Not only is paralysis an incredibly debilitating and disabling injury, it is also a very costly one. The lifetime costs of paralysis are astronomical. Combined with the fact that a victim is less able to work and earn money, any type of paralysis injury burns the preverbal wick at both ends: increases your costs and decreases your income. If you have been injured in a New Mexico auto accident and suffered a paralyzing injury, even if an incomplete or partial paralysis, you may be entitled to lifetime costs and compensation. Ask our experienced Albuquerque auto accident lawyers at the Mark Caruso how we can help you today.
Understanding Paralysis Before Learning the Lifetime Costs of Paralysis
A New Mexico auto accident is just the type of accident that could cause paralysis to a loved one. Paralysis is caused by a spinal cord injury. Such injury could be incomplete, meaning partially severing or damaging the spinal cord, or such injury could be complete, meaning a full severance of the spinal cord. The function and sensation is different depending on the type of injury.
Motor vehicle accidents, especially New Mexico trucking accidents, are very likely to cause spinal cord injuries because of the sheer force of impact in a collision. The back and spinal cord are particularly susceptible in an auto accident. This is why many victims of 18 wheeler wrecks have significant back and neck injuries, including paralysis.
There are two general types of paralysis. The first is paraplegia which is the loss of two limbs which are the legs. The second is tetraplegia which is the loss of all four limbs. A high tetraplegia, meaning at the upper part of the spine by the neck, usually results in complete and total loss of functioning and sensation. A low tetraplegia, meaning at the lower part of the neck, will result in complete loss of the legs but sometimes just marked loss of the upper extremities. This means there could be some diminished sensation and functioning, but still some. Other times even a low tetraplegia could result in a total loss if other injuries damage the nerves originating from the spinal column and down into the arms.
Lifetime Costs of Paralysis
The lifetime costs of paralysis are provided by the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistics Center and are updated for the year 2019. The costs are broken down by injury, by year, and the average lifetime costs from the age of 25 at the time of the accident and at the age of 50 at the time of the accident.
High Tetraplegia – First year costs are $1,129,302, with each subsequent year being $196,107. The average lifetime costs at the age of 25 is $5,010,748 and at 50 years old it is $2,753,822.
Low Tetraplegia – First year costs are $816,019, with each subsequent year being $120,303. The average lifetime costs at the age of 25 is $3,661,165 and at 50 years old it is $2,251,944.
Paraplegia – First year costs are $550,381, with each subsequent year being $72,909. The average lifetime costs at the age of 25 is $2,450,234 and at 50 years old it is $1,608,015.
Injured in a New Mexico Auto Accident and Suffered a Paralyzing Injury? Call Our Albuquerque Auto Accident Lawyer for FREE
If you or a loved one have been injured in a New Mexico auto accident and sustained a paralyzing injury, you may have rights to protect under New Mexico law. Ask our Albuquerque auto accident lawyer how we can protect those rights and what we can do to obtain compensation to cover your lifetime costs of paralysis. Call the Mark Caruso by dialing (505) 308-1556 to schedule your FREE appointment.
We handle causes throughout New Mexico, including Las Cruces, Santa Fe, Roswell, Cuervo, Rio Rancho, Clovis, Farmington, Hobbs, Albuquerque where our office is located, and anywhere else throughout New Mexico. Please call to schedule for FREE appointment by dialing (505) 308-1556 or contact us through our website’s easy to use and convenient contact box available here.
