Paralysis Lawyer in Charleston

Paralysis is a condition that occurs when a person cannot voluntarily move part of their body. A lack of communication between the brain and the muscles causes the inability to move. Paralysis can result from a car accident that causes serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries. If you are paralyzed in a car accident, you should call a Charleston paralysis attorney right away to get the compensation you need for medical bills and other expenses.

Having paralysis can be physically, mentally, and financially distressing. If you were paralyzed in a collision caused by someone else, you can pursue compensation for your losses. The experienced Charleston car accident attorneys at Murphy Crantford Meehan understand how important it is to get justice for your injuries. We can provide the representation you need.

Contact us today at [phone-number linked=true] to discuss your legal options during a free and confidential consultation.

Causes of Paralysis from a Car Crash

One of the leading causes of paralysis in collisions is spinal cord injuries. However, other types of injuries can also paralyze victims. The following can lead to paralysis:

• Spinal cord injuries: The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that connects the brain to the rest of your body. In a car crash, the impact can cause the vertebrae of your spine to fracture, dislocate, or compress, which can cause paralysis. The severity of the paralysis from a spinal cord injury depends on the location of the injury. For example, if the injury is higher on your spinal cord, near the neck, it can cause paralysis of all four limbs. In contrast, if the injury is lower on your spinal cord, it can result in an inability to move your legs.
• Brain injuries: In a collision, your head may hit a hard surface or violently shake. This can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which disrupts your brain’s ability to tell the body what to do, resulting in paralysis. The severity of the paralysis depends on the location and extent of the brain injury. For example, damage to the frontal lobe can cause paralysis or weakness in one side of your body. In comparison, damage to the cerebellum in the back of your brain can cause difficulty with coordination and tremors.
• Nerve damage: Nerves send signals between your brain and muscles. The force of a car crash can cause nerve damage, which disrupts the signals to your muscles. A crash can impact your nerves anywhere in your body. As a result, the severity and location of the paralysis depend on where the nerve damage occurs. For example, if the nerves that control your hands get damaged in a collision, you could have difficulty voluntarily controlling your hands.

There are two main forms of paralysis:

• Complete: This occurs when you cannot move or feel anything below the spot of the injury. For example, if your spinal cord injury is in the lower back and you cannot move or feel anything below that spot, you have complete paralysis.
• Partial: This occurs when you have partial loss of movement and sensation below your injury. For example, if you can still feel or slightly move your legs after a spinal cord injury, it is partial paralysis.

Symptoms of Paralysis from a Car Crash

The symptoms of paralysis from a collision may vary depending on the severity and location of the injury. Some common symptoms are:

• Loss of sensation
• Loss of movement or weakness
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Muscle spasms
• Uncommon muscle cramps
• Pain in the affected area

You should not ignore these symptoms. They can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening. 

Legal Options for Victims of Paralysis from Car Crashes in Charleston

When you become partially or completely paralyzed from a car crash caused by someone else, such as a DUI driver,  you can pursue compensation for your paralysis. There are several options for recovering compensation for your losses.

Third-Party Insurance Claim

South Carolina is an at-fault car accident state. You can file an insurance claim with an at-fault driver’s insurance company. All South Carolina licensed drivers must carry minimum car insurance coverage, known as 25/50/25. This means that they must have the following liability insurance:

• $25,000 bodily injury per person
• $50,000 bodily injury for two or more people per accident
• $25,000 in property damage

When you file a third-party insurance claim, you may recover compensation up to the driver’s limits.

Underinsured Insurance Coverage

Paralysis is a serious and ongoing injury that results in significant medical expenses. As a result, your losses related to paralysis may surpass the state’s minimum insurance requirements. Companies offer underinsured insurance coverage to account for the odds that a serious injury will exceed another driver’s coverage. 

You can recover from your insurance company if you have underinsured coverage and the cost of your injuries exceed the at-fault driver’s coverage limits. However, you can only recover up to your underinsured policy limit.

Uninsured Insurance Coverage

Drivers must meet their state’s minimum car insurance requirements to drive. Unfortunately, many people still drive without insurance. As a result, insurance companies usually offer uninsured insurance coverage. If you have this coverage and are injured by an uninsured driver, you can file an insurance claim to recover compensation up to your uninsured coverage limit.

Personal Injury Lawsuit

You can file a lawsuit if you cannot reach a settlement offer with the at-fault party’s insurance company or if your losses exceed their policy limits. A personal injury lawsuit allows you to seek compensation from the liable party for your injuries. You will need the services of a skilled paralysis attorney to recover compensation in a lawsuit successfully.

Recoverable Compensation for Paralysis

Typically, you can recover losses connected to any injury resulting from the collision. If someone else caused your paralysis, you can seek the following compensation:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation
• Counseling
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering

Contact an Experienced Paralysis Attorney in Charleston

Paralysis from a collision can have a significant impact on your life. If you have paralysis because of someone else’s wrongdoing, hiring an attorney can make a substantial difference in your case. 

At Murphy Crantford Meehan, we pride ourselves on getting our clients the verdicts and settlements they deserve. Using our skills and knowledge, we will vigorously fight for your best interests, including maximum compensation for your case. Contact our experienced team for a free case evaluation to get legal representation by calling us at [phone-number linked=true].