Key Takeaways:
- Paralysis can lead to life-long complications and have a serious impact on a car accident victim’s life.
- A person can suffer either a partial or total paralysis injury in a car accident, leaving them with a physical disability and emotional grief due to their loss of mobility.
- Obtaining care for a paralysis injury can cost millions throughout a person’s lifetime.
- Working with a knowledgeable Michigan car accident attorney can help you access the compensation you need for medical treatment, other expenses, and any assistive equipment.
In an instant, a car accident can shatter the rhythm of life, leaving you confused, scared, and in pain.
Every year, about 5.4 million people suffer a level of paralysis in the U.S. This equates to approximately 1 in 50 Americans who are partially or fully paralyzed in car accidents every year.
Paralysis can lead to life-long complications and dramatically shorten your life expectancy. Getting fair compensation after a Michigan car accident is crucial for recovery and peace of mind.
If you’ve been paralyzed in a car accident, contact Matz Injury Law for a free consultation to learn what we can do for you. You focus on healing. We’ll focus on getting you the money you need.
How Does Paralysis Occur Due to a Car Crash?
If you or a loved one suffers a spinal cord injury (SCI) in a car accident, it can result in different types of paralysis, including quadriplegia, hemiplegia, and monoplegia.
The cause of spinal cord injuries in car accidents is usually the impact of the crash. This impact causes the back’s vertebra to break, the spinal cord to partially tear or be severed, or bruised tissues to press on the spine. Any of these injuries can lead to complete or incomplete paralysis in parts of the body or even one side of the body.
Paralysis symptoms include:
- Immobility
- Trouble breathing
- Loss of sensation
- Numbness
- A feeling of “pins and needles” or tingling sensation
- Inability to control bodily functions (e.g., bowel control)
What Compensation Can You Recover if You Are Paralyzed in a Car Accident?
Adapting to life after paralysis involves many costs, including hospitalizations, surgeries, medical bills, physical therapy, occupational therapy, personal support services, home and car modifications, wheelchairs, assistive devices, and other injury-related expenses.
It can be hard to quantify how much daily living will cost before factoring in other costs, such as lost wages, benefits, and diminished future earnings. Another important consideration is the costs associated with quality of life, including but not limited to:
- Physical pain
- Social isolation
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of consortium
Consulting with a knowledgeable Michigan car accident lawyer who has experience with spinal cord injury cases can help determine the overall costs you might have in the years after your injury occurs.
Your lawyer can examine the available insurance policies and calculate the compensation you should receive. They can then also look into other legal avenues if insurance does not cover your injuries and how they have affected your life.
What Are the Potential Long-Term Effects of Being Paralyzed in an Accident?
The decrease or loss of mobility is a primary long-term effect of paralysis occurring in a motor vehicle accident, which can significantly impact their physical and emotional health. Car accident victims who sustain a paralysis injury often experience mental anguish, social isolation, depression, and other emotional health issues directly resulting from the loss of their mobility.
With proper support, people who become paralyzed can learn to adapt and live an active, fulfilling life. However, this typically means having the financial means to access the medical and emotional support you may need and make any necessary adaptations in your house.
Insurance companies often try to settle quickly and close a car accident paralysis case since they know how expensive recovery can be.
How Much Does Treatment For Paralysis Cost?
In terms of calculable costs, according to 2023 figures published by the National Spinal Cord Institution, the treatment costs of paralysis are as follows:
High Tetraplegia (C1–C4) AIS ABC
- First year: $1,369,755
- Each subsequent year: $237,862
- Lifetime costs of $6,077,646 when the age of injury is 25
- Lifetime costs age of $3,340,171 when the age of injury is 50
Low Tetraplegia (C5–C8) AIS ABC
- First year: $989,768
- Each subsequent year: $145,918
- Lifetime costs of $4,440,708 if the age of injury is 25
- Lifetime costs of $2,731,432 if the age of injury is 50
Paraplegia AIS ABC
- First year: $667,569
- Each subsequent year: $88,433
- Lifetime costs of $2,971,942 if the age of injury is 25
- Lifetime costs of $1,950,396 if the age of injury is 50
Motor Functional at Any Level AIS D
- First year: $447,037
- Each subsequent year: $54,298
- Lifetime costs of $2,030,446 if the age of injury is 25
- Lifetime costs of $1,433,145 if the age of injury is 50
Why Clients Choose Matz Injury Law
The compassionate and understanding attorneys at Matz Injury Law understand the devastation accident victims feel after suffering a serious injury, such as paralysis. We will remain by your side every step of the way.
Clients often select our Southfield law firm to represent them because they know they can depend upon us. Should you choose Matz, you can rest assured you will always work directly with your car accident attorney and have full access to us and transparency about your case.
We are here to support you during the aftermath of a car accident. A paralysis injury is traumatic, and you may feel scared and uncertain about the future. Our attorneys want to minimize any further emotional pain and stress.
We have several decades of experience traveling throughout Michigan’s lower and upper peninsulas to meet with our clients. We also offer virtual appointments so you don’t have to worry about arranging travel or making in-person meetings.
To date, we have won more than $300 million for the people we’ve represented.
Settlements
- $500,000 settlement for a 65-year-old woman suffering paraplegia in a contested liability accident
Testimonials
“Wow! What an amazing attorney, Mr. Steven Matz. His guidance & expertise set my family’s mind at ease & we are all forever grateful for such a wonderful person. Thanks again, Mr. Steven Matz. I wish I could give him 10 stars!” — Natasha S.
“Steve Matz was there when I needed him. Nobody expects to be a victim of a car accident, but when I found myself in that situation, it was overwhelming. Steve made everything easy. Steve did not accept the insurance company’s first offer. He held out and got me a better settlement. Steve is very kind and professional. I highly recommend Matz Injury Law.” — Sharon K.
Let Matz Injury Law Fight For Your Rightful Compensation
Our Southfield personal injury lawyers at Matz Injury Law are known for their willingness to go the extra mile for their clients. If you suffer paralysis or other accident injuries or have lost a loved one to wrongful death due to the negligence of another party, Matz can help.
We understand the pain you endure. While no amount of money can replace your losses, by offering legal advice and related services, we can help try to make life a little bit easier for you.
To schedule a free case review, call Matz Injury Law at 1-866-22Not33 or fill out our online contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is possible to become temporarily paralyzed after a motor vehicle accident. Recovery may require physical therapy, surgery, or both. In some cases, time can heal an injury and restore mobility gradually.
Paralysis injuries are usually worth the maximum amount allowed by the insurance policy. Usually, the records of your physical injuries and how they affect other aspects of your daily life are enough to demonstrate the extent of your injuries.
