Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries in Car Crashes

While some people are lucky to walk away from a car accident with a few cuts and bruises, many accident victims suffer catastrophic injuries. Among them, spinal cord injuries are extremely debilitating, and often result in permanent paralysis. In this situation, you will need an experienced Miami Springs car accident lawyer in order to obtain the fair compensation you deserve for spinal cord injuries in a car crash.

In this article, we will discuss all the important aspects accident victims need to know about getting compensation for spinal cord injuries.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries and Their Effects

Spinal cord injuries produce different symptoms and have different outcomes depending on the affected area of the spine and the severity of the injury. Specialists differentiate between:

• Incomplete injury – if the victim retains some feeling and control over body parts below the injured area, then the injury is incomplete. The degree of the injury varies, based on how many nerves remain intact and functioning.
• Complete injury – the patient experienced complete loss of feeling and control below the injury site. In this case, the patient suffered from complete spinal cord injury.

The most severe consequence of injuries to the spinal cord is paralysis, which represents permanent and total loss of feeling and control of movement. Depending on the area of the spinal cord injured in the car crash, paralysis is classified as:

• Paraplegia – the patient loses feeling and control over the legs, pelvic organs and parts of the trunk.
• Tetraplegia (also known as quadriplegia) – the entire body below the neck is affected by paralysis.

Why Are Accident Claim Settlements for Spinal Cord Injuries So High?

If you search for average settlements for car accident spinal cord injuries, you will often see amounts in the range of million of dollars. These high amounts are justified by the fact that accident victims are often left unable to work and in need of nursing care for the rest of their life.

For example, according to NSCISC, the average 25 year-old American who suffers a spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia will incur lifetime costs estimated at $2.5 million, with a life expectancy of 65. However, this estimate is extremely conservative, because it does not take into account the lost wages and loss of earning potential, especially in the case of a highly educated and trained individual.

Types of Damages Available for Spinal Cord Injuries after a Car Crash

An experienced Miami Springs car accident lawyer will always seek the maximum compensation available to car crash victims who suffered spinal cord injuries. The person’s life will often change completely, from a vibrant and active life to dependency on others for every simple activity, such as bathing and grooming.

Under the comparative negligence principle now applicable to car accident claims in Florida, you have the right to obtain compensation not only from your own PIP coverage, but also from the other driver’s insurance.

This option will allow the attorney to calculate and demand damages for:

• All current and future medical care costs
• All current and future physical therapy, rehabilitation, counseling and nursing care costs
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of enjoyment of life

These represent economic and non-economic damages. If the lawyer can find clear and conclusive evidence indicating that the driver who caused your accident acted with gross negligence or willful intent, they may recommend filing a lawsuit against them and demanding punitive damages.

These damages are capped at the larger amount between $500,000 and three times the amount of economic and non-economic damages.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Skilled Miami Springs Car Crash Attorney!

If you suffered spinal cord injuries in a car crash, you are probably struggling to adapt to a new life with drastic limitations. You also wonder how your family will fare and be able to support themselves without your contribution.

This is exactly why we are here for you. An experienced Miami Springs auto accident lawyer will always be on the victim’s side, advocating for their rights of fair compensation for their economic damages and immense pain and suffering.

So get in touch with Miami Lawyers 360 as soon as possible after your car crash and schedule a free case evaluation at 786-686-2857!