Paralysis from Motor Vehicle Accidents

Phoenix Injury Lawyers for Paralysis from Auto Accidents

According to reported estimates, 12,000-15,000 people suffer paralysis injuries every year. Of these, more than half are permanently paralyzed.

Paralysis is one of the most devastating injuries that can occur from a car accident. Paralysis is a life-altering injury that can cause severe stress on the victim and the victim's family. A victim's career and personal relationships may be permanently changed. Paralysis can cause severe pain and suffering as well as cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills and lost wages.

Due to the high cost of paralysis injuries, insurance companies will try hard to limit their liability. Therefore, it is important that paralysis victims have someone on their side to protect their rights and ensure they receive full and fair compensation. If you or someone you love has been paralyzed in a car accident, contact Solomon and Relihan. We are Phoenix injury attorneys with more than 30 years experience helping accident victims in Maricopa County and throughout Arizona.

About Paralysis

Paralysis is typically caused by a spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injury occurs when trauma damages the vertebrae or the spinal cord, making it impossible for the brain to communicate with the parts of the body. Generally, the higher in the spinal column the trauma occurs, the more dysfunction a person will experience.

Generally, there are two types of paralysis from a spinal cord injury:

• Paraplegia - Impairment of the motor and/or sensory functions of the lower extremities. Typically, paraplegics have full use of their arms and upper body, but limited or no use below their waist, including their legs.

• Quadriplegia - Impairment of the motor and/or sensory functions in all four extremities. Quadriplegics have limited or no use of all four limbs, though not necessarily complete paralysis in all four limbs.

Effects of Paralysis

Paralysis can have severe consequences for the victim and the victim's family. Paralysis victims may not be able to return to their previous employment or participate in many activities that they did before, and they also usually require long-term physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other medical treatment. Structural alterations may need to be made to the family home, such as wheelchair ramps, widened doorways, lowered sinks, and installation of assistive devices to allow the injured person to move and door things around the home. Permanent care may also be necessary, either from professional caregivers or family members.

All this makes a paralysis injury extremely taxing, both financially and emotionally. Victims and their families need protection so that insurance companies do not increase that financial and emotional burden by denying victims the compensation they need and deserve.

Contact Solomon & Relihan, Arizona Auto Accident Lawyers

If you or someone you love has been paralyzed in rollover, roof-crush, or other type of motor vehicle accident, it is best to talk with an attorney. For a free initial consultation with a lawyer, contact our Phoenix law firm by e-mail or by telephone at 602-635-1532. For your convenience, home and hospital visits are available upon request.