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Trucking Accidents

• Speeding, Distracted Driving Among Common Causes of Serious Injury and Fatal Kansas City Trucking Accidents

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A Kansas City Commercial Truck Accident Victim's Guide To Spinal Cord Injuries

Why are spinal cord injuries so serious? The spinal cord is a long, thin bundle of nerves and protective tissue that extends from the brain down the spinal cord to the lower back. The spinal cord has three major functions:

1. It controls movement by sending signals from the brain to the rest of the body.
2. It sends sensory information from the body to the brain.
3. It coordinates involuntary reflexes.

In general, the spinal cord is well-protected. The nerves and their protective tissue layer are further protected by the hard bones of the spine. These bones are called vertebrae and they are arranged in away that allows the spine to be both strong and flexible. However, a sudden blow to the spine such as the impact from a big rig truck accident can break or dislocate the vertebrae and cause damage to the nerves in the spinal cord.

Injury to the spinal cord during a truck accident can have extremely serious consequences. If the vertebrae in the neck are fractured or compressed in a tractor-trailer accident, bone fragments can puncture the spinal cord or the spinal cord may become bruised. These injuries interfere with the signals from the brain and the rest of the body. The damage may be temporary or permanent,

When a truck crash causes spinal cord injury, the spinal cord can swell and cut off blood flow. This can cause a condition known as "spinal shock" or neurogenic shock. In spinal shock the spinal cord becomes temporarily disabled and cannot communicate properly with the brain. This may lead to temporary paralysis that lasts 24 to 48 hours. Neurogenic shock has the same symptoms, but the paralysis can last for weeks and lead to muscle atrophy.

In rare cases, the spinal cord can be torn or severed from the impact of 18-wheeler crash. This can cause permanent damage to the spinal cord resulting in partial or full paralysis. Depending on the location of the injury, the victim might lose use of his lower body and legs (paraplegia) or of most of the body including arms and legs (quadriplegia).

Missouri big rig accident victims who suffer a spinal cord injury may have additional medical complications such as chronic pain, bladder dysfunction., respiratory difficulties and an increased risk of heart problems. These conditions need on-going treatment and can interfere with the victim’s quality of life.

Immediate emergency medical care and intensive rehabilitation can minimize the damage caused by spinal cord injuries. However, many truck accident victims are left permanently disabled and unable to earn a living.

If have suffered a spinal cord injury after a Kansas City semi-truck accident, you need an attorney who is experienced in handling Missouri and Kansas 18-wheeler truck accident cases. The Kansas City truck accident lawyers at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys are not afraid to take on the trucking companies in order to get you fair compensation for your medical bills, rehabilitation, on-going care, loss of earnings, loss of earning potential, loss of quality of life and other damages. To learn more, contact our Kansas City accident attorneys at 888-384-2616 to schedule a free consultation with a truck accident attorney.

To get a head start on your injury case, download our free guide, “10 Essential Steps You Must Take to Protect Your Injury Claim.”

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Latest News

• Posted on 5/21/2012FMSCA Releases Report Highlighting Main Causes of Fatal Trucking Accidents in KS. and MO.
• Posted on 5/15/2012Truck Driver Seriously Injured in Trucking Accident on I-70 near Bonner Springs, Kansas

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Trucking Accidents

• Why shouldn’t I use the nice attorney who helped incorporate my business for my Kansas City truck accident case?

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