Portland 18 Wheeler Wreck Lawyers Explain Spinal Cord Injuries Caused by Oregon Trucking Accidents
All motor vehicle accidents are very dangerous and can lead to serious personal injuries. This is particularly true of Oregon trucking accidents with 18 wheelers, logging trucks, big rigs, box trucks, and other large commercial vehicles. These tractor trailers are significantly heavier than other types of motor vehicles. This means they generate significantly more momentum and result in more forceful impacts. Victims involved in trucking accidents are more likely to suffer from serious personal injuries because fo the increased force. One of the most common injuries are spinal cord injuries. Our Portland 18 wheeler wreck lawyers explain how dangerous and devastating spinal cords injuries are and what damages a victim may be entitled to.
Understanding the Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is the soft, gelatinous structure that is in the middle of the spinal column composed of vertebrae to protect the vulnerable spinal cord. The spinal cord is part of the central nervous system, which is comprised of the brain and the spinal cord. The main purpose of the spinal cord is to be the messenger super highway between the brain and the peripheral nervous system which extends out of the spinal column. These messages include for movement, sensation, and other important functions.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
There are general types of spinal cord injuries which could be caused by Oregon trucking accidents. The first are incomplete spinal cord injuries which are when the spinal cord sustains partial damage which may impair or limit some function. This means that some signals may be sent between each other but not usually the total amount. The second are complete spinal cord injuries which are when the spinal cord suffers a total and full severance. This means that messages between the brain and the part(s) of the body below the spinal cord damage will not reach each other.
Paralysis from Oregon Trucking Accidents
Spinal cord injuries generally result in a form of paralysis. There are two common types of paralysis that must people have heard of. They are paraplegia and quadriplegia. Both forms can be incomplete (some possible function and sensation left) or complete (lack of function and sensation).
Paraplegia is a spinal cord injury affecting the lower extremities and lower torso. This particularly means the legs and feet.
Quadriplegia is a spinal cord injury affecting everything below the neck or upper chest. This means the arms, legs, and torso have some decreased or lack of functioning.
Other Spinal Cord Injuries from Oregon Trucking Accidents
In additional to paralysis, there are other possible spinal cord injuries which could occur. This includes some of the following injuries:
- Fractures, including compression fractures to the vertebrae which could compress on the spinal cord;
- Brown-Sequard syndrome – damage to a part of the spinal cord with shuts down, causes decreased sensation, movement, or feeling on just one side of the body below the injury;
- Nerve damage – the nerves coming out of the spinal cord could become damaged and cause pain or decreased function; and
- Many other common causes.
Ask our Portland 18 Wheeler Wreck Attorneys for Help
Spinal cord injuries are catastrophic injuries that could be caused by trucking accidents in Oregon. If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of a trucking accident or collision contact the Oregon Truck Accident Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take Trucking accident cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.
