Spinal Cord Injuries in Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can lead to devastating injuries for the occupants of smaller passenger vehicles. Damage to the spinal cord may have permanent effects on your ability to work and live independently. A skilled lawyer can help the victims of spinal cord injuries in truck accidents pursue maximum compensation.

At Burg Simpson, we understand the severity of spinal cord injuries. Our Phoenix trucking accident lawyers can evaluate all of the ways the injury has impacted your life so far, as well as the challenges you will face in the future.

Our team recognizes that you need guidance and support after surviving a spinal cord injury. Your life may be permanently altered by the accident, and we are here to advocate for you fiercely while taking the time to answer your questions and discuss your concerns.

Call Burg Simpson at 602-777-7000 today for a FREE case evaluation. Our truck accident attorneys serve clients in Phoenix and all of Arizona.

Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord is a thick bundle of nerves that runs from the base of the skull to the upper part of the lower back. It is protected by 33 vertebrae that make up the spine.

Nerves in the spinal cord carry signals between the brain and other areas of the body. These signals enable us to move, walk, and use our hands, as well as feel sensations like touch and temperature. The spinal cord also plays a critical role in regulating bodily functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and digestion.

An injury to the spinal cord can disrupt one or more of these functions, either temporarily or permanently. Our spinal cord injury attorneys collaborate with your doctors and other medical experts to determine the severity and prepare a strong claim on your behalf.

How a Truck Accident May Affect the Spinal Cord

Semi-trucks are much larger than other vehicles. When they are moving at a high rate of speed, the force of a collision can be enormous. The occupants of a passenger vehicle may suffer severe injuries to the neck and back, potentially resulting in:

• Compression fractures of spinal vertebrae: This can place pressure on the spinal cord and lead to pain, weakness, and other symptoms.
• Herniation of intervertebral discs: Intervertebral discs provide cushioning and support between the vertebrae of the spine. Material leaking from the disc can compress nearby nerves and even the spinal cord itself.
• Burst fractures: Small pieces of bone may break off from fractured vertebrae and pierce the spinal cord, potentially causing permanent damage.
• Spinal dislocation: Dislocated vertebrae are highly unstable. Significant movement can cause serious damage to the spinal cord.
• Chance fractures: Also known as a flexion-distraction fracture, Chance fractures are often associated with the whip-like motion of the body in high-speed auto accidents. The spinal cord may be compressed.
• Transection of the spinal cord: A transection of the spinal cord occurs when the cord is totally severed. These injuries may be the result of extreme compression or crushing, or due to bone fragments entering the spinal canal.

Often, spinal cord injuries in truck accidents are exacerbated by the swelling of nearby tissues, buildup of fluid, and bleeding. These issues need to subside before the extent of the injury can be accurately assessed.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries in Truck Accidents

There are two distinct categories of spinal cord injury. A complete spinal cord injury involves the permanent and total loss of function and sensation. It is associated with serious conditions such as paralysis of the lower body (paraplegia) or paralysis of the upper and lower body (quadriplegia/tetraplegia).

An incomplete spinal cord injury spares some sensation and motor capabilities. Victims may still be left with limited mobility and feeling despite rehabilitation.

Spinal cord injuries are also diagnosed according to the level of the spine at which the injury occurs. The most serious injuries are associated with the cervical or thoracic spine, which can impact breathing and other essential functions in addition to movement and sensation. Injury to the lower spine (lumbar and sacrum) can be serious, too, affecting bladder and bowel control as well as sexual function.

No spinal cord injury should be taken lightly after a semi-truck wreck. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is critical for preventing complications and giving you the best chance of recovery. It is also in your best interest to contact a truck accident injury law firm as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.

What Are the Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury?

The symptoms associated with spinal cord injuries can vary. If you feel pain in your neck or back or have difficulty moving your limbs after the accident, you should get checked out by a doctor ASAP.

Other symptoms to be aware of include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Numbness or tingling sensation
• Loss of balance
• Muscle spasms or stiffness
• Urinary incontinence
• Loss of bowel control

The first 90 days after a spinal cord injury can be particularly challenging. Getting the right medical care and support is vital for understanding and adapting to the challenges you now face, as well as the importance of taking legal action in a timely fashion if you were injured due to another’s negligence.

How Often Do Truck Accidents Cause Spinal Cord Injuries?

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord trauma in the United States, accounting for more than 40% of all cases. While the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center does not have data on the different types of vehicles involved, we do know that a mismatch in vehicle size significantly increases the risk of spinal cord injury.

Research published in the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine found that the occupants of vehicles were nearly twice as likely to suffer a spinal cord injury if they were in a crash with a light truck or van. Given the mismatch in size and weight between passenger vehicles and 18-wheelers, it follows that a collision with a semi-truck carries a high likelihood of spinal cord injury.

Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries in Truck Accidents

A spinal cord injury can leave you with hundreds of thousands of dollars (or more) in medical expenses. You may require ongoing therapy and care, leading to a lifetime of additional costs. The injury could also leave you unable to return to your job or work at all, putting you and your family in a precarious financial position.

You may be entitled to compensation for all of these losses, as well as the physical and psychological toll of the injury. Truck accident lawyers at Burg Simpson can help you make a claim for damages such as:

• Medical bills
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Lost wages
• Household services and assistance
• Assistive devices
• Modifications to your home and vehicle
• Future medical expenses
• Loss of earning capacity
• Disability
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium

The value of your spinal cord injury claim depends on numerous factors. Insurers will probably try to pay less than you deserve, which is why it is so important to have an experienced truck accident injury lawyer represent you.

Multiple parties may be liable for the crash, including the truck driver, a trucking company, cargo loaders, parts manufacturers, maintenance providers, and more. Burg Simpson can prove negligence on the part of all defendants and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Contact a Phoenix Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Living with a spinal cord injury can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Previously simple tasks take much longer. You might not be able to take part in the activities you used to love. Money may be tight due to the cost of medical care and loss of income.

At Burg Simpson, we have the knowledge and resources to help people with spinal cord injuries from truck accidents seek all available compensation. Our attorneys understand how serious these injuries are and how complicated commercial trucking accident claims can be.

Our firm is not intimidated by large trucking companies or insurance carriers. Hard work is essential for protecting your rights and obtaining the best result. You can count on us to collect the evidence, consult the experts, and calculate the damages from a spinal cord injury so we can obtain a favorable settlement or win at trial.

Burg Simpson serves the victims of spinal cord injuries and other types of trauma in truck accidents throughout Arizona. For a FREE and confidential case evaluation, call our Phoenix office at 602-777-7000 today.