Spinal cord injuries are frequently caused by auto accidents in Toledo, Ohio. In fact, almost half of all spinal cord injuries in the United States are caused by motor vehicle collisions. They can result from collisions that force the body to turn further than your spine’s range of motion allows, by collisions that involve a significant impact with the spine, or a collision that causes the spinal column to compress. Today, we’ll look at the different kinds of spinal cord injuries that often result from Toledo, Ohio, auto accidents, how your life may be affected, and how you can recover compensation for your damages.
Injuries to Spinal Discs in Toledo, Ohio Auto Accident Claims
Your spine is composed of a spinal cord, vertebrae, and discs between the vertebrae. The spinal discs are there to cushion the bones of your spine (vertebrae), and they are frequently injured in auto accidents. You may have a bulging disc, a slipped disc, a ruptured disc, or a herniated disc. These injuries can be terribly painful and may require surgery to correct. Yet, they typically do not cause spinal cord injury or paralysis, as long as they are caught and treated appropriately. They can happen anywhere in your spine, though they are most common in the lumbar or lower back region. The pain often extends far beyond your spine and can cause pain through your legs or your arms, depending on the location.
When Spinal Cord Injuries Cause Paralysis After a Toledo, Ohio Auto Accident
When your actual spinal cord is damaged in a Toledo, Ohio, auto accident, you can end up paralyzed. This is one reason that you are instructed not to move an injured person after a motor vehicle collision unless it is absolutely necessary. If someone’s spinal cord is damaged, then moving them could cause further damage. The person might avoid paralysis if they are immobilized and treated appropriately, and if they are lucky to not have a more severe spinal cord injury. Paralysis causes a person to lose the feeling and the functioning of parts of their body because of nerve damage in the spinal cord. Following are the different types of paralysis that may occur:
- Paraplegia – Paralysis of the lower half of the body, both legs, possibly the pelvis.
- Quadriplegia or Tetraplegia – Paralysis of the body below the neck, both arms and legs.
- Monoplegia – Paralysis of just one limb, an arm or a leg.
- Hemiplegia – Paralysis of one side of the body, one arm and one leg.
Most Common Symptoms of Paralysis After a Toledo, Ohio Auto Accident
When a spinal cord injury results in any kind of paralysis after a Toledo, Ohio, auto accident, the impact can completely change your life. You are likely to be unable to work, unable to care for yourself without help, and unable to maintain your former quality of life. At times, a minor spinal cord injury becomes worse through lack of treatment or being moved after the collision. The most frequent symptoms of spinal cord injury and paralysis include losing sensation in any part of your body, being unable to move part of your body, a numb or tingling sensation in part of your body, losing control of your bladder or bowels, strange and exaggerated reflexes and spasms, difficulty breathing, and sexual dysfunction.
Treatment for Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis After a Toledo, Ohio Auto Accident
There is no cure for spinal cord injury and paralysis. There have been many advances in medical treatment for many injuries, but there is still no way to replace nerves that are damaged beyond repair. When someone is in an auto accident, you can avoid doing more damage to the spine by not moving them, and they may be able to recover by allowing the nerves to remain still and prevent further harm. Yet, if the nerves are already irreparably damaged, there is little that anyone can do. This is why treatment in cases of spinal cord injury and paralysis is focused on learning to live with the injury. This is where physical therapy, mobility devices (like wheel chairs), and nursing assistance come in. The goal in such cases is not to fix the paralysis, but to improve the quality of life of the victim.
How Much Does it Cost to Treat Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis in Toledo, Ohio?
It can be extremely expensive to treat spinal cord injuries and paralysis in Toledo, Ohio. The more severe the injury
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, contact the Ohio Car Accident Lawyers today!
is and the more life altering it is, the more costly it will be to treat and manage. You will have the expense of hospital treatment, possible surgeries, and potentially the expense of ongoing medical care. You may also have the expense of medical mobility devices to contend with in addition to the expense of making your home handicap accessible. On average, someone who becomes paralyzed in a Toledo, Ohio, auto accident will face between $300K and $1 million in expenses within the first year. Every following year will see between $40K and $170K in treatment expenses. Over the course of a quadriplegic person’s life, they will spend more than $3 million. This doesn’t even account for the expenses of changing your home to be accessible or the psychological therapy you may need.
How Are You Going to Afford to Treat Paralysis After a Toledo, Ohio, Auto Accident?
If your Toledo, Ohio, auto accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, then you may be able to recover compensation for all of your expenses related to your spinal cord injury and subsequent paralysis through a Toledo, Ohio, auto accident injury claim. This will involve filing an auto accident claim with the appropriate auto insurance policy, negotiating for a fair settlement, and potentially taking the case the court to ensure that you receive the compensation you are owed.
Contact the Ohio Car Accident Lawyers to Learn More About Recovering Compensation
If you have suffered from a severe spinal cord injury involving paralysis or an injury to your spinal discs in a Toledo, Ohio, auto accident, contact the Ohio Car Accident Lawyers to get a free consultation and get started in the right direction to recovering fair compensation. We understand what you are going through, and we are here for you.
