New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Any injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident to either the spine or the neck can result in lifelong, crippling injuries. In suspected spinal cord injuries, seek immediate medical attention and speak to an experienced New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury Motorcycle Accident Attorney at the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm.

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), the most recent estimate of the number of spinal cord injuries (SCI) in the United States is about 54 cases per one million Americans, or roughly 17,900 cases every year. Approximately 296,000 individuals are living with SCI in the nation, with about 78 percent of new cases, since 2015, involving males.

An SCI can be debilitating and result in enormous lifetime costs for survivors. The most encountered category of neurological impairment is incomplete tetraplegia. Tetraplegia, also referred to as quadriplegia, is the inability to move the upper and lower parts of the body. This paralysis may also include the head, neck, and shoulders.

Common Injuries in a Motorcycle Accident

Depending on the nature of the spinal cord injury after a motorcycle accident, a motorcyclist may experience the following symptoms:

• Temporary immobility or permanent paralysis
• Herniated discs
• Lumbar sprains
• Spinal stenosis
• Dislocated facet joints
• Inflamed joints
• Shoulder, neck, or back pain
• Severe leg and/or arm pain
• Numb feet, arms, legs, hands
• Facet joint fracture of the joints located between each vertebra
• Vertigo
• Migraines
• Vocal cord paralysis
• Headaches
• A burning sensation in the back of the neck
• Muscle weakness
• Swelling, redness, bruising, or an inflamed back or neck
• Inability to lift lightweight objects
• Torn cartilage between joints

Incomplete and Complete Spine Injuries

The higher up the spinal column an injury is sustained the more damage results. Each case is considered complete or incomplete based on the evaluation of motion and feeling below the injury. 

Incomplete injuries mean nerve communication in the spine is partially in place, and the brain receives messages. A complete injury often means the motorcycle crash survivor cannot feel anything below the injury site. In some instances, surgery may help. Each case is different, as are the injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash. Spinal cord injury patients may help healing by using advanced care products such as electrical stimulation, rehabilitation, and epidural stimulation.

Spinal Cord Injury Locations and Outcomes

The treatment protocol for spinal injuries varies according to the location of the injury. The higher the injury, the worse the outcome. C1-C4 vertebrae are the most severe, with the survivor requiring around-the-clock care. They may have quadriplegia, need help to breathe, not communicate or cough, and not have gut or bowel control.

A C5-C8 vertebrae injury may affect the nervous system controlling arms and hands. There may be complete or partial paralysis in the hands, torso, or limbs, it requires a major effort to breathe and talk, and there is little or no bowel or bladder control.

T1-T5 injuries affect muscles in the middle of the back and abdominal area and upper neck. The arms and hands may remain normal. This may result in paraplegia.

T6-T12 injuries often result in paraplegia of the lower body, leaving the body’s upper portion functioning normally. Bladder and bladder control are not consistent, or there may be no control.

Injuries in the L1-L5 area affect the lower limbs. They may not function correctly, and there is no bladder or bowel control. 

Injuries in the S1-S5 area may affect the lower limbs. There is no bowel or bladder control. However, a patient may be able to walk.

Life Changes After a Spinal Cord Injury

It takes a team of people to help a spinal cord injury survivor after a motorcycle accident. Your Todd J. Leonard Law Firm attorney may hire life care planners to outline the future and predict ongoing medical needs, such as medical care, various tests, psychological assessment, counseling, medication, and rehabilitation.

Your spinal cord injury attorney will factor in the possible costs of adaptive medical devices, remodeling your home’s interior, determining what kind of transportation you would need, care in an institution if at-home care is not feasible, medical and personal in-home care, and consumable medical products.

Contact the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm Today

If you or a loved one were involved in a motorcycle accident and sustained a spinal cord injury, call the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm immediately. Filing a personal injury lawsuit may assist you in recovering your medical expenses. Your Todd J. Leonard Motorcycle Accident Lawyer can also seek to recover other forms of compensation, such as pain and suffering, and lost wages and income. 

Our are here to help you recover from your accident. We make sure you are informed so you can make the best decision for yourself and your family. 

At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, we have counseled and represented motorcycle accident victims for more than 30 years. We have significant experience obtaining maximum financial compensation for your injuries. Our firm can help you recover the damages you need to get your life back on track after suffering a serious car accident injury.

Contact us for a free, confidential consultation today at (973) 920-7900. There is no risk in calling because we never charge a fee unless we can help you recover compensation for your injuries. You can also connect with us through our online form. We have two conveniently located offices in Denville and Morristown, New Jersey.