Motor vehicle accidents, from pedestrian impacts to heavy trucking collisions, often result in hundreds of different types of injuries. Even low-speed accidents have the chance of inflicting serious effects on a driver.
Spinal cord injuries are a major example of how a simple break can result in a lifetime of recovery and rehabilitation.
SCI accident statistics
Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of SCIs according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. They are responsible for around 38.6% of SCIs in a 2020 report. Injuries to the spinal cord may result in loss of feeling, numbness or even paralysis. The most frequent neurological category of SCI is incomplete tetraplegia. Incomplete tetraplegia refers to the partial loss of feeling and motor control throughout the body.
Costs and recovery
Victims of an SCI, even when the injury is minor, may see long hospital stays and longer recovery times. These can last for weeks or months, resulting in a loss of wages and productivity. Average yearly expenses range between $375,196 to $1.14 million, depending on the severity of the SCI.
Other costs may include accessibility devices such as wheelchairs or ramp renovations on a home.
Other impacts of an SCI
Apart from the physical effects and financial costs, many experience higher rates of depression. All of this combines into a considerable impact on a person.
When a motor vehicle accident is the result of negligence, victims may have compensation options. SCIs pose a high financial burden on people and it is important to understand the unique details of a car accident injury case to determine these options.