What Happens When a Car Accident Causes Paralysis? Legal Options for Atlanta Families

When a spinal cord injury results from another driver’s negligence, families may be able to file a spinal cord injury claim to pursue compensation for these losses. Understanding the legal options available to you, along with how spinal cord injury claims are evaluated and what to expect during the process, can help you protect your rights and access the resources you need.

Permanent paralysis can occur when the spinal cord and/or associated nerve fibers are damaged in an accident, resulting in the partial or complete loss of muscle movement and sensation. The severity of paralysis depends on the location and extent of the spinal cord injury. Quadriplegia, or tetraplegia, involves loss of movement and sensation in both the arms and legs, which can affect the torso and respiratory functions as well.

Paraplegia affects the muscle function of the legs and lower body, sometimes with partial involvement of the trunk. Incomplete paralysis results in partial loss of motor function or sensation, which may improve with treatment but still carries long-term limitations for a person’s nervous system. A person can suffer from conditions ranging from neurological disorders to issues with blood pressure and bowel and bladder control after a spinal cord injury.

Car accidents are among the leading causes of paralysis, particularly high-speed collisions, rollovers, side-impact crashes, and accidents involving commercial vehicles. Even with seat belts and airbags, spinal cord injuries can occur due to the sheer force of impact.

If a loved one sustains spinal trauma in a car accident, taking immediate action is important for both medical and legal reasons. Prompt treatment can prevent further damage and may include specialized care such as imaging, surgery, or spinal stabilization. Families should also document the accident carefully, including police reports, witness statements, and photos of the scene or vehicle damage, as these details can be invaluable evidence to support a paralysis and spinal cord injury claim.

Preserving medical records is equally important, as detailed documentation of traumatic spinal cord injuries, along with treatment and prognosis, helps establish the link between the accident and the spinal injury. Consulting a spinal cord injury attorney early in your case ensures you understand your rights, are evaluating damages accurately, and are taking the proper steps to file a spinal cord injury claim.

A spinal cord injury claim involving paralysis is a type of personal injury lawsuit specifically addressing the severe consequences of spinal cord injuries caused by negligence. To succeed, the claim must show that another party’s actions or failure to act directly caused the paralysis.

Proving liability involves demonstrating that the other driver or responsible party acted negligently, whether through reckless driving, DUI, distracted driving, or failure to follow traffic laws. Causation must also be established, typically through medical records, expert testimony, and sometimes accident reconstruction.

Spinal injuries resulting in paralysis can affect every aspect of a person’s life. Extensive medical care is often required, including hospital stays, surgeries, and ongoing therapy. Lifestyle adjustments may be necessary, such as wheelchair accessibility, personal care assistance, and adaptive equipment.

Paralysis often prevents individuals from returning to work, creating long-term financial strain for both the injured person and their family. Emotional and social effects, including depression, anxiety, and changes in family dynamics, are common following a catastrophic spinal cord injury. A well-prepared spinal cord injury claim accounts for the victim’s immediate and future needs, ensuring the family receives enough compensation to address these lifelong challenges.

Many families initially rely on insurance to cover medical bills and other damages for physical therapy and other treatments for a spinal cord injury, but these settlements often fall short of covering the full impact. Working with a skilled spinal cord injury attorney ensures that damages are accurately calculated, taking into account both current and future medical costs, lost earnings, rehabilitation, and long-term care needs. Legal counsel also negotiates with insurance companies to advocate for fair compensation and can pursue litigation if necessary.

A catastrophic spinal cord injury involving paralysis requires an experienced attorney to manage the medical documentation, coordinate with experts to calculate both economic and non-economic damages, and guide families through procedural requirements and deadlines. They negotiate with insurance companies and, when necessary, represent clients in court to ensure that victims receive full and fair compensation for the long-term effects of their injury.

At The Dixon Firm, we understand how overwhelming a spinal cord injury can be for both the injured individual and their family. We help Atlanta families assess liability, gather evidence, and build strong claims. Our team coordinates with medical experts to document the injury, calculates comprehensive damages, and provides support throughout negotiations or litigation.