If you suffered a spinal cord injury (SCI) from a truck accident, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit against the truck carrier involved in the wreck. Your case must establish how the accident and your injuries affect your life. The value of your case depends on the financial, emotional, and physical effects of your injuries.
How Can a Spinal Cord Injury Affect Your Life?
Spinal cord injuries are catastrophic injuries that can be life-threatening and can change life as you knew it. Some people even suffer full or partial paralysis from the neck or waist down. Your long-term outcome will depend on many factors, which can include:
- The severity of your spinal cord injury.
- Whether you have a complete or an incomplete spinal cord injury.
- The level of the spine at which your injury occurred.
- Your level of sensation and function.
Some patients with spinal cord injuries also experience secondary problems related to their SCI, including:
- Difficulty breathing
- Bladder and bowel function issues
- Impaired sexual function
- Inability to regulate body temperature
- Pressure ulcers
- Blood clots
- Pain and suffering
- Depression
Beyond proving the medical and physical effects of your SCI, your lawsuit must establish the financial effects as well. For example, many SCI patients experience significant medical and surgical bills in the first year after their injury and must contend with ongoing medical expenses for the rest of their life.
Patients may also be unable to return to work or may be unable to return to their previous position and salary, reducing their earning capacity. Patients may also be unable to perform regular chores and must hire others to perform them instead. Any SCI lawsuit must establish these and other effects with evidence like expert testimony, medical records, and more.
What Damages Are Recoverable for an SCI From a Truck Accident?
Given the severe nature of a spinal cord injury, your list of damages is likely lengthy:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Long-term medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Lower earning potential
- Loss of promotion
- Loss of benefits
- Disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Daily or ongoing assistive care
- Modifications to your home (wheelchair ramps, lift from bed, tub/shower lift, stair lifts, access ramps)
- Specialized equipment (wheelchair, breathing equipment, therapy equipment)
- Adaptive vehicle
We will dive into the details of your case, explore all of your injury’s effects, identify all damages, and value your case appropriately. Call Max at 425-399-7000 to set up a consultation about your case and its value.
How Are Spinal Cord Injury Lawsuits from Truck Accidents Unique?
Truck accident lawsuits are unique in that several parties could be involved. The truck driver and the company that employs the driver could be liable. Also, different laws and regulations apply to the trucking industry. For example, truck companies may be able to destroy evidence after a certain amount of time, so it is important to act quickly to preserve evidence.
We will investigate the crash to establish the truck driver’s or truck carrier’s negligence and identify the parties who may be liable. In addition to obtaining the police report, we will get records from the trucking company, including the onboard recording device, and any applicable government agencies.
To prove your medical injuries, we will retrieve and review your medical records and secure expert testimony to establish the extent of your injuries and how they affect your life.
If you suffered a spinal cord injury from a truck accident that was not your fault, call Max Meyers for help filing a lawsuit. Call us at 425-399-7000 to set up a consultation. There is no obligation, and we will not charge you any legal fees until you recover compensation.
