What Kind of Accidents Can Cause Spinal Cord Injuries?
Spinal cord damage is one of the most serious injuries that any person could ever endure. Unfortunately, spinal cord trauma often leads to long-term or permanent impairments. According to the NSCISC at the University of Michigan, there are as many as 383,000 people in the United States who are currently living with a spinal cord injury. These injuries can happen in a wide range of different accidents. Here, our personal injury lawyer provides an overview of the types of accidents that can cause spinal cord trauma.
Spinal Cord Injuries Can Happen in Various Types of Accidents
- Car Crashes: Spinal cord damage can happen in car crashes, especially high-speed wrecks with significant force. These crashes can compress, fracture, or dislocate vertebrae—potentially damaging the spinal cord. Immediate medical attention is a must.
- Semi-Truck Accident: A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. The enormous size and weight of semi-trucks make accidents with these vehicles especially dangerous. The impact can be extreme. Unfortunately, catastrophic injuries are more likely to happen in semi-truck accidents.
- Pedestrian Collisions: Pedestrians are vulnerable. Even a relatively low-speed crash can cause a catastrophic or even life-threatening pedestrian injury. Unfortunately, spinal cord damage is an issue in these crashes. Injured pedestrians in South Carolina need immediate medical attention.
- Motorcycle Wrecks: Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to spinal cord injuries due to their exposure during crashes. A collision or fall can cause direct trauma to the spine. Motorcycle helmets can help reduce the risk but cannot eliminate it.
- Fall Accidents: A fall accident can also contribute to a severe spinal cord injury. The most dangerous type of fall accident is a fall from height. Slips and falls can cause serious harm as well.
- Swimming Pool Accidents: Diving into shallow water or slipping around a pool can cause spinal cord injuries. These accidents often involve direct trauma to the neck or back. Unfortunately, the victim of a swimming pool diving accident may suffer paralysis.
- Assaults (Criminal Attacks): Violent assaults—including blunt force trauma—can cause severe spinal cord injuries. The physical force applied during an attack can lead to fractured vertebrae, nerve damage, or even paralysis.
- Sports Injuries: Recreational sports have the potential to be dangerous. Notably, contact sports like football are hazardous. However, accidents across a range of sports can lead to spinal cord injuries. Sudden impacts, falls, or improper technique often result in damaged vertebrae or nerve compression.
Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Our personal injury attorney in Florence has the skills and experience to handle all spinal cord injury cases. If you or your loved one suffered a spinal cord injury in any accident, please do not hesitate to contact us today. Initial consultations are free. From our Florence office, we represent victims throughout the region.