People involved in car accidents in California often face the risk of suffering a myriad of serious injuries or developing health conditions in the future. A spinal cord infarction is one of the most severe injuries a car accident victim can sustain. The spinal cord infarction may be described as a stroke that occurs within the spinal cord or a stroke that happens inside the arteries leading to the spinal cord.
The condition typically results from the formation of arteriosclerosis, which causes an accumulation or deposit of lipid matter inside the arteries. There are a number of symptoms that can occur within minutes or hours following the infarction. Accident victims who experience paralysis or the failure of deep tendon reflexes shortly after a crash might be suffering from a spinal cord infarction. Burning or sharp pains in the back that occur intermittently may also be an indication of a spinal cord infarction injury.
Other symptoms associated with this type of injury include incontinence and a loss of sensitivity to pain or temperature. Some accident victims may experience weakness in their legs or an aching pain that shoots down throughout the legs. Anyone experiencing incontinence may require a catheter for treatment, while those suffering from weakness or paralysis may need to undergo occupational and physical therapy. Depending on the severity of the accident, the symptoms could go on for weeks or be permanent.
A person who has incurred a spinal cord injury as the result of a motor vehicle accident that was caused by a negligent driver may want to speak with an attorney to see if there is any legal recourse available. It may be advisable to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party seeking compensation for the damages that have been sustained.