Spinal Cord Injuries in Car Accidents

When a car traveling at a high rate of speed is involved in a collision, the impact can cause devastating trauma, including spinal cord injuries. An injury to your spine can result in lifelong impairment, lost wages, and considerable pain and suffering. If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident, you can consult legal counsel to discuss whether you may be able to assert a claim against the party responsible for your harm. The seasoned Cape Cod car accident lawyers of the Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, have been assisting injured people in the pursuit of damages for over fifteen decades collectively. We are proficient at litigating cases in the Massachusetts courts, and we vigorously pursue any compensation our clients may be owed. Our diligent advocacy has enabled us to recover numerous multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts for our injured clients.

Spinal cord injuries are generally caused by a blunt force that causes part of the vertebrae, disc, or ligaments to damage or tear the spinal cord. Often this occurs when one car hits another at a fast speed, or when a car rolls over. Spinal cord injuries can also be caused by mechanical failures, such as a malfunctioning seatbelt or a defect in the tires or brakes that causes the car to crash.

The spinal cord is the core part of the central nervous system, and spinal cord injuries can affect movement and functioning throughout the body. Thus, any suspected injury to the spinal cord needs to be treated immediately. Spinal cord injuries are either incomplete or complete. An incomplete injury may cause numbness and tingling and some degree of loss of function and movement in the parts of the body located below the affected portion of the spine. Conversely, when an injury is complete, the injured person will be paralyzed in the areas below the injury and will lose any feeling or ability to move in those areas.

Most car accidents are caused to some degree by careless or reckless acts. Thus, most lawsuits arising out of car accidents allege that the defendant was negligent. In Massachusetts, to prove a negligence claim in a car accident case, the plaintiff must prove that he or she was owed a duty of care from the defendant and that the defendant breached the duty. The plaintiff must then establish that the breach caused the accident, and the accident caused the plaintiff to suffer actual harm.

In many cases, the negligence of multiple parties will combine to cause an accident, and there may be more than one defendant. Additionally, a defendant may try to evade liability by arguing that the plaintiff caused the accident, and therefore, the plaintiff should not be awarded damages. Even if a plaintiff is partially at fault for causing an accident, however, damages may still be awarded, as long as the plaintiff's fault does not exceed fifty percent. Any damages awarded will be reduced proportionately to the plaintiff’s fault. Determining who is at fault for a car collision can be a complex process, and it is prudent for anyone injured in a car accident to consult an attorney to discuss potential claims.

A spinal cord injury can cause lasting physical and economic consequences. If you suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident, you can meet with an experienced attorney to discuss your options for recouping damages. The skilled legal team at the Law Offices of John C. Manoog, III, have assisted many injured people in the pursuit of damages and have the skills and experience to help you determine what your next steps should potentially be. We proudly maintain a record of successful outcomes, with many damages awards in the millions. We assist parties in lawsuits in Cape Cod and are available for consultations in Hyannis and Plymouth. You can reach us at 888-262-6664 or via our form online to schedule a meeting. Nós Falamos Português.