The impact of vehicles crashing can leave occupants facing numerous, serious injuries including traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding and paralysis. For accident victims, the drastic changes to their physical and emotional well-being can have a detrimental impact on their lives.
Even with the effort car manufacturers have put into improving the design of vehicles, a dangerous accident may quickly overwhelm any technology and leave motorists vulnerable to even the worst injuries. Paralysis, in particular, is one of the most serious outcomes of a motor vehicle accident.
Types of paralysis
Paralysis has several forms, some of which are more serious than others. According to The Mayo Clinic, car crashes account for nearly half of all spinal cord injuries. This puts motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of paralysis. Several factors impact the severity of a paralysis diagnosis including the angle of impact, speed, seatbelt use and environmental conditions. Some types of paralysis include the following:
- Quadriplegia: rarely any movement from the neck down
- Hemiplegia: no movement on one side of the body
- Diplegia: no movement on both sides of the body in the same place
- Paraplegia: no movement in both legs that may affect the torso
- Monoplegia: no movement in one extremity
Living with paralysis
A paralysis diagnosis is often accompanied by a lengthy recovery. The Cleveland Clinic reports that many people with paralysis notice a drastic loss of muscle control. Victims usually face the difficult task of learning to live with their disabilities. Reduced mobility often impacts independence which may interfere with victims’ ability to work and participate in the activities they enjoyed prior to their accident. Ongoing rehabilitative therapies and treatments may mean recurring medical bills which often have a notable impact on finances.
If people suffer paralysis in a car accident they did not cause, they may choose to take legal action. No one deserves to face a lifetime of challenges because of another’s negligence. Working with an attorney may help them secure evidence regarding their case so they can organize the facts and press charges.