Truck accidents can be catastrophic. Commercial vehicles can weigh tens of thousands of pounds and are significantly larger than a passenger car. Collisions between a truck and a motor vehicle can result in severe, often life-threatening injuries that leave victims with permanent impairments.
Spinal cord injuries are especially common after serious truck collisions. If you developed a spinal cord injury after an accident with a commercial vehicle, you have the right to pursue legal action against the at-fault driver.
Spinal Cord Damage and Georgia Truck Accidents
The spinal cord is a critical part of the body. It is responsible for transmitting messages between the brain and the rest of the body, impacting movement, feeling, and function. Any damage to the spinal cord, nerves, vertebrae, and other components can result in permanent impairments.
Spinal cord injuries occur when you experience a sudden, forceful impact or blow to your spinal cord. As a result, the bones become fractured or dislocated, leading to nerve damage and torn tissues. Truck collisions generate significant amounts of force and pressure, which can easily lead to spinal cord damage.
These severe injuries can range from mild to severe. You can face significant long-term spinal cord damage after a truck accident, including the following.
Paralysis
Loss of feeling and movement
Loss of motor function
Incontinence
Digestive problems
Loss of sexual function
Muscle spasms
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty eating or drinking
Chronic pain
Muscle spasms
How to Recover Compensation After a Truck Accident
A spinal cord injury can be very expensive to treat. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), the average yearly cost of care in the first year of a spinal cord injury can range from $379,689 to $1,163,425. Estimated lifetime costs can range from $1.2 million to $5.1 million, depending on the severity of the injury and the age of the patient. Very few people can pay for these expenses without assistance.
If you are injured in a truck accident caused by another person’s actions, you have the right to pursue a legal case. By filing a lawsuit or insurance claim against the at-fault party or parties, you can recover compensation for pay for your accident-related losses. An Augusta personal injury attorney can help you recover damages available in Georgia truck accident claims, including the following.
Past and future medical expenses
Lost wages and loss of future earnings
Property damage
Disability accommodations
Pain and suffering
Who Is Liable for a Georgia Truck Accident?
To secure compensation in a Georgia insurance claim or lawsuit, you will need to prove that the defendant’s negligence is responsible for your accident and spinal cord injury. Liability will depend on the cause of your accident and the circumstances surrounding your case. Multiple parties may be at fault, including the following.
Truck drivers
Trucking companies
Government agencies
Manufacturers of defective parts or vehicles
If you plan on filing a Georgia truck accident claim, it is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can conduct an in-depth investigation into your accident and help you identify the liable party.
Your lawyer can also craft a compelling case in your favor and represent your best interests throughout your case, helping you recover the compensation that you deserve. Contact an experienced Augusta truck accident lawyer after your accident to strategize your next steps.
