Being injured in a car accident is a shocking and overwhelming experience that can have consequences for every aspect of your life. When that injury leads to paralysis, the effects are particularly grave and possibly permanent. In addition to the pain associated with your injury and the medical expenses that pile up as you receive treatment, there are other economic, physical, and psychological ramifications that can make it difficult to know how you and your family will cope.
The St. Louis car accident attorneys of OnderLaw understand how difficult life can be for those who have been paralyzed in an automobile collision that wasn’t their fault. We have helped many accident victims in similar situations recover compensation for the injuries they have suffered in car crashes, and we are ready to help you too.
If you have been paralyzed in a car accident caused by someone else, contact the experienced St. Louis car accident lawyers of OnderLaw as soon as possible. We offer free consultations for our potential clients. If you choose to retain our services, we will not charge you anything unless and until we recover compensation on your behalf. Call us today and let us help you understand what your legal rights and options are.
Paralysis is the term for a loss of function in part of the body due to an injury. It is usually a result of damage to your body’s central nervous system, which is responsible for transmitting signals between your various body parts. The central nervous system is made up of your brain and your spinal cord, which runs from the base of your skull down the center of your back.
The spinal cord is housed in your spine, which is made up of bones called vertebrae. These vertebrae are held together by ligaments and are cushioned by soft vertebral discs. Your spinal cord can suffer damage due to broken bones, inflamed discs, and tears to the cord itself.
Unfortunately, the tissue of the spinal cord does not heal as well over time as other bodily tissues do. When the spinal cord suffers an injury, the resulting paralysis usually lasts for the rest of a person’s life.
The type of paralysis a person may experience depend on the severity and the location of the spinal cord injury. In general, people tend to lose partial or complete control over their limbs or organs below the point in the spinal cord where the injury occurred. Two common types of paralysis are:
There are many ways to be injured in car accidents, and many of these situations can lead to paralysis. Even at low speeds, car accidents can cause nerve damage via an impact to the skull, neck, or back. If a car collides with a person who is on foot or riding a bike, the potential for paralysis-inducing nerve damage is even greater.
A few of the most common causes of paralysis in car accidents include:
After a person is seriously hurt in a car accident, it is common for the at-fault party’s insurance company to offer a settlement to the injured party. While it may be tempting to accept such a settlement, as it can sometimes seem like a large amount of money, these are usually lowball offers that the insurance representative knows will not actually cover the full extent of the economic expenses of your injury. These low offers do not take your physical and psychological pain and suffering into account, either.
Before speaking to any insurance adjusters at all, it is important that you consult with a personal injury lawyer in St. Louis so that you understand the amount of compensation you deserve. When you have experienced paralysis, medical bills can get out of control far more quickly than you realize. Furthermore, your limited mobility may require you to hire extra help with transportation and home tasks, as well as cause you to make necessary changes to your home to accommodate your disability. It is also possible that you will not be able to continue in your line of employment, so it will be necessary to calculate lost wages and future earning capacity.
A skilled car accident attorney will take all these factors into account, in addition to anything else that your own unique circumstances require.
The experienced St. Louis car accident lawyers of OnderLaw are dedicated to helping those who have been injured in car accidents through no fault of their own. We understand that your paralysis injury has turned your life upside down. Let us take care of all the legal work required to help you pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve. In the meantime, we will keep you updated with the progress of your case while you focus on the things you need to do to adapt and recover.
The sooner you contact us, the more quickly we will be able to start taking the necessary steps to help you cover your expenses and attain justice. Call us for a free consultation today.
