One of the worst non-fatal consequences of a motor vehicle accident is suffering spinal damage, including partial or complete paralysis. The spinal column is such an important yet vulnerable part of our bodies that any damage to it could greatly and permanently impair our movement and daily activities.
Spinal injuries are especially likely in motorcycle accidents and rear-end crashes, both of which are common. At present, victims of spinal cord injuries have limited options when it comes to treating injuries and restoring function. But that may be changing with a recent and exciting scientific announcement.
New cell discovered could be key to repair damage
In a recently published article, researchers noted the discovery of a previously unknown type of immune cell found in both mice and humans. According to the researchers, the cell “stimulates severed nerve fibers to regrow in the central nervous system.” With more research, this discovery could lead to effective treatments for spinal injuries, strokes and neurological diseases.
So far, the testing has only been conducted on mice. But because humans have the same cell, there are reasons to hope that the positive results seen in mice test subjects could be replicated in humans. It may be many years before we see the full potential of this new discovery, but anyone suffering from a debilitating spinal injury or other injury will likely be following the progress closely.
Medical costs can be staggering after an auto accident
As most people know, it costs a lot of money to conduct breakthrough research like this. But if you suffered a spinal injury (or other serious injury) in a motor vehicle accident, you would likely be saddled with the enormous costs of medical treatment available today – not to mention the costs of changes that need to be made to accommodate a permanent disability.
For these reasons and many more, it is often necessary to seek full and fair compensation after being injured by a negligent driver. If you cannot recover that money through the insurance claim process, it may be time to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney about your legal options.
