Spinal cord injuries in Wesley Chapel car accidents may be the most devastating injuries anyone will experience. Not only do they cause paralysis, changing the person’s lifestyle forever, but spinal cord injuries also have significant and severe secondary health impacts.
Anyone who sustains a spinal cord injury in a traffic collision should immediately engage a skilled car accident attorney. A qualified legal professional at Distasio Law Firm could help you pursue a legal claim against the at-fault driver to get fair compensation for your damages.
Vehicle Accidents Are a Common Cause of Spinal Cord Injuries
The National Institutes of Health reports that vehicle accidents are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries usually, but not always, occur in crashes at higher speeds in Wesley Chapel.
When a crash results in a person being ejected from the vehicle, the force of the impact when they hit the ground could damage the spinal cord. Even if the individual remains in the car, a blow to the spinal cord could cause it to break or twist, causing significant damage. Impacts to the head could force the spinal cord to hyperextend or compress. Both actions could lead to spinal cord injuries.
The effects of a spinal cord injury depend on where the damage is. In general, a person will experience loss of sensation and motor control below the point of the damage. Thus, the higher on the spinal column the site of the injury, the more severe the person’s disability.
Secondary Health Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury
Wesley Chapel car accidents resulting in spinal cord injuries have life-changing consequences and could shorten your lifespan. Damage to the spinal cord is a major stressor to the body and causes numerous secondary health conditions.
The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation notes some of the secondary health impacts of spinal cord injuries include the following:
- Severe and debilitating pain
- Respiratory issues, especially in people with high injuries
- Skin infections due to pressure and bladder and bowel leakage
- Deep vein thrombosis, in which blood clots form in the leg or thigh
- Cardiovascular problems because of damage to the nerves controlling the heart muscle in people with high injuries
People with spinal cord injuries also often experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.
The negligent driver who caused the crash leading to your spinal cord injury is liable for the injury’s physical and mental impacts.
Bringing a Lawsuit After a Spinal Cord Injury
Florida’s no-fault insurance scheme means someone injured in a wreck must seek payment from their PIP insurer. If PIP does not cover your expenses, you could seek compensation from the at-fault party’s liability insurer. If that coverage is insufficient, you could file a lawsuit if you have a serious injury as state law defines it.
A spinal cord injury meets Florida law’s requirements to step out of the no-fault system and file a personal injury claim seeking monetary damages. Winning damages requires a skilled attorney like Scott Distasio to prove that the at-fault driver was negligent.
A damages award through a personal injury lawsuit could cover your out-of-pocket expenses related to an injury, including future medical care and compensation for your diminished future earning capacity. You could also receive non-economic damages for:
- Pain
- Disability
- Humiliation
- Mental anguish
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Other subjective impacts of the injury
Trust a Wesley Chapel Car Crash Attorney to Pursue Damages for Your Spinal Cord Injury
Sustaining a spinal cord injury in a Wesley Chapel car accident is life-altering. You need a legal representative who can advocate for you and ensure you receive a reasonable settlement.
While you adjust to your injury, allow a dedicated lawyer at Distasio Law Firm to fight for the compensation you need and deserve. Call today to speak with a compassionate attorney about your case.
