Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries from Oregon Trucking Accident Cases
The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system. This is the major information processing and messenger system of your body. Messages are sent and received then processed by the central nervous system from the peripheral nervous system, which is the nerves that extend from the spinal cord and travel to the tips of your fingers and toes. The spinal cord is the messenger superhighway between the brain and the peripheral nervous system. If there is any injury to the spinal cord, it could result in a disruption of signal between the brain and the rest of the body. Spinal cord injuries from an Oregon trucking accident are a common way in which signals may be disrupted.
This is because large commercial vehicles like logging trucks, delivery vans, semi tractor trailers, 18 wheelers, and other big rigs are heavy and powerful. Any type of big rig collision, especially a box truck collision on a fast-moving highway or interstate like I-5, I-82, and I-84, could result in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. This includes spinal cord injuries. Victims with spinal cord injuries could face horrible pain and suffering, lost wages, lost future earnings, high medical bills, and other damages. The extent of disability generally depends on the type of spinal cord injuries sustained.
Two Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
There are two general types of spinal cord injuries. This includes a partial or incomplete spinal cord injury and a total or complete spinal cord injury. A partial spinal cord injury is where there is some level of functioning and sensation below the location of the injury. A complete spinal cord injury is when there is a significant injury which results in a complete and total loss of function and sensation.
An example would be that an Oregon trucking accident victim with an incomplete spinal cord injury may be able to partially move his or her arm and has some sensation. Whereas a big rig wreck victim with a total spinal cord injury may have no sensation or ability to move at all.
Grades of Spinal Cord Injuries
In addition to the two general types, there is a grading scale for spinal cord injuries. This scale was created by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) and is very important. The grading scale includes the following classifications:
- ASIA A: Complete spinal cord injury with no sensation or motor function;
- ASIA B: Incomplete spinal cord injury with some sensation and complete loss of motor function;
- ASIA C: Incomplete spinal cord injury with some movement but less than 50% of the muscle groups have full range of motion and strength to lift upwards;
- ASIA D: Incomplete spinal cord injury with more than 50% of the muscle groups have full range of motion and strength to lift upwards;
- ASIA E: Normal.
Victims with Any Spinal Cord Injuries After an Oregon Trucking Accident Need to Seek Legal Help
All spinal cord injuries are serious types of personal injuries. It does not matter if there has been a very minor spinal cord injury or a catastrophic spinal cord injury, any innocent victim of a trucking accident needs to be protected. This is because Oregon law allows victims harmed by the negligent conduct of a motorist to obtain compensation for personal injuries.
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.
