in many of these cities actually declined during that year.
Truckers with sleep apnea pose a safety risk on the road
As much as 35% of truckers in Colorado and the rest of the U.S. suffer from a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. Apnea means "without breath," and sleep apnea results in the individual having his or her upper airway blocked during sleep for 5 to 10 seconds at a time. In obstructive sleep apnea, the most common among truckers, the mouth palate and throat muscles relax and collapse to block the airway.
