A car crash can change everything in a matter of seconds. When the force of a collision strikes the spine, the result can be a spinal cord injury that strips away movement, sensation, and independence, leaving victims and their families to navigate a devastating new reality. According to the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of spinal cord injury in the United States, accounting for nearly 38% of all new cases each year.
When you or someone you love is facing a spinal cord injury from a Pennsylvania car accident, you need a legal team that understands the full weight of what is at stake. Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. is a knowledgeable, AV-Rated law firm recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Law Firm every year since 2010. With offices in Colmar and Newtown, PA, our car accident lawyers are prepared to help you fight for the compensation your injury demands.
What Types of Spinal Cord Injuries Can Result From a Car Accident?
Spinal cord injuries fall into two broad categories, and the distinction can have significant implications for your recovery and your case. Understanding the difference between a complete and incomplete injury is an important first step after an accident.
Complete vs. Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
A complete spinal cord injury results in the total loss of motor function and sensation below the point of damage. An incomplete injury means some degree of function or feeling remains below the injury site. Both types can cause long-term or permanent disability, require extensive medical care, and dramatically alter a person’s quality of life.
How Do Car Accidents Cause Spinal Cord Injuries?
The spine is vulnerable to severe trauma during a crash. High-impact collisions, rollovers, and rear-end accidents can all subject the neck and back to forces that the spinal column is not designed to withstand. These forces may fracture vertebrae, rupture discs, or compress spinal cord tissue, causing lasting damage.
The cervical spine (neck region) is particularly susceptible in car accidents. Injuries to this area can result in whiplash or more severe conditions such as quadriplegia. Lower-spine injuries involving the thoracic or lumbar regions may cause paraplegia, loss of bladder and bowel control, or chronic nerve pain.
What Compensation Can You Seek After a Spinal Cord Injury in Pennsylvania?
Spinal cord injuries carry enormous financial and personal costs. Victims may pursue personal injury claims in Pennsylvania to recover damages that reflect the full scope of their losses. Pennsylvania does not cap economic damages, which means there is no legal limit on what you can recover for documented financial losses.
Damages in a spinal cord injury case may include the following:
- Medical Expenses: Costs for emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment
- Lost Wages: Income lost during recovery, as well as future earning capacity if the injury prevents returning to work
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life
- Home and Vehicle Modifications: Costs associated with making your living space and transportation accessible
When a defendant’s conduct was especially reckless or egregious, Pennsylvania courts may also allow punitive damages. Pennsylvania courts caution, however, that punitive damages should bear a reasonable relation to the compensatory award, and amounts exceeding nine times the compensatory damages would be a questionable result.
Why Does Acting Quickly After a Spinal Cord Injury Matter?
Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline can permanently bar you from recovering any compensation, no matter how severe the injury. Evidence also degrades over time, and witness recollections fade, making prompt action critical to building a strong case.
In addition to the legal timeline, early legal representation can help protect your rights from the moment you begin dealing with insurance companies. Insurers frequently attempt to minimize payouts on high-value claims like spinal cord injury cases. Having knowledgeable counsel early can prevent costly mistakes.
Get Help With Your Pennsylvania Car Accident Spinal Cord Injury Claim Today
Spinal cord injuries from Pennsylvania car accidents involve complex medical evidence, high-stakes insurance negotiations, and significant long-term financial consequences. This blog has outlined how these injuries occur, the types of damages available under Pennsylvania law, and why acting quickly matters when pursuing your claim.
If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident in Montgomery County, Bucks County, or the surrounding southeastern Pennsylvania communities, the legal team at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. is ready to help. Reach out through our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation. In personal injury cases, we work on a contingency basis, meaning there are no fees unless we recover for you.
