If you sustain a spinal cord injury, you can expect substantial costs for medical treatment, often for the remainder of your life. If your spinal injury leaves you paralyzed, you may need nursing home care or home healthcare aides since you will no longer be able to do the routine activities of daily living on your own. Working may be impossible, depending upon the nature of your spinal injury and the severity of your resulting impairment. Pain can result. Every aspect of your world could be affected.
Unfortunately, spinal cord accidents happen far too frequently, changing the lives of individuals and families forever. In far too many cases, these accidents happen as a direct result of negligence. In fact, Mayo Clinic indicates auto accidents are the single leading cause of new spinal cord injuries. Car crashes alone result in 35 percent of new spinal cord injuries every single year in the United States.
Car accidents can and should be prevented by drivers exercising reasonable care and by car manufacturers designing safe, defect-free vehicles. If drivers or car makers fall short in these basic obligations, they can be held accountable for resulting spinal cord injuries.
Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Louisville Auto Accidents
Spinal cord injury can happen in any type of auto accident as a result of the force and impact of the collision on the spine. Common causes of spinal cord damage can include:
- Rollover collisions: This type of crash is more likely to happen in vehicles with high centers of gravity and/or narrow wheelbases. SUVs and trucks are more likely than cars to roll over. If the roof strength of the vehicle is poor, passengers and drivers are more likely to be harmed. A collapsed roof in a rollover accident can result in the head, neck, and spine being seriously injured. Spinal cord damage is likely.
- Seatbelt problems: If a seatbelt rips apart, unlatches unexpectedly, or otherwise fails to restrain passengers or drivers, spinal cord injury is more likely to occur as a result of the vehicle occupants being thrown around the car.
- Seat back collapse: If a car has a defect which causes the seat back to collapse upon impact, the vehicle occupant could be ejected from the car. Spinal cord injury could result if someone is thrown from the vehicle.
- Suspension defects: If there is a problem with a vehicle's suspension, the driver may have difficult steering and the car could lose control. Rollovers are likely, which means spinal cord injuries are also more likely to happen.
- Tire problems: If tire treads separate or a tire blowout happens, the driver of the car could lose control. Rollovers can result if this happens and the spine could be badly injured.
These are just some of the many types of accidents that can damage the spine. If you suffer a spinal injury in an auto accident, you should consult with an attorney to determine if someone can be held accountable for the serious injuries you incurred as a result.