Oklahoma Car Accident Spinal Cord Injury Attorneys

Spinal Cord Injury from Auto Accident

Automobile and motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injury in the U.S., as reported by the Mayo Clinic. Spinal cord injury is caused by trauma to the spinal cord, the vertebrae, discs, or ligaments of the spinal column. A sudden traumatic blow sustained in an auto accident can fracture, dislocate, crush, or compress vertebrae, injuring the spinal cord and leading to permanent impairments, including paraplegia and quadriplegia.

The spine is a complex and delicate structure of the body, and may not be strong enough to withstand the impact of a motor vehicle collision without damage. Displaced bone fragments, ligaments, or disc material from injuries suffered in an accident can tear into spinal cord tissue, damaging nerve cells and causing loss of function and sensation.

If you or your loved one has suffered spinal cord injury in an auto accident, it is important to speak with a knowledgeable attorney at once. Our Oklahoma car accident lawyers at Car Accident Help are committed to protecting your rights, and fighting for the compensation you deserve after an automobile collision that resulted in a serious spinal cord injury.

Types of Spinal Cord Injury

After serious spinal cord injury, the ability to control the limbs and retain function and feeling will depend on the location and severity of the injury to the spinal cord. The lowest part of the spinal cord that is still functioning normally after the injury is referred to medically as the neurological level of spinal cord injury. Depending on the neurological level, severe spinal cord injury may result in:

• Paraplegia: Paralysis affecting, the legs, pelvic organs, and all or part of the trunk of the body; or
• Tetraplegia (also known as Quadriplegia): Paralysis affecting the arms, hands, trunk, pelvic organs, and legs.

Severity of spinal cord injury is classified as:

• Incomplete: There are varying degrees of incomplete spinal cord injury. This condition exists when the injured person still has some ability to control movement and some degree sensation remaining below the level of the injury.
• Complete: When all or almost all motor function and feeling are lost below the neurological level, spinal cord injury is considered complete.

Spinal Cord Injury Statistics

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), approximately 12,500 new spinal cord injury cases occur every year in the U.S. During any given 12-month period, approximately 30% of people with spinal cord injury are hospitalized at least once, with an average length of stay of approximately 22 days. Common causes of re-hospitalization are genitourinary, skin, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and musculoskeletal diseases.

Get a Free Consultation with an Oklahoma Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer

Long-term medical expenses, loss of earning potential, the need to modify the home and vehicles, and many other expenses associated with spinal cord injury make it essential for victims to recover compensation that reflects the full extent of their injuries after a crash. We know the law at Car Accident Help, and our dedicated legal team will fight aggressively for the compensation you deserve. Contact our OK auto accident injury attorneys today for a consultation. We can be reached at (405) 285-4357.

Additional Information

• Common Spinal Cord Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
• Seeking Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries Sustained in Oklahoma Car Accidents
• Spinal Cord Injury Information Page
• Spinal Cord Injuries - MedlinePlus
• National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center

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