If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a car accident in Austin, Texas, the Robson Law Firm are personal injury lawyers who may be able to help you. Spinal cord injuries are among the most serious injuries victims in car accidents and truck accidents can suffer. These injuries can result in permanent disability, major lifestyle changes, and can leave families facing major medical bills that can often be ongoing for a person’s lifetime. The Shepherd Center reports that 38% of spinal cord injuries are the result of car accidents. Many of these injuries could have been prevented had drivers paid attention behind the wheel, slowed down, and followed the rules of the road. When drivers make catastrophic mistakes, victims and families may have the right to hold them responsible, and may be able to seek damages for medical costs and other losses.
According to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, the costs of living with spinal cord injury can vary depending on the severity of the injury. However, on average, a high C1 to C4 injury can cost victims and their families an estimated $1,064,716 in the first year alone, and as much as $184,891 in the following years for maintenance care, nursing, and ongoing care. Individuals with paraplegia can end up with medical bills averaging $518,904 in the first year alone, and ongoing care can cost as much as $68,739 each year. If you and your family are facing the challenges of paralysis or have suffered a spinal cord injury after a car accident, it is important to understand that you may have important rights under the law. For example, you may be entitled to seek damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering from negligent drivers and from insurance companies. The Robson Law Firm are personal injury lawyers in Austin, Texas who help victims and families who have survived serious car accidents involving spinal cord injuries. If you’ve been hurt in a car or truck accident, contact the Robson Law Firm today to learn more.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injury
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that sends signals from the brain to the body and to the body to the brain. When spinal cord injury takes place, the ability of the spinal cord to send signals to the body and to the brain gets disrupted. The impact forces of a car accident can sometimes be so severe that they either sever the spinal cord or cause bruising around the spinal cord that results in damage. Unlike other areas of the body where the cells regenerate, the spinal cord doesn’t regenerate. When the spinal cord is damaged, the damage is often permanent. Spinal cord injuries can result in loss of motion or sensation below the site of injury. There are two main types of spinal cord injury: complete and incomplete spinal cord injury. With a complete injury, a person generally loses all function (motion and sensation) below the injury site. With an incomplete injury, a person may retain some motion, function, and sensation below the site of injury. Spinal cord injuries can also result in other types of impairments. Individuals with spinal cord injury may suffer from incontinence, breathing problems, low blood pressure, inability to regulate body temperature, and chronic pain. The aftermath of a spinal injury can involve weeks to months of intensive rehabilitation, and may involve many major lifestyle changes and adaptations.
Families may require a great deal of assistance when it comes to navigating life following a chronic injury. The costs of medical care can quickly add up. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal injury in a car or truck accident in Austin, Texas, the Robson Law Firm are personal injury lawyers who may be able to assist you in seeking a claim for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact the Robson Law Firm today for a free initial consultation during which our Austin, Texas personal injury attorneys can review your accident report, take the time to understand your situation, and help you take the next steps to protect your rights.
Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
Adjusting to life after a disability can be challenging. Research indicates that individuals who receive quality rehabilitative care often experience better outcomes in terms of quality of life and in terms of ability to return to work and enjoy life activities. Yet, quality rehabilitative care can be incredibly expensive. Your rehabilitation team may involve doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, psychologists and neuropsychologists, and social workers. This team, together can help patients adapt to changes following their catastrophic injuries.
Treatments may vary depending on each patient’s needs, but access to cutting-edge treatments can improve outcomes. Recent research indicates that some patients can even regain some function when they use electrical stimulation therapies. Patients who have spinal cord injury may also need to use wheelchairs and adaptive devices, and having a team of rehabilitation specialists can help patients adapt to lifestyle changes and find the best equipment to meet their needs. Finally, spinal cord patients may need to make changes to their homes to make them more accessible and they may need vehicles that allow them to move around more easily. All of these changes can be incredibly expensive.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in a car or truck accident, you may be entitled to seek compensation from negligent parties and from insurance companies. The Robson Law Firm are personal injury lawyers in Austin, Texas who may be able to help you seek damages for your losses and assist you with your claim. In the aftermath of a catastrophic or serious injury, you and your family should be focused on healing. Contact the Robson Law Firm, personal injury lawyers in Austin, Texas today for a free initial consultation to learn more about how we may be able to help you seek damages for your losses.