Spinal Cord and Paralysis Injuries
Spinal Cord and Paralysis Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents in Delaware
Experienced personal injury attorneys with more than 100 years of combined legal experience helping injured clients in Seaford, Wilmington and Newark, DE
The lack of any kind of protection for a biker’s body while riding a motorcycle puts them at tremendous risk of sever injury in the event of a motorcycle accident. Spinal cord injury can occur when a motorcycle rider is thrown from their bike during a crash, and whether or not they will suffer with paralysis following the injury depends largely on the severity of the accident and the location of the injury. The rider can emerge with cuts and bruises, broken bones, and severe back pain or with a severe injury they could emerge completely paralyzed.
The experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at the Wilmington, Seaford and Newark law offices of Silverman, McDonald & Friedman in Delaware understand what a devastating impact paralysis can have on a once healthy and vibrant person’s life. Spinal cord injuries often require ongoing medical care for the injured rider, they may need modifications to their home and special medical equipment and care for the rest of their lives. Our attorneys determine who is at fault in the accident and make sure that the liable party is held responsible for your injuries and ongoing care.
Spinal cord injuries
About 24 percent of spinal cord injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents, which includes motorcycle accidents. The approximately 1,275,000 spinal cord injury cases account for about 23 percent of paralysis injuries. The cost of spinal cord injury over the course of a lifetime can be estimated to range from $681,843 to more than $3 million for a 25 year old according to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation for spinal cord research.
A spinal cord injury often results from a traumatic blow to the spine that breaks the vertebrae causing fragments of bone to tear into spinal cord tissue. Some spinal cord injuries will heal and the patient will recover completely, while others will result in complete paralysis according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Paralysis injuries after a motorcycle accident
According to the National Institutes of Health, there is a range of severity of paralysis injuries that physicians will assess using the standard ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) impairment scale. This scale has five levels, which range from the complete loss of neural function in the affected area to completely normal function:
- Complete impairment with no sensory function below the level of injury
- Complete impairment with sensory function but no motor function
- Incomplete impairment with motor function but loss of muscle strength
- Incomplete impairment with some motor function
- Normal motor function
The location of the spinal cord injury is a significant factor with regard to whether or not paralysis will occur and the extent of the paralysis.
When an injury occurs in the neck, quadriplegia (paralysis of the arms and legs) can be the result. Quadriplegia can have associated complications such as respiratory problems along with bladder and bowel dysfunction.
Paraplegia (paralysis affecting the legs) can be the result of blunt trauma to the lower back. It can lead to complications involving blood clots and bedsores, because of the victim’s confinement to a wheelchair.
Compensation for victims of paralysis
The knowledgeable attorneys at the law firm of Silverman, McDonald & Friedman represent those who have become paralyzed after a serious motorcycle crash. We fight for the maximum compensation available that will cover all expenses associated with paralysis injuries including the following:
- Current and future medical expenses related to the injury
- Rehabilitation
- Wheelchairs, braces, and other assistive devices
- Retro-fitting the home
- Medical equipment
- Nursing services
- Additional expenses
With more than 100 years of combined legal experience and multiple office locations in Seaford, Newark and Wilmington, our motorcycle accident lawyers can anticipate your needs and be responsive to them. Often future complications can occur after the initial injury seems to have stabilized. The injured person will likely not be able to return to work, and if they can, they may not be able to do what they did before the accident. We make sure that they can get compensation for lost wages and for diminished earning capacity in the future.
Contact our skilled motorcycle accident attorneys to schedule a consultation today
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury or paralysis in a motorcycle accident, we would be eager to discuss your case. At the law firm of Silverman McDonald & Friedman, we have the answers you are looking for along with a commitment to seek the maximum compensation possible for you. Please fill out our contact form, or call us at 302-888-2900 to schedule a no-obligation consultation. We provide competent legal representation to our clients throughout Delaware. We have offices in Wilmington, Seaford, and Newark.