What To Do If You Sustain A Spinal Cord Injury In A Car Accident

What To Do If You Sustain A Spinal Cord Injury In A Car Accident

Being involved in a vehicle accident is not something anyone wants to experience, but the reality is that accidents occur all the time. Even though most crashes result in relatively minor injuries, there are times when major injuries like spinal cord trauma occur. If you or somebody you care about has sustained a spinal cord injury in a vehicle accident, you need to know what to do. The most crucial thing that you need to know is that you need to seek medical care as soon as possible. The severity of the injury and the effectiveness of any medical treatment will dictate the injury symptoms and the recovery process.

Vehicle Accidents and Spinal Cords Injuries

Data available from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) shows us that vehicle accidents are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the US. Since 2015, 38.2% of all spinal cord injuries that occur have happened because of a vehicle crash. 

Our spines are incredibly important for our overall health, and any injury that occurs to this area of our body can have devastating effects. Even if a person is not completely paralyzed as a result of the spinal cord injury, these injuries can result in significant pain and stiffness, and lead to a person being unable to work or enjoy their life.

Steps You Need to Take

If you have sustained a spinal cord injury in a vehicle accident caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver, your number one priority is to obtain medical care. Prompt medical treatment of spinal cord injuries is critical. Early intervention, thorough rehabilitation, and physical therapy can help alleviate some of the symptoms of spinal cord injuries. 

However, medical care and other costs associated with these injuries can result in tremendous financial liabilities for victims. It is crucial for victims in these situations to reach out to a skilled spinal cord injury lawyer in California who can handle every aspect of their claim. In theory, this step will be the only thing that an injury victim needs to do other than focusing on their health and recovery period

A spinal cord injury lawyer can use their resources to handle every aspect of these claims. This will include:

• Gathering the evidence needed to prove liability, including video or photo surveillance of the crash scene, statements from eyewitnesses, the police report, vehicle “black box” data, and more.
• Working with trusted medical professionals who can treat their client’s injuries and help properly calculate total expected losses.
• Handle negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance carrier or legal team in an effort to secure adequate compensation for their client.
• Fully prepare to take a spinal cord injury case to trial if necessary to ensure that their client is treated fairly and receives the compensation they need.

The Costs of a Spinal Cord Injury Caused by a Vehicle Accident

Having an Orange County spinal cord injury attorney is crucial because the cost of a spinal cord injury can become astronomical. When we look at data from the NSCISC, we can see that the first year of medical care alone can cost anywhere from around $350,000 to more than $1.1 million. Every subsequent year of medical care and also reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and this is not even taking into account the “hidden costs” associated with these injuries. This includes the costs necessary to modify homes or vehicles, travel to and from medical centers, lost income if a victim or their family member can no longer work, and more.