Call for FREE Legal Advice: (401) 273-8330
phone
spine x-rays after a car accident | Mandell, Boisclair and Mandell, Ltd.
January 26, 2023

Paralysis After a Car Accident

Those who suffer paralysis after a car accident face a multitude of challenges. For most, life is never the same. Unlike some parts of the body, the spinal cord does not have the ability to repair itself after it is injured. Once the spinal cord is severed, crushed, or damaged, the injury leaves lasting effects. The paralytic effects of spinal trauma can be permanent.

The knowledgeable attorneys at At Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd., have extensive experience helping clients who have suffered paralysis and other spinal cord injuries after a car accident. If you or a loved one were hurt because of someone else’s negligence, we can explain your rights and legal options during a FREE initial consultation.

If you are experiencing signs or symptoms of paralysis after a car accident, what does this mean for you? 

It Is Important to Seek Medical and Legal Advice After a Serious Car Accident 

Because trauma-induced paralysis is most often permanent, doctors and medical scientists have developed several tools and treatment modalities to help car accident victims cope with their conditions. 

Long-term care for paralysis can be expensive, and even coping effectively doesn’t necessarily mean living a normal life. As a result, along with seeing a spine trauma specialist, it will also be important for you to speak with a lawyer about your legal rights. An attorney will look at the many ways your life has been impacted by the injury and determine the full value of your economic and non-economic losses. Without the assistance of an experienced lawyer, you may settle for far less than you need and deserve.

Prompt Diagnosis and Treatment Can Mitigate the Effects of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries

As with most types of injuries, seeking prompt treatment for spinal cord damage can help mitigate the risk of long-term consequences. In many cases, the effects of spinal trauma will worsen over time. In these scenarios, prompt medical intervention can lessen certain irreversible effects. Even if a car accident victim’s spinal trauma is already irreversible, prompt intervention could still help mitigate the extent of his or her paralysis. With this in mind, car accident victims who are experiencing the following signs and symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible:

  • Loss of mobility or muscle control 
  • Loss of sensation 
  • Muscle cramps
  • Numbness 
  • Tingling (or a “pins and needles” sensation) 
  • Bladder and bowel difficulties

How Will You Know if Your Paralysis is Temporary or Permanent? 

Determining whether paralysis is likely to be temporary or permanent involves examining the nature and extent of a car accident victim’s spinal trauma. Doctors know that certain types of injuries are highly likely to cause permanent paralysis; and, with some types of injuries, there is simply no known cure. When recovery is possible, assessing the likelihood that a car accident victim will be able to regain mobility involves monitoring his or her progress and continuing to gradually introduce new movements and exercises during physical and rehabilitative therapy. 

There are stories of patients being told that they will never walk again only to prove their doctors wrong. However, for each one of these stories, there are many more in which the doctor’s prognosis proves to be correct.

As a result, when recovery from a traumatic spinal cord injury appears possible, cautious optimism is generally best. Spinal trauma victims should do everything they can to recover, but they should also acknowledge the realities of the circumstances at hand—and they should approach their situations accordingly. Among other things, this means anticipating long-term effects, and it means working with an experienced personal injury lawyer to seek appropriate compensation for long-term medical expenses, lost earnings, lost enjoyment of life, and other forms of financial and non-financial loss.

What If the Paralysis After a Car Accident Isn’t Temporary?

If the paralysis isn’t temporary, you will need to focus your efforts on learning how best to live with your condition. Regardless of whether you are partially or fully paralyzed, this won’t be easy. However, it is possible to cope; there are professionals and resources that can help. At Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd., we are passionate about helping spinal cord injury victims, and we have helped many individuals facing difficult situations. To learn more, schedule a free consultation today.

Contact a Providence Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer for FREE

The Providence spinal cord injury lawyers at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd. know the medicine and law involved in these complex cases. We help car accident victims in Rhode Island fight to recover the maximum compensation they deserve for their physical, financial, and emotional losses.

Our results speak for themselves.

If you would like to speak with a lawyer in confidence, please call (401) 273-8330 or contact us online to arrange a FREE consultation.