What Are the Most Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injury?

Have you ever considered the most common causes of spinal cord injuries? Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause, followed by falls. Violence, sports-related incidents, and medical complications also significantly contribute to these injuries. 

If you’ve received a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s actions, a Fort Lauderdale spinal cord injury lawyer can explain your options. You may be owed compensation for your catastrophic injury.

Understanding Spinal Cord Anatomy

Before examining the causes of spinal cord injuries, it’s helpful to understand the anatomy of this vital body structure. Your spinal cord extends from the base of your brain down through your back, protected by the bones of your spine (vertebrae).

Far from being a simple tube, your spinal cord is a complex structure divided into distinct sections, each controlling different parts of your body:

• The cervical section (neck region) controls signals to your arms and hands
  
• The thoracic section (mid-back) manages signals to your torso and chest
  
• The lumbar section (lower back) relays messages to your hips and legs
  
• The sacral section (bottom of spine) controls signals to your bladder, bowels, and sexual organs

Damage to any section of your spinal cord can disrupt the communication between your brain and the parts of your body below the injury site. This disruption explains why spinal cord injuries often cause loss of movement, sensation, or function in specific body regions.

How Spinal Cord Injuries Occur

Spinal cord injuries happen when there’s damage to the vertebrae, ligaments, or discs of the spine, or to the spinal cord itself. This damage can result from:

• Sudden traumatic blows to your spine that fracture or dislocate vertebrae
  
• Objects that penetrate your spinal cord, such as bullets or knife wounds
  
• Pressure on the spinal cord from swelling, bleeding, or inflammation
  
• Gradual degeneration of the spinal column due to arthritis or other conditions

Understanding these mechanisms helps explain why certain activities carry higher risks for spinal cord injuries.

Motor Vehicle Accidents: The Leading Cause

Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries. Even accidents at relatively low speeds can cause spinal damage. What might initially seem like minor back pain following a “fender bender” can develop into a more serious condition over time.

The forces involved in vehicle collisions can cause severe trauma to your spine. During a crash, your body may be violently jolted, thrown against the interior of the vehicle, or ejected entirely. These forces can fracture vertebrae, rupture discs, or directly damage your spinal cord.

Falls and Their Impact on Spinal Health

Falls represent the second most common cause of spinal cord injuries overall and the leading cause among adults over 65. From simple trips at home to falls from heights at work sites, these accidents can cause devastating spinal damage.

The severity of a fall-related spinal injury depends on several factors, including the height of the fall, the landing surface, the position of your body on impact, and your age and overall health.

You can take several steps to reduce your risk of fall-related spinal injuries:

• Remove tripping hazards like loose rugs, electrical cords, and clutter from floors
  
• Ensure adequate lighting throughout your home, especially on stairs and in hallways
  
• Install safety features such as grab bars in bathrooms and handrails on both sides of staircases
  
• Use non-slip mats in bathrooms and other potentially slippery areas
  
• Wear proper footwear with good traction and support

For older adults, regular balance and strength training exercises can also help prevent falls by improving stability and coordination.

Violence-Related Spinal Injuries

Acts of violence account for a significant number of spinal cord injuries, particularly among younger individuals. Gunshot wounds, knife attacks, physical assaults, and domestic violence incidents can all result in serious spinal trauma.

Penetrating injuries, such as those from bullets or stab wounds, can directly damage the spinal cord. Blunt force trauma from physical assaults can fracture vertebrae or cause dislocations that compress or sever the spinal cord.

Risk Factors and Prevention

Certain factors can increase the risk of violence-related spinal injuries:

• Living in high-crime areas
• Involvement in gang activity
• Substance abuse issues
• Presence of firearms in the home
• Untreated mental health conditions

Contact Us About Your Spinal Cord Injury Case

Now that you know the most common causes of spinal cord injuries, you can take action to protect yourself. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you may be entitled to compensation. 

Spinal cord injuries often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, and long-term care—all of which can create an enormous financial burden. We can help you determine liability, calculate the full extent of your damages, and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today for a free consultation about your case. We’ll review your situation, explain your legal options, and help you make informed decisions about moving forward.

Let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on your recovery and adjustment.