Spinal Cord Injuries from Motorcycle Collision

Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to devastating head, neck, and spine injuries. Traumatic injuries to the neck or spine can cause life-altering consequences, the most significant being paralysis.

At Hardison & Cochran, we have over 40 years of legal experience helping North Carolina motorcycle crash victims handle the challenges of recovering the compensation they need to pay their medical expenses and other losses. We understand what makes motorcycle collision cases unique. From protecting you against unfair anti-motorcyclist bias to negotiating for maximum compensation and advocating for you, we know what it takes to build a comprehensive motorcycle case.

Take a look at our testimonials to discover more about what previous clients experienced when working with our law firm. For example, Lindsey B. wrote, “I would recommend Hardison & Cochran to everyone and use them again if/when I ever need them! Very professional. Great with communication and overall just get the job done! They answered any and all questions I had to the fullest extent and I was more than happy with my results!”

If you suffered a spinal injury in a motorcycle crash, you need immediate legal representation. Contact the law firm of Hardison & Cochran now to set up a free initial consultation and learn about available legal solutions.

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries and Their Effects

The spinal cord is a thick bundle of nerves that runs from the base of the head down the spine and into the tailbone. Bones called vertebrae surround the spinal cord, protecting it from damage.

The spinal cord is like a communication superhighway. It links the brain with the rest of the body, transmitting messages back and forth and carrying nerve signals throughout the body.

When medical professionals classify injuries to the spinal cord, they place them in one of two categories:

• Incomplete – An incomplete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord sustains damage but is not entirely severed. While the damage can cause significant medical complications, some messages can still be transmitted between the brain and the rest of the body.
• Complete – A complete spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is severed or severely damaged. The trauma of the injury is so extensive that messages cannot transmit back and forth below the point of injury, causing paralysis.

Medical professionals can further categorize an injury by identifying its location along the spine:

• Cervical spine injuries – There are seven cervical vertebrae in the neck. The first two have proper names, Atlas and Axis. The other vertebrae are identified by region and number. For example, an injury in the area of the fourth cervical vertebra would be C-4.
• Thoracic spine injuries – Twelve vertebrae make up the thoracic region and protect the spinal cord in the upper back.
• Lumbar spine injuries – Five bones make up the lumbar region in the lower back.
• Sacral spine injuries – Sacral vertebrae are not separate bones. Instead, they are fused. Collectively, the sacral vertebrae are better known as the tailbone.

A complete injury to the cervical region of the spine can result in quadriplegia (tetraplegia), which is paralysis that affects all four limbs and the torso, including some internal organs, leading to bladder and bowel issues in addition to sexual dysfunction. Complete injuries to the neck and upper spine may also cause breathing issues.

A thoracic spine injury or trauma to the lumbar region can result in different paralytic conditions affecting the lower limbs and torso, such as:

• Paraplegia
• Monoplegia
• Hemiplegia
• Diplegia 

How Motorcycle Accidents Can Affect the Spinal Cord

Spinal cord injuries and paralysis are common in motorcycle accidents because riders lack back and spine protection. Unlike operators of other motor vehicles, motorcycle riders don’t have seatbelts or airbags. Riders also aren’t surrounded by a metal frame. The vertebrae in the spine are the only protection a motorcycle rider’s spinal cord has. Unfortunately, the violent impact of a motorcycle collision can shatter these bones, causing spinal cord injuries.

Some common types of motorcycle collisions that lead to traumatic spinal cord injuries in riders include:

• Head-on collisions
• T-bone accidents
• Rear-end collisions
• Being thrown from the motorcycle
• Speeding accidents
• Distracted driving crashes
• Impaired driving crashes

One of the best ways to protect your head and neck from significant trauma is by wearing a DOT-approved helmet. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that wearing a helmet reduces a motorcycle rider’s risk of head injury by 69 percent. Helmets save lives. However, failure to wear a helmet does not automatically bar an injured motorcyclist from recovering compensation under North Carolina law. Don’t let the insurance companies get away with unfairly shifting the blame to avoid paying for their insured’s negligence.

The Devastating Effects of Spinal Cord Injuries

A motorcycle accident spinal cord injury can be catastrophic, impairing motor function and sensation. Severe spinal cord injuries often lead to paralysis, which is the permanent loss of function and sensation in areas of the body below the point of injury. Paralysis doesn’t just affect limb function. It can also impair the function of major bodily organs like the lungs, bladder, bowels, and sexual organs.

While it is easy to focus on the physical losses associated with paralysis and significant spinal cord injuries, many people aren’t aware of the profound psychological and emotional impact a spine injury can have on a motorcycle accident victim. Many paralyzed motorcycle riders experience depression, anxiety, social isolation, reduced self-esteem, and other mental health issues. Some may also suffer from the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Seeking Compensation for a Spinal Cord Injury in a Motorcycle Crash

Individuals injured in motorcycle accidents someone else caused have options for recovering compensation for their spinal cord injury and other financial losses. Working with our experienced NC motorcycle accident attorneys is the best way to learn more about your options, such as filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. A skilled attorney from Hardison & Cochran can review your situation and outline the options that offer you the best chance of achieving a favorable result.

The value of your motorcycle accident case can vary depending on factors like the cause of the accident and the severity of your injuries. However, in general, most people can pursue money for the following:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Loss of consortium
• Pain and suffering

Our North Carolina motorcycle accident attorneys can advocate for you and help you maximize your compensation through the legal process.

Suffered a Spinal Cord Injury? Get Help from Our NC Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Now

Spinal injuries from a North Carolina motorcycle accident can transform your life in unexpected ways. At Hardison & Cochran, we are ready to help you pursue maximum compensation by investigating the accident, building a solid case, negotiating with the insurance adjuster, advocating for you, and representing you in court if necessary. We understand the unique complexities of motorcycle accidents that cause significant spinal cord trauma and aggressively work to recover the money you deserve.

Contact our office today and set up a free motorcycle accident and spinal cord injury strategy session.