Motorcycle Injury Types We Handle in Phoenix
Spinal Cord Injuries from Phoenix Motorcycle Accidents
There’s no such thing as a minor spinal cord injury. Even minimal damage to your spine in a motorcycle crash can cause severe pain, affect your movement and coordination, or lead to paralysis. Moreover, these effects are often permanent, in which case you might need ongoing care, and your career might suffer. You’ll need legal help to identify who caused the crash, document your injuries, and recover fair compensation.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
Doctors use several methods to classify spinal cord injuries. One approach is to judge the injury based on its severity:
- Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury – With this type of injury, the spinal cord is only partially damaged. That means some movement or sensation may be possible below the injured area. Recovery is more likely with incomplete injuries, though it depends on many factors specific to individual patients.
- Complete Spinal Cord Injury – This occurs when the spinal cord is fully severed, cutting off all feeling and movement below the injury site. These injuries often result in paraplegia (paralysis of the legs and lower body) or quadriplegia/tetraplegia (paralysis of all four limbs and the torso).
Another way to categorize spinal cord injuries is by where the injury occurred along the spine:
- Cervical Spine (Neck) – Injuries at the uppermost part of the spine are the most severe. They can affect people’s arms, legs, and even their ability to breathe independently.
- Thoracic Spine (Upper and Mid-Back) – Damage in this area of the spine can impact the chest, abdominal muscles, and lower body, often leading to paraplegia.
- Lumbar Spine (Lower Back) – These injuries may affect the hips and legs, but patients usually retain movement and function in the arms and chest.
- Sacral Spine (Pelvic Area) – Injuries here can affect the hips, groin, and bladder control but may leave leg movement intact.
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Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries in Motorcycle Crashes
Motorcycle riders and passengers are more likely to suffer spinal cord injuries in a crash because they’re more exposed than people in cars. Some common causes of spinal cord injuries in motorcycle accidents include:
- Suffering Direct Impact with a Vehicle – A car or truck striking a rider can compress or fracture the rider’s spine on impact.
- Being Ejected from the Motorcycle – Riders thrown from their bike often land hard, and the impact force may be enough to injure the spine.
- Colliding at High-Speeds – Crashes at high speeds involve greater impact forces, increasing the risk of a spinal cord injury.
- Getting Pinned or Crushed – A rider’s back can be crushed if they’re trapped between vehicles or pinned under their motorcycle.
- Sliding Across Pavement – Long slides after a collision can twist the spine or cause violent jolts when the rider hits an obstacle.
Long-Term Effects of Spinal Cord Injuries
One factor that makes spinal cord injuries so catastrophic is that they often cause long-term harm. The long-term effects of a spinal cord injury can include:
- Loss of feeling or sensation below the injury site
- Chronic pain or nerve pain
- Muscle weakness or complete loss of muscle control
- Difficulty breathing without assistance
- Bladder and bowel control problems
- Sexual dysfunction
- Muscle spasms or uncontrollable movements
- Pressure sores from limited movement
- Greater risk of infections like pneumonia or urinary tract infections
- Depression, anxiety, or emotional challenges
Potential Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries
It’s crucial to work with a lawyer if you want to recover maximum compensation for a spinal cord injury. With proper legal support, your motorcycle accident claim could include compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income and reduced future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Damaged personal property
Deadline to File an Arizona Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
You only have two years after a motorcycle accident to file a lawsuit in Arizona. Waiting to talk to a motorcycle accident attorney could jeopardize your compensation because crucial evidence can disappear. It’s critical to speak to a lawyer about your case immediately.
Contact a Phoenix Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
The period after a motorcycle accident can be fraught with stress and anxiety, on top of the challenges associated with medical treatment and the healing process. Let Law Tigers make the process more straightforward by handling every detail of your claim. Contact a Phoenix motorcycle accident attorney today to share your story and learn about your legal rights and options.