While today’s motor vehicles certainly have some impressive safety features, accidents remain common. Sadly, it is not rare for drivers and passengers to suffer life-altering injuries during car crashes. As far as severity goes, internal decapitation is about as bad as it gets.
According to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, atlantooccipital dislocation, commonly called internal decapitation, happens when the ligaments that attach the skull to the spine tear. As you might suspect, the injury is almost always fatal. Still, it is possible to make a marginal or even complete recovery.
Stabilization of the neck and spinal column
In the aftermath of a catastrophic car accident, it is important to triage anyone who has potentially suffered a spinal cord injury. If a person has possible internal decapitation, it is critical to stabilize his or her neck and spinal column. After all, with torn neck ligaments, the spinal cord is vulnerable to additional damage.
Access to immediate medical treatment
Those who recover somewhat from internal decapitation tend to receive immediate medical care. As a result, getting an injured person to a trauma center is imperative. Once there, doctors are likely to use a variety of diagnostic tools to determine injury severity. They also will provide urgent care to keep an injured person alive.
Accommodations for post-injury life
It can be improbable for anyone to recover completely from internal decapitation. Thus, individuals often need accommodations to help them better manage their post-injury lives. These accommodations might include equipment, such as mobility aids, and housing modifications.
Ultimately, while recovering from internal decapitation can be a long and expensive prospect, injured individuals often have legal grounds to pursue substantial financial compensation.